Role of Penelope in The Odyssey Essay

(Marquardt 1) Marquardt, in this quote from Penelope Polutropos, feels that the intelligence of Penelope in The Odyssey overlooked. Penelope's ongoing conflict with the suitors demonstrates her cunning and wity ways, but it also portrays her intelligence as a character in the Odyssey. Through Penelope's schemes against the suitors and her maintenance of her social status, or stature, Penelope has proven that she is equally as important as Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey. Penelope's well-formed…

In Homer’s The Odyssey, translated by Robert Fagles, the strength of characters is truly tested through the hardships that Odysseus and those who love him endure as he tries to journey home after being lost at sea for over twenty years. Penelope, perhaps, bears the majority of these hardships. Throughout the Odyssey, grief is commonly expressed through the memories of the characters. In the epic, the shedding of tears in the name of a departed or lost friend is considered respectable. However,…

Penelope hears about the disappearance of her son for the first time and is distraught. Hence, she questions Eurycleia who dissuades Penelope from notifying Laertes about his grandson’s departure. While all the females in Homer’s epic are different, they all endure the aspects of a patriarchal society, a civilization in which males hold primary power and predominate in roles of leadership. Penelope proves to be a central character throughout the poem. Through examining her role as the wife of…

into his belly” (Theogony 890-92). When he consumes Metis, Zeus embodies wisdom in unity with his strength, giving birth to order in the cosmos. In the Odyssey, Odysseus possesses duplicity and strength, but forgets the significance of unified wisdom and strength. However, just as Zeus…

Amelia Anderson Ms. Slevin and Mr. Richardson The Odyssey 19 November 2017 Forceful females Women in The Odyssey were very important and powerful. Homer shows the different ways that men and women are valued in Greek society. The women are often given less freedom and expected to act in a certain manner, such as being faithful to their husbands. The men in the Greek society do not control the outcome of the women’s lives and actions. Although the men often control large parts of the…

Ancient Gesture" vs. The Odyssey--Heroism The Odyssey by Homer depicts heroism as only possible out and about, in wars, in great journeys, etc., while “An Ancient Gesture” by Edna St. Vincent Millay speaks to that theme, making heroism a broader idea that can be shown even at home. The two different gender perspectives provide insight on both sex’s roles in society, which impact how they show heroic qualities and attributes. By appealing to a feminist approach, Millay reveals Penelope to be the…

In ancient Greek society, the roles of women play a key role. Women were supposed to be loyal and respected, but the men were not held to the same standards. The men could have as many concubines and mistresses as they wanted, but the women had to remain loyal to their husbands. There has been a long history of women being disloyal while their husbands have been at war. The different types of women presented to the readers throughout the poem all add to the different aspects of societal women in…

Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus has several interactions with women on his journey back to Ithaca. No two women have the same exchange with Odysseus, but they all demonstrate different variations of the masculine-feminine relationship. Instead of the traditional masculine-feminine relationship, some women give Odysseus help instead, some don’t rely on depend on him entirely, but some however, swoon for him and give him her aid because of it. There is a strong masculine-feminine balance in the…

The role of women in society has and will be forever questioned not because the world doesn’t understand her importance, but, because in a male driven world women just don’t stand a chance. This is seen to be true in almost anything, film, history, and most notably literature. Literature is the one medium that transcends time, race, and the ages. Literature also offers a small or a big view depending on the author into the lives, feelings and most importantly day to day roles of women. The role…

This research essay is to explore the invention of the female mind which involves women, property and gender in Homer’s Odyssey. In this essay we will go into detail about the similarities and differences of the many sources’ interpretation of the qualities that were necessary for a Greek woman to be considered a possible wife. The main sources involved in this research include “Primary sources” by M.B. McLatchey and “The Invention of the female mind” by Deborah Lyons and Raymond Westbrook”.…