The Odyssey: The Most Powerful Women In Homer's Odyssey
At the time of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, society treats women differently from men, though the women possess as many or more admirable qualities than their male counterparts. This applies to Odysseus' wife, Penelope, as well as Arete and Circe, all of whom embody power, an important characteristic in Ancient Greek society. The impressive yet often overlooked traits of Penelope, Arete, and Circe reveal the true natures of these powerful women and their influence over Odysseus in his journey throughout The Odyssey. Penelope displays numerous vital characteristics which reveal her significance to Odysseus, the suitors, and all of Ithaca. Loyalty remains an essential part of Penelope, who patiently waits for Odysseus, and takes no new husband.
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Circe lives alone, but protects herself with trickery and witchcraft. She tricks Odysseus's men, and turns them into pigs, which shows she has physical power and wants to be left alone. Like Medusa in Metamorphoses, Circe defends herself from those who intend to harm her, lives in a large house and controls what happens there. Odysseus eventually out tricks her, but she then offers help to Odysseus, because she respects him. She lets Odysseus and his crew stay at her house for the time they want: "So she enticed / and won our battle-harden spirits over. / And there we sat at ease, / day in, day out, till a year had run its course," (Homer X. 513-516). She shows them fantastic hospitality, which convinces them to stay with her a full year, and later, she gives Odysseus advise and equipment for his journey back to Ithaca. Without Circe's help, Odysseus' already overdue return more difficult for his crew and him to endure, which positions her as one of the most influential characters in The Odyssey In conclusion, Circe, Arete, and Penelope's strong acts and exhibitions of power display their lasting influence over Odysseus, whose success and return relies on their actions. Their trickery, hospitality, and power establish them as heroic characters, all of whom positively influence Odysseus, but get little credit. Power does not always lie with those who
Circe lives alone, but protects herself with trickery and witchcraft. She tricks Odysseus's men, and turns them into pigs, which shows she has physical power and wants to be left alone. Like Medusa in Metamorphoses, Circe defends herself from those who intend to harm her, lives in a large house and controls what happens there. Odysseus eventually out tricks her, but she then offers help to Odysseus, because she respects him. She lets Odysseus and his crew stay at her house for the time they want: "So she enticed / and won our battle-harden spirits over. / And there we sat at ease, / day in, day out, till a year had run its course," (Homer X. 513-516). She shows them fantastic hospitality, which convinces them to stay with her a full year, and later, she gives Odysseus advise and equipment for his journey back to Ithaca. Without Circe's help, Odysseus' already overdue return more difficult for his crew and him to endure, which positions her as one of the most influential characters in The Odyssey In conclusion, Circe, Arete, and Penelope's strong acts and exhibitions of power display their lasting influence over Odysseus, whose success and return relies on their actions. Their trickery, hospitality, and power establish them as heroic characters, all of whom positively influence Odysseus, but get little credit. Power does not always lie with those who