Narcissus Persephone: The Representation Of Women In Historic Literature

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How are females represented in historic literature compared to males? Echo and Narcissus revolves around the story of how Echo’s life is ruined by a curse, leaving her only able to say the last word that comes out of somebody else’s mouth. Furthermore, it shows the struggle when she falls in love and how she is essentially disabled. Whereas, Persephone is about how the beautiful daughter of the Greek goddess Demeter, is manipulated and captured by Hades. Myths portray women as weak, objects of beauty that are used, and depend on men to survive in society, this could play a large effect on youth in their times of self voyage, showing them what literature says they are supposed to be, and how they are supposed to act. When at last, it is their …show more content…

They deserve independence and a structure of their own. Hades, “ the king of the underworld was determined that Persephone would be his wife, and he decided to carry her off by force”(Pilling 324). Marriage is a tradition that should be chosen by both halves of the relationship. In this tale, Persephone is forced into marriage by Hades and Zeus. The men believed they could just do/ take whatever/ whomever they please. That is why Hades first option was kidnapping; he believed she would not be able to escape. They had a sense of power that Persephone did not. Ladies need to be portrayed as beings that can protect and think for themselves, they should have control over their life and should be strong and witty enough to escape from certain dangerous situations if possible. Men should feel like they are not invincible, your actions have consequences. Failure is just as possible as success is. The power that men hold women is not fair, women should have strength/power as well, and this is something that needs to be displayed to children. That ladies can take care of themselves, and that they do not need anyone’s approval to be who they are. In the myth regarding Echo and Narcissus’s tale, Echo is blatantly rejected yet, she still seeked his approval, the approval of a man. She even goes to the extent of hiding in a cave in shame. Narcissus had died, “ and alas, poor Echo, desolate after Narcissus’s death, did not eat or sleep. As she lay forlornly in her cave, all her beauty faded…” (Osborne 7). The main character in this myth still had her life ahead of her, but after the rejection she needed someone to love her and that should not be the case. She pines after him and ultimately wastes her life. As human beings we are all completely capable of loving whomever we are. Just look past whatever minor flaw you see, and accept yourself and that is something

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