The Representation Of Women In The Odyssey By Homer

Throughout history and stories, women have had many different depictions and representations. These days women are depicted being stronger than a princess that always needs saving and becoming the hero in many different ways. But that is not what this is about, this is an epic poem called “The Odyssey” by Homer. It is about Odysseus and his journey after the Trojan War and despite being centuries old, the depictions of women of that time period is surprisingly strong. There is Penelope, who is Odysseus’ wife, shows very strong mental strength as she continues to wait for Odysseus, Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, who gave courage, hope and mental strength for Odysseus and his family and Circe, the witch that kept Odysseus and his crew …show more content…
The witch that kept Odysseus and his crew for a year but still took care of Odysseus and his crew until they wanted to leave to get back home. In the epic poem, there were different times where she showed kindness and hostility. When Odysseus’ crew first met Circe she was kind to let them in and eat her food, but when they ate her food, they turned into pigs. She also tried the same with Odysseus himself, but it did not work because Hermes gave him a herb/potion so that he wouldn’t turn into a pig. Once she found out that he was Odysseus she then showed him gratitude, kindness and Xenia (hospitality). When Odysseus and his crew needed to leave to get back home, Circe was still helpful. “‘You must travel down to the House of Death and the awesome one, Persephone, there to consult the ghost of Tiresias, seer of Thebes, the great blind prophet whose mind remains unshaken. Even in death—Persephone has given him wisdom, everlasting vision to him and him alone …’” (Homer, 245, 539-545) This shows despite her original wickedness, she does try to help Odysseus and his crew get back home, after being on the island for a year, as safely as they can. The purpose of these depictions of Circe is to show that not all women will simply fall to the male’s feet and praise them. They have their own mind and their own way of dealing with things. In the end, the purpose of the depictions of women “The Odyssey,” by Homer is to show that women are not weak and that every men and women alike are strong in their own way. There is Penelope, who is Odysseus’ wife, that shows very strong mental strength as she continues to wait Odysseus , Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, who gave courage, hope and mental strength for Odysseus and his family and Circe, the witch that kept Odysseus and his crew for a year but, still took care of them until they wanted to