Powerful Women In The Odyssey

402 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Odysseus heroism theme

What claim can one make about your theme, given your chosen evidence?

Women possess power to disfigure one’s appearance to help someone they value without them knowing of the assistance they received. Athena, the goddess of wisdom is highly valued as one of the most significant women in The Odyssey, because of her numerous display of kindness towards Odysseus, a mortal that probably would most likely be evaded of his home if not for Athena's pleads to her father, Zeus. Before Odysseus encountered atrocious obstacles preventing him from returning to Ithaca, he was part of the Trojan war, aiding Menelaus in retrieving his wife, Helen, from Paris. During the Trojan War, Athena notably sided with Odysseus, lending her power which resulted in an ultimate victory for Odysseus. After Odysseus was set free from Calypso, he …show more content…

Oblivious to Odysseus, however, is that Athena personally interacts with him under a disguise of a shepherd, silently helping him without awareness that the great goddess is behind the elaborate scheme to get him home. This shows that women possess a power that can help people out during a dire situation without their knowledge that they're being helped out by a woman, and in terms of helping out, it can be similar to what Athena is going to do by helping Odysseus go incognito. In a similar case, Odysseus is ensnared in Ogygia, and it was thanks to Athena's dogmatic pleas that convinces Zeus to free Odysseus from Calypso's confinement. Odysseus is insensible to Athena's major contribution that results in his ultimate escape from an obstacle preventing him from arriving home in Ithaca. Being a woman, Athena's assistance without Odysseus' awareness plays a major part in the part, supporting the evidential fact that woman possesses great talents in helping others without acknowledgement to their

Show More
Related

  • Portrayal of Women in Homer's Odyssey

    451 Words  | 1 Pages

    Eventually Odysseus is set free over the demands of Poseidon. You can also look at Calypso and see how this goddess, nymph, has power. This is shown as Odysseus is leaving and she asks him if he would want to be immortal in return for him staying with her forever. This shows that she has power, more than many women, and can grant anyone immortality. Homer also describes her as lucky, that she is beautiful, but you can tell that inside.

    Read More

  • Athena In The Odyssey Essay

    625 Words  | 2 Pages

    Athena aided Ody in his journey home by providing guidance and advice on difficult obstacles. She gives Odysseus a lot of advice on how to handle perilous obstacles. For example, Athena tells Odysseus to go home in a disguise. This is the reason that she transforms Odysseus back into a poor, shriveled beggar from a godlike man. The new disguise allows Odysseus to get home

    Read More

  • The Hero’s Journey in Homer's The Odyssey

    1885 Words  | 4 Pages

    In every journey the hero also has a mentor. In this story Athena, the gray-eyed goddess of wisdom, has taken on this role for both Odysseus and Telemachus. Athena was by Odysseus’ side as a guide for much of the beginning of his Journey. Athena also is a guide to Odysseus when he’s not even aware o...

    Read More

  • Greek Hospitality in The Odyssey

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...o all guests saved Odysseus and helped him return home to his wife, son, and kingdom. Even though people from many different kingdoms and islands took Odysseus in their home and showed him great kindness on his return home, the individual who helped him most was the goddess Athena. In many occasions Athena assisted Odysseus. One such example is when Odysseus was fighting of the suitors and they threw spears at him. "Re-forming, the suitors threw again with all their strength, but Athena turned their shots, or all but two (p 566)." Another instance which Athena aided Odysseus was when she disguised him as a beggar on his arrival to his homeland. "Would even you have guessed that I am Pallas Athena, daughter of Zeus, I that am always with you in times of trial, a shield to you in battle (p 444)." "Your goddess-guardian to the end in all your trials (p 539)."

