preview

Roles Of Women In The Odyssey Essay

Decent Essays
Open Document

Typically ancient Greek women are thought to be very helpful, and powerful. Especially those who were queens or in major political positions of power. Contrary to this belief, a large sum of women in The Odyssey are more harmful than helpful. Women play a negative role in The Odyssey, constantly creating obstacles for Odysseus. They are portrayed as evil, manipulative, and even monstrous.
Many women in The Odyssey are portrayed as evil. In the first place, the women are seen as evil because they commit several wrongdoings, ranging in severity. One of many examples of evil women in The Odyssey is Circe who keeps Odysseus’s men captive by turning them into pigs. This is shown when Hermes tells Odysseus that Circe has captured his men. Homer writes “She has enslaved your men by magic.”(122). This presents how evil the plan she had really is, which was to capture …show more content…

Moreover, women in The Odyssey are discerned as manipulative because they are seen constantly impeding Odysseus and his men. There are a few examples of manipulation occurring, but the most prominent is when Penelope deceived the suitors, who she promised to mary. For example, Penelope promises that after she weaves a shroud for Odysseus’s father, she would choose a new husband. “She wove all day at her loom for three long years”(15). This demonstrates how she manipulated the suitors by delaying the promise she made of choosing a new husband from the group of suitors. Comparatively, another woman from The Odyssey who is manipulative is the goddess, Athena. She exploited almost everyone by disguising herself as different creatures or people. For example, when Nestor, king of Pylos sees Athena reveal herself from her disguise, he prays to her “Grant fame and good fortune to my wife and sons.”(29). This exhibits how nobody knew who she was when in disguise, but much to their surprise she reveals herself during the feast on

Get Access