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Society In The Odyssey

673 Words3 Pages

The Implications of Different Societies on the Same Story

Everyone loves to say that history repeats itself. Obviously, no event will be exactly the same as one a few centuries ago, but the undertones, causes, and ultimate effects of these events often line up almost perfectly. However, there is one thing that continuously changes with time— society. Society determines the details of these causes and effects, along with the little nuances of each and every event in history. In The Comeback by A.R. Gurney, Gurney does an amazing job at retelling the story of Homer’s The Odyssey, but with his own twist: setting The Odyssey in a completely new society, one reminiscent of 20th century America. This comparatively modern society that Gurney depicts …show more content…

Even in the beginning of the book, Telemachus speaks down to his mother, telling her to “go back to your quarters…As for giving orders, men will see to that, but I most of all: I hold the reins of power in this house” (Homer, I. 409-414). Here, Telemachus clearly tells his own mother to back off and let him hold control. Although some could say that Penelope’s personality is just that of a submissive, passive woman, I believe that it is the strong undertone of patriarchy and male superiority present in Ancient Greek society that both forces Penelope into this position and warrants Telemachus’ behavior towards his …show more content…

Gurney’s portrayal of Penelope is much more carefree and loose, which is directly related to the society that The Comeback is set in. Gurney depicts a 20th century America, where tennis is a common sport and paper cups are in common use. But, most of all he portrays Penelope in a way that reflects the times; Penelope is completely drunk and partying her mind out, and expressing herself in a way she would not have been able to in Ancient Greece. This aligns with the increasing occurrence of women’s suffrage movements in America during that time period, along with gradual changes to societal norms, where a man is not automatically considered superior to a woman just for being a

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The men were kings or soon to be kings. They competed for the wife and bragged, ate, belched, drank, and had sexual affairs with the maids of the palaces they visited. They were warriors, politicians, and heroes. They had all the important roles and there wasn’t even a thought of a woman having one of these roles. In chapter twelve of the novel Penelope takes on the role of a man by tending to duties that men were usually in charge of.

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The pathos and ethos of cultures is often discernable in literary narratives as expressions of the sentiment of approval or disapproval. Thus, the impact of literary narratives on cultures cannot be understated; the arts do impact and influence culture in both positive and negative ways. This is not a new phenomenon and can be observed in cultures as early as 6 Century B.C. and can be traced throughout human history. An example of this can be seen in Homer’s Odyssey, in which there are certain characters within the narrative that portray what is known as “arete.” Arete is viewed as a desirable character trait which some define as the display of perseverance, quick-wittedness, prowess, valor, etc.

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In the journal article “Rewriting The Odyssey in the Twenty-First Century”. The idea of Penelope taking control into her own hands, in a time when women did not stand up for themselves but rather were emotionally constricted is shown. Penelope’s demeanor is of a woman that does not let society rule what she can or cannot do, and because of this thinking she is able to have an advantage over other women and of men who are the ones in charge of any decision-making (Suzuki). Penelope is the second female character that is not a god that is able to maintain authority of her own in The Odyssey. This is ultimately Homer’s way of expressing his views towards the male societies of his time and their

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One way in which the suitors contribute to the stalemate is the way in which they harass Penelope. The suitors are both challenging and reinforcing the role of Greek women in society

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The Odyssey was the 20 year journey lead by Odysseus and his men to Troy and back to to their homeland, Ithaca. Penelope waits 20 years for her husband to return and delays the Suitors until Odysseus returns home. When he finally returns home he has to fight the Suitors and tells the Penelope who he is and she doesn't believe him because he's been gone for 20 years and she doesnt recognize him. This myth tells us to never give up and keep trying. In the painting Penelope and Odysseus, Johann Heinrich Tischbein uses the myth of Penelope reuniting with Odysseus to show that distrust and the separation lead to unhealthy relationship,while in her poem, “You Are Odysseus”,Linda Pastan uses the same scene to show that, lack of human connection can

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It is made clear by Homer in numerous occasions throughout the books. In the first few books, Homer depicts Penelope as the mother that depends highly on her son’s devotion. That is when Telemachus initially attested his

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Penelope’s power does not only derive from her position in her household, it also derives from her character. Her worth is measured by her action and choices and what others thinks of her. She is praised by men and placed on a level of status only equaled to men. The obvious role she played was to help her husband and his return, but the more complex one is her impact on the society and its rules that Homer depicted. Penelope was in the epic a woman who was wielding power in a misogynistic society, and she had to bend and break rules to gain and justify the authority she had over

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Corfiots playing cricket or drinking an occasional ginger beer on the famous Liston – a true, small-scale copy of the rue de Rivoli in Paris – where traditionally evenings kick off with cocktails, are just a few examples of any lasting cultural hegemonies of the past. But if Corfu remains an enchanting mixture of simplicity and sophistication, this has to be searched inside the Western Canon; suspending disbelief – an impossible task for any topographer to delve into natural objects connected to the Odyssey in the city of Alkinoos – and accepting that Corcyra is identified, as it claims, with the Homeric Scheria, the land of the hospitable Phaecians, along with the arbitrary, but entertaining thought that Odysseus was the first tourist treated,

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Despite the uncertainty of whether her husband and son were dead or alive (Homer 151), she continues to display strength and independence while patiently awaiting their return. Penelope is a beautiful example of an ancient Greek woman who upheld the traditions and values of woman during her time period. Despite the absence of her family, she continued to maintain and uphold her family name – bringing dignity and honor to her family. Each household duty that she completed was part of a larger goal, maintaining the value and meaning of their family name. While each one of these duties she accomplished might have appeared small in comparison to the achievements that the rest of her family obtained in native lands, she never lost faith.

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Homer, by presenting multiple heroes in aristéia, demonstrates nature as both inferior and superior to culture, with the

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What is the definition of a good person? The view of a good person changes as time goes on. However, the Odyssey is still the foundation of human morality. The Odyssey, created by Homer, is an ancient telling of a man named Odysseus and his journey home from the Trojan War. The morals found in the Odyssey show readers the benefit of being able to view situations from multiple points of view.

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Homer is one of the most influential writers in the history of Ancient Greece and even all time. Ancient Greece is considered to be a time period of great prosperity and a great time to be alive. In Ancient Greece poetry was very popular during the time and it was considered to be an art that only few could compose. Homer was and is one of the most famous authors that has ever lived. He influenced society and literature in so many ways and his influence is 2nd to none.

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It can be seen as a trend throughout history that stories reflect a society’s culture and values. One of the most memorable and inspirational civilization that made a substantial contribution to literature was Greece. Sophocles, a renowned Greek playwright, is beloved for his dramatic and action-filled plays that effectively satisfied the ancient audience. In Sophocles’ tragic play, Oedipus the King, the main character, Oedipus finds difficulty proclaiming his purpose against the fate bestowed upon him by the gods. Alongside his struggling, the values and cultural aspects of the Greeks emerge, reflecting their views on society during that time period at which the play was produced.

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Journeys always have a reasoning behind them, no matter if it is physical, mental or spiritual; they have a lesson learned from it. “The Odyssey” includes many great examples from the journey Odysseus went on. Going on a journey could be inspired by a goal to be reached, a state of mentality, or just to oneself or others. Primarily, characters or real people set off on a journey to feel a sense of accomplishment, or even to earn something. In “The Odyssey” Odysseus went on an expedition to fight in the Trojan War, but then it became a journey to return to his wife, son and Ithaca, his homeland.

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