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The Presentation Of Women In Homer's The Odyssey

623 Words3 Pages

In Homer's epic poem,The Odyssey, women are a major part of the story. In ancient times, women were very limited to their rights. They were expected to stay at home all day every day. When men would cheat on their wives it was fine, but when woman cheated they were shamed. When their husbands would leave, they would have to feel lonely while the Husband could go off and cheat. For example, when odysseus left Penelope all alone, he went out and cheated on her with Calypso. Although many people believe that Homer presented woman positively, the characters the Sirens, Scylla and Calypso actually suggest the opposite. First of all ,Homer portrays the sirens as manipulative. When Odysseus returns to Aeaea, he stays with circe for the last time. She tells him about some of the obstacles he may face on his way home. Circe tells Odysseus what to do when he passes their island.She warns him, “Whoever draws too close--/ and catches the sirens’ voices in the air--/no sailing home for him, no wife rising to meet him’’(12.46-48). …show more content…

The Sirens are portrayed as manipulative, as warned by Circe to Odysseus. Scylla is shown as ugly and scary, also warned by Circe, and Calypso is shown as a sly temptress. In the present time, we still have problems with women's rights. Even though a lot has changed since the ancient times, women are still seen as a distraction and as being manipulative. For example, some clothing that women wear can be called a distraction, even if it’s not revealing at all. People will say that it is a distraction of teenage boys and that they apparently can not get their education because of it. Yet, boys barely have a dress code at all. This example is similar to when woman in ancient times would have an affair, they would be shunned, but when the men did it, they would be viewed

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