Essay about Portrayal of Women in Homers Odyssey - 719 Words

The Portrayal of Women in Homers Odyssey In the first section of Odyssey, mortal women are presented to us as controlled by the stereotypes and expectations of the culture of the day, and it is only within that context that we can consider the examples Homer provides of women to be admired or despised. He provides us with clear contrasts, between Penelope and Eurycleia on the one hand, and Helen and Clytemnaestra on the other. In Penelope’s case, it is made clear that her freedom of action is strictly controlled. Antinous feels free to advise Telemachus that as Odysseus is assumed dead, it is expected that Helen will choose another husband, or her father should do so for her. Telemachus does not challenge the logic of this,†¦show more content†¦She should go to her room, and leave the men to men’s business. She is left to reflect, in her grief, on the developing wisdom of her son. In these examples, Homer is intending to win our admiration for Penelope. Her loyalty to Odyssey and the slim chance that that he may still be alive are taken to a heroic level, which defy the apparent convention of the day that a woman should not be without a husband. Her cunning in keeping the suitors at bay are also to be admired, and have a parallel in the cunning of Odysseus himself, as Odysseus is also often praised for his resourcefulness in overcoming obstacles. In Eurycleia, the Nurse of Telemachus, we have another example of loyalty held up to us as admirable. While Eurycleia is a servant, therefore of the lowest status, and there purely to meet the needs of the child Telemachus, we are told of her lifelong devotion to her task. It is made clear that in every sense she has fulfilled the role of mother to Telemachus, and that she has earned his love through her steadfastness. We also are expected to admire her loyalty and compassion when she comforts Penelope, telling her that she knew Telemachus had left for the mainland of Greece, and had sworn not to tell Penelope until Penelope discovered for herself that he had gone. In contrast, we are presented with the examples of Clytemnaestra and Helen. The former of these is the more extreme. Nestor tells Telemachus of how, after resistingShow MoreRelated The Portrayal of Women in Homers Odyssey Essay1817 Words   |  8 PagesHomer exhibit gender bias in the Odyssey?   Is the nature of woman as depicted in the Odyssey in any way revealing? 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In writing The Penelopiad, she felt she was able to answer those questions. The Odyssey is from Odysseus’ point of view, recorded by Homer, but is not the only version of the story as it was mainly handed down through generations orally, which can lead to details being changed. She wanted