female power in the odyssey

A detailed Summary of female power in the odyssey

Throughout time women have had to fight hard for respect and the rights that come with it. Many societies have potrayed women as second class citizens, teaching that they should be subservient to men. There have been those who have spent entire lifetimes working to break beyond the traditional concepts of women and power. It is very challenging, however, for the sex to achieve higher status, when a society teaches not to speak out or against men's wishes. How can one try to express a more enlightened view when he or she is not allowed a voice with which to make it? In The Odyssey, Homer shows the reader an ancient Greek society where women are given specific roles and are often underestimated simply because of gender. Characters, such as Penelope, who keeps quiet at the epic's beginning about her wishes for the suitors to leave, and Odysseus' nurse, who obediently washes his feet, are examples of the chauvinist mind set. Despite the unfairness of the period in which the story takes place, certain women try in their own way to rise above the binds of tradition and show feminine power. In The Odyssey, through cunning manipulation and plotting three women stand their ground in individual p

Telemakhos, (145-147,4.3, 150-151,4.4)

rotests to get what they want; Penelope's trickery in evading the impatient marriage proposals by suitors, Helen's deceit over Menelaos during the Trojan War, and finally the control that Nausicaa seems have upon first meeting Odysseus each illustrate power possessed by females of the epic.

Alkinoos' daughter stood her ground, being given

The fact that she stays with the stranger, although all others run displays great courage on her part. She does not allow fear of this strange man's possible motives frighten her, standing her ground. She continues to show her bravery by providing Odysseus with clothing and a place to stay, inviting him into her own house. Even by today's standards, her assertiveness to remain in control is remarkable.

Streaked to the brine, and swollen, he terrified them,

As individuals approaching the twenty first century it is hard to believe that the simple actions of the women of The Odyssey are to be viewed as acts of power. It is only when one looks at the society described by Homer and the time period in which the epic is set, that the defiance of tradition can truly be respected for what is. Peneope, Helen, and Nausikaa, lived under strict constraints and were of a gender whose opinion was neither accepted nor wanted. These women are to be applauded as revolutionaries for their actions, no matter how small they may seem, in exercising their natural Feminine power.

and the fine warp of some vast fabric on it;

By sneaking to the loom at night to unweave her threads she is able to stall her decisions. She further buys time by stating that she needs time to pick a husband, giving the impression that she is indeed considering remarriage. Penelope's devotion in never swayed by the suitor's begging, presents, or their threats. It is her trickery that is her strength, in which capacity she will have victory.

we were attending her, and she said to us:

(98-103, 110-111, 2.3)

Some common words found in the essay are:
Penelope Odysseus', Focus Nausikaa, Characters Penelope, Trojan War, IV Odysseus', Odyssey Throughout, Odysseus Telemakhos, Helen Nausikaa, , , Odyssey Homer, Menelaos Helan, trojan war, epic's beginning, power odyssey, feminine power,

Approximate Word count = 1409
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Novels