In reading Homer's Odyssey, it is interesting to compare the roles of women as opposed to men, and to discover the differences between the two. By drawing conclusions from the text about the views of women held by the author, a bigger picture of the role of women in ancient Greek culture can be drawn. In The Odyssey we learn that women were placed on pedestals, as beautiful creatures, but were often subordinate to men, had little input and involvement in government, and often had to resort to deceit and trickery to get what they wanted. .
The glorification of the appearances of women is well illustrated by the way that Athena speaks of the esteem the people hold for Arete, when she speaks to Odysseus in Phaeacia. "No lady in the world, no other mistress of a man's household, is honored as our mistress is, and loved, by her own children, by Alcinous, and by the people. When she walks the town they murmur and gaze, as though she were a goddess. No grace or wisdom fails in her; indeed just men in quarrels come to her for equity" (Homer p.288). They think this highly of her, and yet, she is a subordinate of Alcinous. He gives orders to Arete, calling her "Lady" (Homer p. 306), but commanding her to bring things to make ready for the departure of Odysseus. .
Like Arete, who is said to look like a god, many other beautiful and high-born women are compared to the gods. "Penelope the Wise, tall in her beauty as Artemis or pale-gold Aphrodite, appeared from her high chamber and came down to throw her arms around her son" (Homer p.432). This adds to the glorification of women in The Odyssey. The beautiful Nausicaa is also hailed as a goddess. "Daughter of great Alcinous, Nausicaa, may Zeus the lord of thunder, Hera's consort; grant me daybreak again in my own country! But there and all my days until I die may I invoke you as I would a goddess, princess, to whom I owe my life" (Homer p.307).
But The Odyssey is truly identified as one thing, an epic. ... The hero in The Odyssey is obviously Odysseys. ... Odysseys conquers this characteristic in several ways. ... Odysseys travels far and wide just ti return home. ... The Odyssey is packed with them. ...
The gods in The Odyssey are who held Odysseus captive for over eight years. ... In The Odyssey both free will and fate occur. (Sparknotes) The Odyssey represents free will in that it gave choices. ... Works Cited Odyssey. ... (teacher) 2001 Odyssey Class Discussion Odyssey Plot Summation. ...
Hospitality in the Odyssey Hospitality has played a large role in ancient Mycenaen society and is even evident in the writings of the time, as witnessed in Homer's Odyssey. Hospitality reveals itself as a domineering factor in the way characters act and the way characters are treated in the Odyssey. One instance of the role of hospitality in the Odyssey occurs early on in the epic when Telemachus secretly set off to find Nestor. ... In the Odyssey, the good offered hospitality, and the bad fed off of the hospitality of others. ... Among all cultural elements of ancient Greek so...
In the ancient Greek society, like the society present in the book "The Odyssey," hospitality is exactly what was anticipated from the people. You can say that hospitality is kindness and hospitality is an important part of Homer's "The Odyssey." Homer's epic poem "The Odyssey" contains a reoccurring theme of hospitality. ... Not everyone is a gracious guest in "The Odyssey." ...
The Iliad and the Odyssey will prove to be literature that shapes a nation. ... The Iliad and the Odyssey became a part of the Greek educational curriculum. ... The Odyssey is a true love story. The Odyssey celebrates the love of a husband and wife. ... Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey in the eighth century B.C. ...
The Odyssey vs. ... The Odyssey, translated by Fitzgerald, is about an epic hero trying to get to his home after twenty long years. ... In The Odyssey women were treated as slaves. ... A difference is that in The Odyssey the women were known as whores. ... In conclusion, The Odyssey and Beowulf focus on the themes of women, character style, and religion. ...
Homer wrote the classic epic The Odyssey more than 2,500 years ago. ... Does Homer writing in The Odyssey support or refute the common belief of his time regarding women? ... Homer Odyssey is one such writing, which poetically describes the daily life of the Greeks in antiquity. ... The Odyssey is not misogynistic. ... In the Odyssey, dominating male roles were evident. ...
Odyssey vs. O" Brother Where Art Thou This paper compares the Odyssey to O" Brother Where Art Thou. Even though Homer's Odyssey was written in Greek times, the movie O"Brother Where Art Thou has many similarities. The Odyssey and O" Brother each start with an obstacle that keeps the main characters, Odysseus (Odyssey) and Everet (O"Brother), from their homes and their wives for many years. ... The Odyssey is the well-known story of a hero's long journey home. ...
