While there have been changes in the male gender, the representation of females continues to stay the same just as it was in Ancient Greece. In 420 to 348 B.C. Plato’s Timaeus addressed the distinct sexual differences and desires between males and females through a gender-biased perspective. Timaeus mentioned a transformation in men who “proved themselves cowardly and spent their lives in wrong doing were transformed at their second incarnation into women.” Society attributed characteristics of weakness and cowardice feminine, so males who failed to achieve their masculine gender roles must be women. Timaeus is criticizing not only males that have more emotional tendencies, but at the same time condemning females because the norm for them was to be emotional creatures. …show more content…
Additionally, he goes on to explain that if females do not engage in sexual encounters and do not become seed holders then their “womb… is an indwelling creature desirous of child bearing – [but if it] remains without fruit long beyond due season, it is vexed and takes it ill… [causing] all maladies.” Since the only female role in this time period is to have children and serve as vessels of seeds, then it is acceptable that they expect females to suffer greatly by not engaging in their custom of bearing children. Women are belittled entirely in Ancient Greece by only having a single purpose of having children. If they were to go insane, it would justifiable because they are only needed for reproductive purposes. Timaeus’ audience is all the citizens of Ancient Greece because he wants them to understand what is expected of them and what role they play in