Feminist Role Of Women In Homer's The Odyssey

Homer’s story, The Odyssey, can be read and and interpreted two ways: as a feminist or sexist. The story has many prominent female characters that have a big influence in Odysseus’ journey home. The Goddesses Athena, Circe and Calypso, play a part in testing Odysseus while also supporting the feminist ideal. Penelope, Odysseus’ wife and a mortal, shows her feminist stance through her quiet determination and her defiance against the suitors. Even though the Greek view on women is extremely sexist, the strong female roles in The Odyssey show that the story has a very feminist view that is easily overlooked.
In ancient Greece, women were not viewed as equals to men. Women were property that were supposed to stay home, bear children, and look …show more content…
She is the symbol of feminism and wisdom, and her influence during Odysseus’ journey made him realize how important women are. Throughout his voyage, he encounters many powerful goddesses and monsters. Circe, a minor goddess, lives on a island where she lures men in to drink her magic wine that turns them into animals. She successfully turns all of Odysseus’ men into animals and uses them as bait to lure him in. Circe shows her restraint and power by letting Odysseus live and helping him along in his expedition. She is like Athena in the way that she makes sure Odysseus is learning something from each of his trials that he …show more content…
Some include the monsters: Charybdis and Scylla. These ferocious monsters emanate feminism. They are represented as evil, but it is not to be mistaken that they are weak. Both push Odysseus to the brink of giving up. First he loses more of his men to the jaws of Scylla, and then his remaining men and ship to the waters of Charybdis. This tragedy would have been avoided had the ignorant crew of Odysseus listened to him and not eaten the Sun cows. Both of the monsters were underestimated and showed Odysseus that women should be feared as much as