The odyssey by Homer is the second work of western literature.It is a heroic poem about the return of Odysseus from Troy to reclaim his treatened home in Ithaca.He suffered great anguish and suffering on the high seas in his quest to reconcile with his beautiful wife Penelope and son Telemachus. It is a superb story rich in incident,adventures,character,reconciling the heroic with the humble ,reality with fantasy and the intimate with the divine. But more than anything, it is a product of society.

The literature of this sort is of masculine society, of which the Odyssey is an example which aptly illustrates these social conventions. The theme of this work is relating to subjects which are of interest to men; warfare, hunting, the problems of the warrior and ruler, and so forth. That which would concern women such as domestic affairs is not involved in this literature, or is dealt with only casually. But one cannot help noting the great difference between the Odyssey and all other epic poems. No other literary work of this period, or of a similar cultural background gives such a prominent position to women. No reader of the Odyssey can help having vivid memori

Another gutsy woman who helped Odysseus was Nausicca, the daughter of the king Alcinous. When she finds Odysseus naked near the sea she faces him courageously and advices him on how to win her father. Arete her mother also influences Alcinous in his decision to help Odysseus.

And the last but not the least, let me not forget to mention Goddess Athene, the homeric woman who breaks the mould. Without her powers and help Odysseus would never have reached his home alive. Every step of the way she is with him , advicing him and using her magical prowses to get him out of trouble. She also helps Telemachus in becoming a more mature, responsible, wise and courageous man. Without her by his side Odysseus would never have survived. In a way, it proves the Quotation.

The most lovable woman in Odyssey is Penelope,the lovely wife of Odysseus whoes thoughts inspire him to undertake a dangerous journey back home.The entire period of her separation from odysseus she remains loyal and faithful to him. She waits for his return desperately and cries in his memory.Penelope makes us believe that the word 'Love' truly exists. Not only is she beautiful but wise, kind and humble. Infact she is also very clever for example we can take the instance where she delays her decision to marry one of the suitors by announcing that she would marry only after she finished weaving her rug. During daytime she would weave and at night unravel it.

outwits Circe.She is certainly impressed with the man who could resist her charms, and offers herself to him in exchange for his men. Odysseus and his men stay there for many days.

Among the memorable women in The Odyssey, one of the most prominent is Helen, wife of Menelaus and the most beautiful mortal woman in the world. She was the cause of the Trojan war which finally brought about the fall of Troy. It is her beauty that brought about the total destruction of an Empire and she was the reason that the great greek epics, Illiad and Odyssey were written.

years, a woman's role in society has only begun to emerge. Homer's society, however so well developed it seemed to have come much too early for anyone of his time to appreciate its significance. The role of women in Homer's society and in modern day society closely resemble each o

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1541
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)