Murder Of Eratosthenes

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Lysias' "On the Murder of Eratosthenes" offers a striking glimpse into the social expectations and household responsibilities that women in classical Athens had to deal with. The narrative highlights the important but vulnerable position of women in a society dominated by men while providing insights into the legal, social, and moral frameworks that govern Athens society. Women are portrayed in the story as necessary but submissive members of the family, whose value is determined by how well they uphold their husbands' honour and conformity to social norms. In this patriarchal setting, women are portrayed as morally inferior and vulnerable due to the harsh consequences of adultery. Women were presented as integral to the home, in charge of …show more content…

1.6). The 'Standard' is a 'Standard'. This emphasises the notion that women should be effective homemakers who are committed to their families well-being. Women were mainly kept in their own spaces, out of the public eye, and the division of the household into men's and women's quarters highlights the segregated nature of Athenian domestic life (Lys. 1.9). The 'Standard' is a 'Standard'. With the birth of their child, Euphiletos's confidence in his wife rose, implying that motherhood elevated a woman's standing and responsibilities in the home. However, this trust is also brittle, reliant on her following her assigned role. The story takes a sharp turn when Euphiletos describes how Eratosthenes seduced his wife. According to him, this happened during a funeral, which was one of the few public events where women were allowed to be seen (Lys. 1.7-8). The adage is a syllable. This emphasises women's precarious position in a patriarchal society by showing how their limited public presence made them vulnerable to male …show more content…

According to Athenian law, adultery was grounds for harsh punishments, such as the husband's right to kill the adulterer if he catches them in the act (Lys. 1.30-31). The aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid This law is a reflection of the societal perception that women are their husbands' property and that their adultery directly compromised his honour and the integrity of the home. The fact that Euphiletos chose to murder Eratosthenes rather than accept money in the settlement, which had become customary, emphasises the seriousness of the crime and the high regard for matrimonial loyalty. Furthermore, the speech refers to women's limited agency. Rather than actively taking part in the affair, Euphiletos' wife is portrayed as a submissive character who is corrupted and seduced (Lys. 1.18–20). This representation is consistent with the general cultural trend that regards women as less morally strong and more susceptible to deception. The slave girl's interrogation, during which she is coerced into confessing under duress, emphasises the lack of agency that women and female slaves experienced in the home (Lys. 1.18-19. The 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the 'Secondary' of the To comprehend these portrayals, one must

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