Treatment of Women in Homers Odyssey :: Homer Odyssey womody

The Treatment of Women in Homers Odyssey Judged by modern Western standards, the treatment of women by men in Homers Odyssey lowlife be characterized as sexist. Women in Homers Odyssey argon judged mainly by their looks. If weighty men and gods consider a woman beautiful, or if her son or husband is a hero or has an important position such(prenominal) as king, the woman is successful. The way women in The Odyssey are treated is establish on appearance, the things men want from them, and whether the woman has any power oer men. During Odysseus journey to the underworld he sees legion(predicate) distinguishable types of women. We cop active their beauty, their important sons, or their affairs with gods. We hear nothing about these womens accomplishments in their lifetime. Odysseus tells how Antiope could boast a god for a lover,(193) as could Tyro and many other women. Epikaste was called that prize(195) her ingest son unwittingly married. Some women are known for the deeds of their sons or husbands, but never for a distinguished deed of their own, their personalities, and what they do themselves. It seems the only accomplishment women could achieve was being beautiful. Theseus had no joy of(195) the princess Ariadne because she died before this was possible. Homer makes it sound as if Ariadnes life was trivial because she did not give Theseus pleasure. The only woman we hear of for a different reason is Klymene, and we only hear of her because she betrayed her lord for gold.(195) This is the only time we hear of a woman for something she did, and once we do, it is a negative remark. Penelope, Odysseus queen, is paid attending to only because of her position. Because she has a kingdom, she has suitors crowding around her day and night. Being a woman, Penelope has no control over what the suitors do and cannot get unloose of them. The suitors want her wealth and her kingdom. They do not respect her enough to assay feeding on Odysseus wealth they feel she owes them something because she wont marry one of them. unmatchable of the suitors, Antinoos, tells Telemakhos ...but you should know the suitors are not to blame- it is your own incomparably cunning mother.(21) nevertheless Telemakhos doesnt respect his mother as he should. When the song of a poet-singer makes her sad and Penelope requests him to stop playing, Telemakhos interrupts and says to her, Mother, why do you grudge our own dear minstrel joy of song, wherever his thought may lead.