The Odyssey, by Homer

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Homer’s Odyssey was written around 700 BC. During this time there was major social and economic change, which brought the development of new cities, as well as new laws to govern them. Political rights and citizenship in Greek society truly defined the roles of women in this time period. All of the laws governing the population of Greece were not only written by men, but also enforced by men. Homer’s Odyssey is the product of a society in which men played the dominant role. Women were held at a very low status compared to men. The most important role in which the women were viewed was domestic, as a part of the household, and primarily responsible for weaving cloth and preparing food. However, throughout Homer’s Odyssey there is many times in which women are illustrated as strong, empowered and in control. In this ancient society, Penelope, Helen, and Arete constituted an active force in sustaining the efficiency of their communities, and ensuring continuity of social and cultural heritage values. Although women occupied an entirely different position in society compared to men, there were three significant women in Homer’s Odyssey who held a certain sphere of influence and power, more specifically their power in peace weaving.

One of these women was the wife of Odysseus, Penelope. Penelope is a woman of many virtues, and through her longing for her husband and views about remarrying she presents to the readers a woman with not just beauty and intelligence, but also loyalty and passion towards her husband. Only a strong woman could sustain, for twenty years, the anxiety and heartache resulting from the chaos of a palace with a missing king whose outcome is unknown. Each year of absence, Penelope continues to fight for...

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...e and remained faithful to her King. In Telemachus’s journey to Helen and Menelaus, Helen establishes order and peace back to her palace by simply being back in her throne. Helen was showing her ability in peace weaving by reclaiming her position as the Queen. Similar to a puzzle piece, Helen completed the picture of her family as well as the picture of Sparta. Arete is the picture of peace; the ability to settle disputes among men is a truly powerful skill. Clearly, these three women are depicted as tough, strong-willed and they are treated with the respect and seriousness they deserve. Homer characterizes the women in his poem as the real counterparts of men; they make the peace that gives them the power to accomplish anything on their own in a patriarchal society.

Works Cited

Homer, and Robert Fagles. The Odyssey. New York: Penguin, 1997. Print.

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