Portrayal of Women in Homers Odyssey Essay -- Homer Odyssey womody

The Portrayal of Women in home runs OdysseyIn 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, amongst Penelope and Eurycleia on the one hand, and Helen and Clytemnaestra on the other. In Penelopes case, it is made clear that her freedom of action is strictly controlled. Antinous feels free to send word 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, that attacks the suitors behaviour and questions whether Odysseus is dead. And so Penelope is reduced to using the passive and effeminate defences of keeping the suitors waiting for a decision, and resorting to the subterfuge of weaving and unweaving her l oom daily. We in any case witness Penelope being put in her place by Telemachus when she comes do...