Roles Of Women In The Odyssey Essay

Men are the main characters in “The Odyssey”, but women are highly influential in the epic as well. With a common theme throughout the poem(s) of: You can always find your way home, just don’t give up. In Homer’s epic poem “The Odyssey”, there are many women that influence Odysseus but Penelope, Circe, and Athena mainly control his course.
Penelope, Odysseus’s wife, is an influential background character in “The Odyssey”. Penelope not only stalls for Odysseus with the hope that he will come back but also keeps faithful while he’s away. In the epic it says, “However, each night, Penelope undoes the weaving that she has completed during the day.” (Homer 766). While Odysseus is away and the suitors are urging her to pick one, she tells them she will choose of them when she finishes weaving the funeral shroud. Every night she undoes her work to stall for Odysseus because of her love and hope that he’ll return. Meanwhile, Odysseus continues his travels to get back to her. The
Whether it be positively or negatively, Circe strongly influences their travels. The epic says, “Scarce had they drunk when she flew after them/ with her long stick and shut them in a pigsty---” ( Homer 744). When Odysseus and his crew encounter Circe for the first time, she negatively affects them. As she turns them into swine, she delays their trip for an undisclosed amount of time. After Odysseus negotiates for their freedom they stay for a year to refresh themselves and she stays away. The story also later says, “Circe prepares them for the dangers they will encounter as they continue on their journey.” (Homer 748). The second encounter with her indubitably less negative than the first visit. Instead of causing them harm she tells them of the perils they are sure to face if they continue. She gently guides them through and gives them tips to avoid death. Circe is a very influential component to Odysseus’s story, whether it be negative or