Women in Homers Odyssey - Book Report/Review Example

Women in Homer’s Odyssey Introduction Homer, the great poet of Greece through his great epics celebrated the glorious heroes and warriors of his society. The main concern of the old, blind bard was to depict the heroic deeds and exploits of heroes. Brave and wise men were the concern of this great poet. That’s why men dominate in both the celebrated epics of Homer. However, Homer has given some role and space to women in his sequel to Illiad. As this poem depicts the peace time activities and the condition of the houses of the heroes, there is some considerable mention of the wives and beloveds of heroes like Odyseuss. The gender roles especially the role of women in society presented in Odyssey is actually the reflection of the perception of the then Greek society which did not see any roles of women during the war but saw them as the mistress of house who remained busy in weaving and spinning and giving orders to maids. Telemachus’ attitude with his mother in Book 1 and Book of Odyssey shows how the men of the society viewed women’s role in society. Man is the real master of house Homer depicted Greek society engaged in epic wars where the whole life of the people consumed in fighting against their enemies. These wars took years and the warrior took a long time to get back to their homes. Sometimes homecoming took so much time as is the case of Odyseuss. This situation gave women a sort of importance at home. They had to run the affairs of house at home as we see that in absence of her husband Penelope has to face the suitors who have come to propose her due to the supposed death of Odysesus. She spends time in entertaining the suitors at feast as she is the mistress of house. But this role is not accepted by the men of the family. We find that Telemachus shows his resentment when he sees his mother among the suitors at feast suggesting Phemios to sing a different song as the song he was singing reminded her of the loss of her beloved husband and she being a women could not bear the account that tragic event. Telemachus admonishes Penelope on this as he thinks that she is showing weakness quite characteristic of her gender. Greek society viewed women as a weaker gender who had soft hearts. Penelope herself expresses her weakness in the following words: Don’t keep up that painful song, Which always breaks the heart her in my chest For, more than anyone, I am weighed down with ceaseless grief which I cannot forget (1. 460-463). The rest of the speech of Telemachus is actually an apt assessment of gender roles as defined by Greek men. Telemachus asks her: Go up to your rooms and keep busy there With your own work, the spindle and the loom. Tell your servants to perform their duties. (1.481-83). He also makes her realize that he is the master of the house in regard to matters concerning men. He is to decide what is to happen in their household when there is any activity concerning men. Penelope accepts this without any protest and thinks upon the advice of her son. Similarly in the episode of contest of Odyesseus’ bow where Penelope at first tries to be the in charge of the proceedings. But she is reminded by her son that this again is a manly task and the decision should be taken by the man of the house. He again repeats that his mother should do her jobs of weaving and spinning and should tell the servants about their duties. He says: The bow will be A matter for the men , especially me, Since the power in this house is mine ( 21. 446-48). Exceptional case of a dominant woman In Odysseus’ household men have been shown as dominant characters but we see that in land of Phaeacians, queen Arete enjoys some sort of authority and Odysseus is advised by Athena to meet her in supplication. Odyssues shows submission to the queen as he thinks that through her help he would be able to reach his home safely. He entreats the queen: Arete, daughter of godlike Rexenor, I’ve come to you and to your husband here To your knees, in supplication to you— (7.171-73). In Arete’s character we see a different status of women in Greek society. The male hero shows complete submission to the queen. This might be a shift of gender roles in Greek society. The idea of revival of matriarchy of ancient Greek society in character of Arete has been rejected as far fetched by Whittaker who has done a relevant study on the gender roles in Greek epics. The other reason might be the case that Scheria is not modeled on the socio-political constructs of Sparta and Pylos. Hence, the gender roles there may have some different definition. But the close reading of the sections of poem on Scheria brings into light the reality of this status. This exclusive status of Arete as a women enjoying power and authority is temporary. Whittaker analyses this situation and sums up thus: In any case, the prominence of Arete is not consistently maintained: throughout the Phaiakian section of the poem, the king Alkinous repeatedly exercises unmistakable and unchallenged royal authority, and it is explicitly stated that word and deed in Skehrie depend on Alkinous( 34). Conclusion To conclude we can say that Odyssey presents Greek society or Homeric society as a male dominant society where women only have certain specific jobs to do at home. The men have to decide the serious affairs of the house. The decision power lies with men and the women have to accept their status without any protest. Submission to men’s will is the task that has been assigned to Greek women. We can see some exceptions in the form of Arete but these exceptions are rare. The main perception about the Greek women is reflected in Telemachus’ speeches. Works Cited Homer, , and Ian C. Johnston. The Odyssey. Arlington, Va: Richer Resources Publications, 2006. Print.: Whittaker, Helene. "Gender Roles in The Odyssey." Ed. Brit Berggreen and Nanno Marinatos. Greece & Gender. Bergen: Norwegian Institute at Athens, 1995. 29-41. Print. Read More