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 can be characterized as sexist. Women in Homers Odyssey are judged mainly by their looks. If important men and gods consider a woman beautiful, or if her son or husband is a hero or has an important position such as king, the woman is successful. The way women in The Odyssey are treated is based on appearance, the things men want from them, and whether the woman has any power over men. During Odysseus journey to the underworld he sees many assorted types of women. We taste about their beauty, their important sons, or their affairs with gods. We hear nonhing 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 own son inadvertently married. Some women are known for the deeds of their sons or husbands, but never for a h eroic deed of their own, their personalities, and what they do themselves. It seems the barely accomplishment women could achieve was be 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 useless 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 attention 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 rid of them. The suitors want her wealthiness and her kingdom. They do not respect her enough to stop feeding on Odysseus wealth they feel she owes them something because she wont marry one of them. One of the suitors, Antinoos, tells Telemakhos ...but you should know the suitors are not to blame- it is your own incomparably cunning mother.(21) Even Telemakhos doesnt respect his mother as he should. When the song of a minstrel makes her sad and Penelope requests him to stop playing, Telemakhos interrupts and says to her, Mother, wherefore do you grudge our own dear minstrel joy of song, wherever his thought may lead.