The Odyssey Research Paper

Zach Kelroy Mr. Pollard English 1 27 March 2024 Exploring Feminist Themes and Women's Influence in Homer's Epic, The Odyssey G.D. Anderson once said, "Feminism isn't about making women stronger, women are already strong, it's about changing the way the world perceives that strength." While one may not consider feminism to be in The Odyssey, it is quite present. The definition of feminism is advocating for gender equality through organized actions aimed at advancing women's rights and interests in political, economic, and social spheres. While Homer is not a diehard feminist by today's standards, he may have been considered one when he wrote The Odyssey. One reason is because Arete and Circe have the power to change a man's future. A more main

Written by Homer, The Odyssey is associated with feminism as characters, such as Circe, Arete, Athena, and Penelope. All have traits that are very uncommon for most female characters in stories of that era. These females are strong-willed and powerful, and challenge the social norms of patriarchal or, by our modern standards, sexist society. While supporting characters, Arete and Circe have enough power to change a man’s future. Normally, in the time of Odysseus, the cultural norm was to beg the lord of the house when begging. However, Nuascia commands Odysseus when going to her father's kingdom to “‘pass beyond his seat and throw your arms around my mother’s knees, for she can speed the day of your return,’” (Homer 6.126). This shows that Arete has the power to change a man's future if they have to come to her. Arete helped decide to allow the Phaeacians to help Odysseus, which in a patriarchal society normally would have been a decision only males would have made. A different character, Circe, can force men to “[take] on the bodies–bristles, snouts–and grunts of hogs,”

At the time of the test, Penelope does not know of Odysseus’s return, yet Penelope still gives the suitors a test she knows they will fail. This shows both her dedication to Odysseus and, more importantly, her refusal to go with cultural norms, refusing marriage. Penelope uses the suitor’s lust and says, “‘it is their plump sheep and oxen they should offer up as feasts for all [my] guests, and bring [me] fine gifts,’” (18.370). The suitors comply and end up bringing her gifts even though she knows she is going to continue to delay marrying the suitors even longer. These and many other times Penelope shows her intelligence to delay her second marriage. Although many powerful Greek gods were male, Athena is the most prominent and powerful deity in the epic. After Odysseus’s ship crashes after he leaves Ogygia, he gets pushed to shore, and “Odysseus would have died before his time had not gray-eyed Athena counseled him,” (5.109). This shows Athena had great power as she was able to help Odysseus and save him. Athena even challenges the male