Homer's Treatment Of Women In The Iliad

Women in ancient Greece, whether in The Iliad or not, are often subject to objectification and a domestic lifestyle. Although The Iliad was written around 675 B.C, it continues to display the hardships women had to face then and now. Many people remember The Iliad for the men that fought in the Trojan war, but what about the women who were not labeled or affect the narrative directly? Homer may have made up The Iliad entirely, but who can argue that with every story there is truth behind it. Perhaps, this is the reason why The Iliad has spread throughout Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond. Women with the social status of Helen or Hera are preeminent in affairs in which helps progress the story. In Homer’s poem, The Iliad, the author presents

From the minute Chryseis was taken, the town was torn apart, people were dying, and the battle between Agamemnon and Achilles only worsened. In this scene, Agamemnon’s object-like view of women becomes transparent when he exclaims “long before that, old age will overtake her in my house, in Argos, far from her fatherland, slaving back and forth at the loom, and forced to share my bed!” (33-36). Because of Agamemnon, the Greeks were faced with a plague sent from the all-mighty Apollo. This fatal punishment toward the Greeks, causes chaos within the city walls. Agamemnon’s men even go as far as pleading “Son of Atreus, now we are beaten back, I fear, the long campaign is lost. So home we sail… if we can escape our death” (67-69). Remember, before Chryseis, there were other women who directly affected the narrative involved in the feud. Helen for example, was taken from Agamemnon and this becomes evident when Agamemnon states “No--if our generous Argives will give me a prize, equal to what I have lost, well and good.” (159-161). Besides the fact women were objectified in The Iliad, it was clear they played an influential role in

Because she is a god, she is able to interfere in almost everything regardless of her gender. Those she disfavors often suffer great consequences especially in the endless battle between Hector and Achilles. From the beginning, Athena was directly involved in the narrative. As soon as Achilles was about to strike his spear into Agamemnon’s heart, “Down from the vaulting heavens swept Athena, the white-armed goddess Hera sped her down” (229-230). The first conflict was resolved, but this was not the end of Athena’s supernatural powers coming into play. The ongoing feud between Achilles and Hector was undoubtedly the highlight of The Iliad itself and surely enough Athena took notice. During the conversation with her father, Zeus, he advices his daughter “Courage, Athena, third-born of the god's, dear child. Nothing I said was meant in earnest, trust me, I mean you all the good will in the world. Go. Do as your own impulse bids you. Hold back no more.” (63-66). Obviously, Athena listens to her father’s words and it soon becomes evident her favoritism toward Achilles. Little did Hector know how significantly Athena was involved in the conflicts and it becomes apparent when “Athena snatched [the spear] it up and passed it back to Achilles and Hector the gallant captain never saw her” (170-172). Conflict is big in The Iliad, but a woman’s direct involvement is even