Women In The Odyssey
...times overlooked. Society is/was organized and directed by men. All of the most important positions and purposes within it`s routine were filled by males. This societal organization is often times reflected in many pieces of literature of various time periods, however there are texts in which contrary to the patriarchal society models, women are given substantial importance within the plot. Homer`s The Odyssey, Heart of Darnkness by Joseph Conrad and Aeschylus`s Oresteia each demonstrate or conceal female importance in a given society.
The Odyssey was written in a time when men played the dominant role. In ancient Greece, women occupied a subservant position. Women were valued, but vastly for their sex appeal, beauty or ability to continue their husbands` legacy by birthing an heir. Homer, however, defies these standards by giving women power equal to men in his literature as well as well-defined personalities, nevertheless, females are still classified into specific categories. The very first book of The Odyssey and the very first stanza even, demonstrate the driving force women are in the epic: "Sing to me of the man, Muse... daughter of Zeus, start from where you will..."(1.1-12). The narrator asks a woman, to inspire him to tell the whole story of Odysseus and gives her the freedom to begin wherever she desires, this foreshadows the importance of a woman throughout the text.
There are three basic types of women in the The Odyssey; there is the "goddess", the "example/good wife", and the "seductress/whore". The role of a goddess is of a supernatural woman, she is above men, however she concerns herself with Odyseeus` fate and assists him all along his nostos. This shows Athena`s high stature as a goddess, but at the same time belittles her status because she takes so much interest in Odysseus` mortal affairs. Athena is the driving force behind...
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