The Representation Of Women In Homer's The Odyssey
The Odyssey
Woman are represented poorly in The Odyssey and there are many instances where they are treated as prizes, tricksters, and plot devices. The Odyssey is often referred to as the journey of men but it disregards the fact that women play a role as well as men.
Female characters such as Penelope and the princess Nausicaa are frequently used as plot devices, while both are simply prizes to be on. Penelope houses 108 suitors who are solely there for the purpose in taking her hand in marriage. The suitors make it very clear that they only care for Penelope as a wife and not her son Telemachus. Evidenced by the fact that in book IV they tried to kill off her son so they wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting in the way of their future wedding. Nausicaa, on the other hand, is offered up to Odysseus as a bride in book 7 7 where her father says “now that i see what kind of person you are,and how much you think as i do, marry my daughter and become my son-in-law. Homer 95” This is only after heavy manipulation of the entire family on Odysseus’ part. In the context given the king is insinuating that since their personalities are so similar that they …show more content…
She is in constant support of both Odysseus and Telemachus. whenever Odysseus or Telemachus prays to the gods/ Athena their prayers are almost immediately answered and they always end up getting what they want. In the beginning of chapter 5 Athena expresses her support of Odysseus quest by “telling the many sufferings of Odysseus, for she pitied him. Homer 65” She wants the best for Odysseus and there are clear implications of one-sided romance as she continues to nurture him, especially when she takes action in book III to “Shed sweet sleep upon his eyes, closed his eye-lids and made him loose all memory of his sorrows. Homer
Woman are represented poorly in The Odyssey and there are many instances where they are treated as prizes, tricksters, and plot devices. The Odyssey is often referred to as the journey of men but it disregards the fact that women play a role as well as men.
Female characters such as Penelope and the princess Nausicaa are frequently used as plot devices, while both are simply prizes to be on. Penelope houses 108 suitors who are solely there for the purpose in taking her hand in marriage. The suitors make it very clear that they only care for Penelope as a wife and not her son Telemachus. Evidenced by the fact that in book IV they tried to kill off her son so they wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting in the way of their future wedding. Nausicaa, on the other hand, is offered up to Odysseus as a bride in book 7 7 where her father says “now that i see what kind of person you are,and how much you think as i do, marry my daughter and become my son-in-law. Homer 95” This is only after heavy manipulation of the entire family on Odysseus’ part. In the context given the king is insinuating that since their personalities are so similar that they …show more content…
She is in constant support of both Odysseus and Telemachus. whenever Odysseus or Telemachus prays to the gods/ Athena their prayers are almost immediately answered and they always end up getting what they want. In the beginning of chapter 5 Athena expresses her support of Odysseus quest by “telling the many sufferings of Odysseus, for she pitied him. Homer 65” She wants the best for Odysseus and there are clear implications of one-sided romance as she continues to nurture him, especially when she takes action in book III to “Shed sweet sleep upon his eyes, closed his eye-lids and made him loose all memory of his sorrows. Homer