    Read More

  • Greek Women in The Odyssey

    425 Words  | 1 Pages

    The women in The Odyssey are a fair representation of women in ancient Greek culture. In his work, Homer brings forth women of different prestige. First there are the goddesses, then Penelope, and lastly the servant girls. Each of the three factions forms an important part of The Odyssey and helps us look into what women were like in ancient Greece.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Women In Homer's Odyssey

    730 Words  | 2 Pages

    Calypso feels that her sexuality makes her susceptible to unfair treatment by the gods. This further proves the point that women were objectified, sexually and otherwise, in Greek culture. It is important to note that Odysseus’ relationship with most goddesses throughout The Odyssey involves the act of sex. Athena, on the other hand, personifies both feministic and non-feministic traits, although they are not necessarily masculine traits. This is quite strange, however, as most women are represented as solely feminine and completely inferior to men. Athena is the goddess of wisdom and war. According to Homer, in the Iliad, Athena is portrayed as a fierce and ruthless warrior, characteristics that women were not generally assigned during this time period. At the same time, Athena is illustrated as being emotional, acting on her emotions. She has a

    Read More

  • The Odyssey: The Role Of Women In Homer's Odyssey

    1056 Words  | 3 Pages

    Women in the Odyssey were a huge component of Odysseus’s journey home. Without these women, Odysseus’s home would have broken down, and he would have never gotten home. His wife, Penelope, is one of these women. She stays loyal to her husband and never gives up hope on his return. She is curious about people and tests them to be able to trust them, just like her husband. Another woman is Odysseus’s old nurse, Eurykleia. She may be old, yet she puts forth the efforts and power to assist Penelope with the control over the household. She never lies about anything to Penelope and especially Odysseus. She also is kind of like a spy for Odysseus when he returns as himself. One more woman is Athena. She has the true super powers to help Odysseus physically

    Read More

  • Women in The Odyssey

    1471 Words  | 3 Pages

    Women play an influential role in The Odyssey. Women appear throughout the story, as goddesses, wives, princesses, or servants. The nymph Calypso enslaves Odysseus for many years. Odysseus desires to reach home and his wife Penelope. It is the goddess Athena who sets the action of The Odyssey rolling; she also guides and orchestrates everything to Odysseus’ good. Women in The Odyssey are divided into two classes: seductresses and helpmeets. By doing so, Homer demonstrates that women have the power to either hinder of help men. Only one woman is able to successfully combine elements of both classes: Penelope. She serves as a role model of virtue and craftiness. All the other women are compared to and contrasted with Penelope.

    Read More

  • Feminism In The Odyssey And The Color Purple

    1181 Words  | 3 Pages

    She is always spoken of respectfully and is remembered for her heroic deeds. She is not degraded like many of the other women Odysseus sees in the underworld. Everyone worships her and speaks about her achievements with great admiration; she is truly admired, but because she is a goddess. Athena has control over men that most women in The Odyssey do not. Women 's lives depend on what men think of them, on the other hand, men 's lives depend on Athena 's opinion of them. Athena is "Zeus ' virgin daughter" and no one has used her in that way. She is too important to be used as being an enjoyment for men; they depend on her for their own welfare. Another woman that plays a big role in this epic is Calypso. Calypso a nymph, a child of Zeus, and lives on an island in the middle of the ocean. One day Odysseus is sent to her by the god of the sea, Poseidon, because Poseidon was mad at Odysseus for blinding his son, the Cyclops. It is on this island that another woman is used as a sexual toy and is not thought of for her own achievements, but rather for her beauty, and the fact that she is the daughter of Zeus. Men in The Odyssey only value women who they can use for physical needs and wealth, such as the women in the underworld that Odysseus encounters, and Penelope. Homer shows us how men in The Odyssey consider women less important than men. The readers rarely hear of women throughout the book. When they do, they are shown

    Read More

  • Feminine Power: Homer's Odyssey Revisited

    1154 Words  | 3 Pages

    Homer’s epic, The Odyssey is one of the most influential tales to date. It is believed to be written during the twelfth century B.C.E and since then Homer continues to leave his audience in awe as he tells the story of Odysseus’ journey home after the Trojan War. This classic piece of Greek literature serves as a symbol for Greek culture. For example, Homer the relationships between host and house guest/parent and child/man and woman as well as the moral rules of ancient Greece. As the audience reads this epic they join Odysseus on his journey home and they are taught about the definition of heroism but, what is often over looked in this epic is the admiration he shows for women throughout this epic. His main character is Odysseus, yes, but he often highlights his wife, Penelope. She plays just as important role as Odysseus since she is his “love” and mother of son Telemachus.

