Examples Of Injustice In The Odyssey

In the media project we showed how the Penelopiad displays the theme of feminism and injustice between social classes in order to tarnish the image of the Odyssey. An example from the text would be the modernized courtroom scene where Odysseus stands trial for the murder of the maids. The symbolic moment is the Judge’s decision to label Odysseus as an innocent man even in the presence of overwhelming evidence to support his guilt. However it’s not his answer that makes this so relatable to modern society, but instead his response as to why he shouldn’t be punished. As quoted from the Judge, “It would be unfortunate if this regrettable but minor incident were allowed to stand as a blot on an otherwise exceedingly distinguished career.” The excuse to acquit Odysseus of his

Atwood uses this to show that although times have changed, gender and social inequality remains prevalent even in modern time.

Related to the themes of injustice is another important characteristic of a standard epic poem, elevated style. Elevated style is formal language used to give dignity to the hero or to expose a self-important character in order to provide humor and satire. In the Odyssey the elevated style is the celebration of our hero Odysseus for accomplishing the treacherous journey to reunite with his “beloved” Penelope. His epic journey back home is referred to as “nostos”, which is a greek theme that involves a hero returning back home from a voyage at sea. Meanwhile the Penelopiad steals the elevated style from the epic and adapts it to trivial subject which is the unjustified hanging of the maids. This distinguishes the mock epic from the epic because the elevated style in the Penelopiad undermines Odysseus’ image while the Odyssey supports it. An example of how the Odyssey highlights Odysseus’ heroic traits is Zeus’ comment in book one where he says, “Great Odysseus who