Roles of Women in the Odyssey, Sakuntala and Good Country People

Roles of Women in the Odyssey, Sakuntala and Good Country People

The changing role of women in literature from the late 8th century B.C. to the 21 century A.D. is evident that women have become more or less respectful in later works. This is portrayed in the Odyssey, Sakuntala and Good Country People.

In Sakauntala women are treated more like slaves. While in the Odyssey they are more less equals. However in Sakuntala, women are given more responsibilities. Implying that women are entrusted with more capabilities. Were as in the Odyssey women are viewed as toy things of treasure.

The Odyssey was written in a time where men played the dominant role. In ancient Greece played a subservient role. The society was ruled and governed by men. Women were included in they affairs of the society but were only allowed to participate, as the men who they served to would allow it. There are many women in the story, which contribute to the development of actions. In addition that the poet treats them with given respects and value as if there were no boundaries between men and women of the time. Among important memorable women in the writing include: Nausica, the innocent young girl; Arete, the wise queen and mother; Kirke and Kalypso, the mysterious temptresses; Penelope, the model of devotion and fidelity; Helen, the responsible middle-class matron; and others who have smaller roles but similar personalities.

The influential roles of women in the story also have important effects on the whole poem. It is them that press the senses of love, family care, devotion, and other ethical attitudes on the progression of the story. In this poem the Poet has created a sort of “catalogue of women” in which he accurately creates and disting...

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...salesman and being good country people. His bag turned out to be filled with bricks. He then leaves leaving her alone and disabled with one leg.

This is connected to my subject of women roles in literature because even though the women in this story are very independent they are all gullible and insecure qualities, which flaw capabilities of being dominant or at least equal to men. Reading and comparing the Odyssey, Sakuntala, and Good Country People can see the changing role of women in literature. The women in all three works are highly valued by the men close to them but not as much as society. Futuristically are progressing in later works.

Bibliography:

1) Homer. The Odyssey. Trans Robert Fritzgerald. 1961
2) New York: Vintage-Random, 1990. Kalidasa. Sakutala. Trans. Barbara Stoler Miller.
3) Literature 4th edition: Flannory O’ Connor. Good Country Pe