    Read More

  • The Role of the Gods in Homer's The Odyssey

    870 Words  | 2 Pages

    Athena is the goddess everyone wants to have as guardian for his life. She went against her uncle Poseidon to fight for her Odysseus. At one point, we can even think that Athena is also in love to Odysseus because she has never him down. But the real truth is Athena is an amazing goddess who protect Odysseus no matter what because this is the Love she has for him

    Read More

  • Female Role In The Odyssey

    1080 Words  | 3 Pages

    She later sparks a flame inside of Telemachus to embark on his journey to find his father. At the first destination Telemachus arrives at, Athena appears once again in the court of King Nestor. She appears in the form of an eagle to represent that she is beside Telemachus in his righteous journey to find his father. When hearing of her son’s departure, Penelope becomes extremely distraught. In an attempt to reassure and comfort her, Athena appears as a “glimmering phantom” and says these comforting words, “Take heart, and don’t be so afraid. The guide who goes with him is one many men pray for to stand at their side, a powerful ally- Pallas Athena. And she pities you in your grief, for it is she who sent me to tell you this” (Homer 342). There are many motivators for Athena in The Odyssey. Some could argue she relates with Penelope, and provides protection for her household throughout the years. Others may say she is enamored with Odysseus because of their relating character traits. Athena basically takes on the motherly role of watching over both Telemachus and Odysseus. She monitors both of the men’s journeys, and allows them to go through tribulations in order to grow emotionally and spiritually. Brian Lower a literature professor from Union College wrote,” Athena allows Odysseus to experience the storm, but not die. She knows that it will make him stronger for it. There is an

    Read More

  • Women's Role In The Odyssey

    764 Words  | 2 Pages

    In history, women have often played a more minor role in society and are subjected to the actions and authority imposed on them by men. They do not have as many rights and are not taken seriously just for their gender. In Homer’s Odyssey, intelligent and powerful women are considered inferior to men. They are underestimated and objectified and are expected to obey the orders of men. Examples of this include Circe, the Sirens, Penelope, Athena and servant women. This portrayal of women suggests that no matter their achievements and actions, men always think themselves superior to women, demonstrating the subordinate role of women in society.

    Read More

  • What Role Do Women Play In The Odyssey

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    Some of the most well-known work of literatures in the world are examples of epic poetry. These epics consist of heroic adventurous tales that have contested time and have been around long enough to aspire many readers and writers. Two literary works that demonstrate the attributes and qualities of an epic is, The Ramayana and The Odyssey. Through the adventures of the protagonist we learn the traditions of the ancient world and its culture. Many themes are shared between both epics. However, the theme that stood out the most in these epic, was the influence and power of women roles. The male characters play the most significant roles in this poem, but without

    Read More

  • Oppression Of Women In The Odyssey

    2728 Words  | 6 Pages

    Over centuries, Ancient Athenian women were tough to be inferior to men and were seen as second class citizens. The role of women in ancient Greek was considered to be insignificant compared to Greek men. Society created rules to keep women oppressed to create the “perfect women”. Women are supposed to be loyal, obedient, dainty, fearful, a mother, and a wife. Women needed to be obedient daughters and housewives, and remain lower class citizens obligated to the men who owns them. Although the rules held women to a lower status, they refused to be subordinated by men. Women were often written as major characters, revealing insights on how they were treated and thought of in society. Through literary texts such as Euripides’ Medea and Homer’s The Odyssey, women have shown that they will not be imprisoned by the rules their society cast upon them. Women have shown they can be rebels. Oppression did not subdue women, hence why they were able to rise above Greek social domination of the male gender, and the laws and

    Read More

More about Powerful Women In The Odyssey

Open Document