The women in Homer's The Odyssey, like women today, are as different from each other as a rose is from a corpse flower. However, in Greek society as Homer depicts it, most of the women seem to be undervalued. There are women with strong characters; however they are not always shown in the best light. Calypso, through her beauty and power, traps Odysseus on her island though he longs to sail home. By keeping Odysseus on her island, she shows that she is a powerful and capable woman. Yet, Homer casts her as the hated jail warden when she does not release him. Circe is another woman who is called evil by Homer. In fact, evil is the very word Homer uses when he describes the meeting between Odysseus and Circe. Circe is a sorceress, so she is not incapable, but she too is shown as devious. In The Odyssey, many women who are independent and intelligent are portrayed as deceitful.
If strong women are, in Homer's mind, evil, then meek and obedient women must be good. Penelope, Odysseus' wife, stays at home and remains faithful to Odysseus. She takes care of running the palace and cries her heart out for her lost husband. When Telemachus returns from his journey, she tells him of the pain she feels for missing Odysseus and her disgust at the suitors. She is often described as loyal, good, and faithful, showing that Homer thought of her as a good wife and proper woman. When Telemachus arrives in Sparta to see Menelaus, Helen is shown doing normal household chores: spinning and greeting guests. Homer grants her the gifts of beauty and great standing. Homer's commending of weak women and less than flattering depiction of strong ones show that his view of women was traditional and sexist.
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3 comments:
Well done Emily. I think this is a original take on this question. I personally would have not that of contrasting powerful women to obedient women. I would tend to agree with your agruement that Homer potrays the meek women in a better light than the capable ones. However, also note that Penelope ends up with Odysseus rather than Calypso or Circe
I really like your thoughts on the light Homer portrays women in The Odyssey. I agree that Homer establishes some stereotypes on what makes an "evil" woman and what makes a "good" woman. You have some excellent ideas, but I think you're supposed to add quotes in your post. Nice job though.
Wow you have some really awesome examples. I agree (hard not to after your argument) that Homer stereotypes women. He seems to be on the surface about how he describes the women. The reader knows theres more depth to the women, but Zues doesn't really give them the time of day. I really like your ideas all the different women you used. Its cool to think that now women have so many rights that they didn't used to have, even in acienct Greece.
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