Women In The Odyssey Essay

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The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful There was no shortage of powerful female characters throughout the Archaic world. In fact, many of the most widely renowned figures in history are found in the works of Homer and other authors from this time period. These women often play an influential—and essential—role in the story. However, despite the presence of multiple powerful and strong-willed women in works such as Homer’s Odyssey, the most significant of these characters were created as hinderences to the male hero by means of their sexuality. Through Odysseus’ encounters with the likes of Calypso and Circe—contrasted by young Narsicaa’s morality and Penelope’s fidelity—the negative light shed on female sexuality in Archaic Greece is apparent. …show more content…

An important time in a young maiden’s life was her transition from maidenhood to marriage. Narsicaa stands as an example of proper behavior for a girl this stage through her conduct with Odysseus. Although she does interact with the hero, she also acknowledges the harm this contact with a man could do to her reputation as both a king’s daughter and a maiden on the cusp of womanhood. Narsicaa does, however, express desire to marry Odysseus: “He’s like one of the gods who live in the sky. / If only such a man would be called my husband, / Living here, and content to stay here” (251-252). To exemplify her morality, this longing for the hero is expressed; it was her restraint from interfering with Odysseus’ journey that set her apart from Calypso and Circe, and made her an example for young maidens to look up …show more content…

Women in the Classical World defines a woman’s duty in marriage as “not only to produce and raise heirs but also preside over her household by weaving and watching over the domestic slaves and goods” (Fantham et al. 32). In fact, Penelope maintains all of these obligations over the many years of Odysseus’ journey home. For this reason, she is presented as moral and upright character, contrasted by those of Calypso and Circe. Women in Archaic Greece had few—and very specific—roles to play in their society. They were discouraged from giving free reign to their sexuality (as many of the men were allowed to do), and consequently had many negatively portrayed female characters to use as examples in their moral development. In contrast, those who were characterized as ‘ideal’ women often displayed some sort of restraint in regards to their sexual urges—or, like Athena and Artemis, were considered asexual

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