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Feminism In Homer's Odyssey And The Penelopiad

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In the Odyssey and the Penelopiad there is a large amount of symbolism to portray ideas and foreshadow events. However, in the Penelopiad there is a clearer presence of feminism in the tone of the book when read, despite the fact that it is narrated by Penelope herself. During the time period in which the books take place, it is very common that people believed in gods of all types, sacrificing, omens, and magic. One such omen that is seen in both books yet has two very different meanings is the dream that Penelope has one night; of an eagle swooping into her yard and slaughtering her flock of geese. The difference in the interpretations of the dream in each book shows an added touch of feminism in the Penelopiad, a newer form of writing, as compared to the original Odyssey. In the Odyssey Penelope tells Odysseus, while disguised as the beggar, about the dream she had of the eagle slaughtering her beautiful flock of geese. The interpretation of Penelope’s dream that the beggar gives shows how self-centered Odysseus was, how power focused the men were and little care they took towards femalesby immediately relating the geese as the suitors. Odysseus as …show more content…

Women clearly have a larger role in the Penelopiad than in the Odyssey. Penelope and the maids are able to portray the power of women by staying strong while Odysseus was gone and being so witty as to deceive the suitors; and by seeking revenge on him for murdering the maids. The retelling of Penelope’s dream shows the reader that Odysseus wasn’t as great as he was made out to be and that he too made mistakes despite the heroism he achieved in the Odyssey. Women have an overall more powerful role in the Penelopiad seen in the narration and the behind the seen action the household while Odysseus is gone. It was made known that the women were much smarter and savvy than they were made out to be in the

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