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The Women In Homer's The Odyssey

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The women in The Odyssey were in many influential and powerful roles in the story, including being protectors, such as Athena. Athena protected Athena and a sea nymph were the only reason that “Odysseus [with the help of Athena and the sea nymph] arrives, broken and battered, on the island of Scheria” (754). Athena along with the Sea nymph protected Odysseus so he could survive Poseidon 's wrath. Poseidon raised a storm to attempt to murder Odysseus as he leaves Calypso. Also, majority of the Olympians, including Athena, took pity upon Odysseus, with the exception of Poseidon. Athena was a representative of sorts for Odysseus among the gods. Athena in Olympus “begs[ed] her father/, Zeus, to allow Odysseus to return safely to his home in ithaca” (20/21). Athena wanted nothing but for Odysseus to get home to Ithica safely. Also, …show more content…

Circe is a perfect example of being deceptive. Odysseus’s men walked in on Cerce and she got them drunk. Circe “flew after them/ with her long stick and shut them in a pigsty—/ bodies, voices, heads, and bristle*, ad swinish now, though minds were still unchanged. So, squealing, in they went. And Circe tossed them/ acorns, mast, and cornel berries—fodder for hogs who rut and slumber on the earth,” (1040-1045). Circe drugged Odysseus’s men and turned them into swine. Odysseus’s men found Circe weaving a loom of ambrosia, while singing in a deep, beautiful note. Circe then seduced them into eating a meal of cheese and barley she made for them. She then got them drunk on a mixture of amber honey, Pramnian wine and, presumably, a pinch of lotus that makes “them lose/ desire or thought of our dear fatherland” (1037/1038). Cerce expertly deceived Odysseus’s men into getting drunk so she could turn them into pigs. Overall, Circe was a deceptive witch who tricked Odysseus’s men into her

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Part 13 of The Odyssey depicts how much Athena favors Odysseus and his family. First of all, Athena was determined to help Odysseus get back to his ordinary world. With this intention, she warns Odysseus about the suitors in his home, seeking his wife’s attention and trying to kill his son as they believed that he, Odysseus was dead. Athena soon turns Odysseus into an old beggar so that no one would come after him. Doing as Athena had told him to, he rests at Eumaeus hut while she goes to fetch Telemachus.

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1122 Words | 5 Pages

In Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, some might argue that Odysseus’s dishonesty and deceit cause loss of trust and negative consequences. However, Odysseus’s dishonesty and deceit do not always have bad intentions, it can be seen when Odysseus and his men escaped out of Polyphemus’s cave to get out of trouble and when Odysseus received help from his men to get closer to their objective. While lying is looked down upon, people

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522 Words | 3 Pages

“The Odyssey,” written by Greek poet Homer is an epic tale depicting the brutally enduring quest home of the Greek hero, Odysseus. Within this heroic story, women play a very large and pivotal role in Odysseus’s trip home from the Trojan War. In his attempt to get back to his wife, Penelope, Odysseus’s progress is constantly hindered by the intervention of women who will do anything in order to either convince the heroic figure to stay with them or have him killed. The intentions of the women in the epic are all very different but one of the most prominent roles lies in the seductresses and the alluring women who will deeply influence Odysseus. Most importantly, Penelope plays a large role in portraying the importance of women’s roles in the story.

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1063 Words | 5 Pages

Depending on the circumstances and on the relationship he has with the person he is talking to, Odysseus can guide them into doing what he intends through his clever wording and lies. He often uses his lies for his individual welfare, such as keeping his identity secret or receiving help. Other times, Odysseus lies for the well-being of others, by giving them hope and happiness. Odysseus’s utilization of lie not only reveals his resourcefulness in his cunning, but also his thoughtfulness for others. Odysseus’s lies, which might be seen as only a way to conceal his identity, actual discloses aspects of his and other character personalities we would otherwise not

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595 Words | 3 Pages

Athena would constantly reassure Odysseus that she would keep him safe, and he didn’t care about what happened to others because he would be fine no matter

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1005 Words | 5 Pages

In Ancient Greek Civilization, women were viewed as submissive. A man always controlled the women; that either being the Father or Husband. Women were forced to stay in the house and complete all household duties. Women were not even granted the right to attend assemblies, participate in politics, or even represent themselves in court. Having little to no overall power in your society can have a huge burden on Women but this can also fuel certain Women to strive to change the society they live in.

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1148 Words | 5 Pages

There are different ways for women to be portrayed in the Odyssey. They can be disloyal, sexual, and loyal woman that gets used for these things. Could you ever grasp a point of how you would feel if you were the one being portrayed? In the first section of the Odyssey, women are presented to us as controlled by the culture of the day, and it is only within that area that we can consider the way Odysseus provides women to be admired or despised throughout his journey.

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For example, with her ability to see what is to come, Circe predicts “destruction for [Odysseus’] ship and crew” (Homer 12.104-105). Circe’s knowledge controls the choices that Odysseus makes in order to avoid his downfall which proves how he relies on her guidance and wisdom. Her prediction determines the fate of Odysseus’ men and impacts the course of events that happens afterwards. As well as her knowledge, Circe uses her appearance to seduce Odysseus and keep him on her island. Generally, Circe is perceived as “a dominant figure that tempts and empowers men” (Phillips).

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677 Words | 3 Pages

In The Odyssey, by Homer, Athena influences the lives of Odysseus and his family. In Greek mythology, gods challenge and control mortals. Gods also provide support to mortals and thus, mortals depend and act on behalf of the gods and their decisions. Athena, daughter of Zeus, is the goddess of wisdom, and both Telemachus and Odysseus benefit from her power. Athena possesses the ability to disguise herself and others, and this skill allows her to give advice and guidance.

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In spite of the fact that Homer’s Odyssey is an epic story of a man’s gallant journey, women play a huge part throughout. Their unique yet controversial personalities, intentions, and relationships are vital to the development of this epic and adventurous journey of Odysseus. The poem by Homer was written at a time when women had an inferior position in society, yet that didn’t stop them from being any less influential. All of the women throughout the Odyssey possess different qualities, but all of them help to define the role of the ideal woman.

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954 Words | 4 Pages

In the epic poem, The Odyssey, by Homer, there are many female characters who play the role of a villain. Calypso, Scylla, Charybdis, and the sirens are among the women with the largest, negative impacts on Odysseus’ journey home. Though some women, such as Athena, Eurycleia, and Penelope, are loyal to Odysseus throughout the poem. With such a wide range of female characters, they all contribute different things throughout the book, whether the impact of their actions is negative or positive. Regardless of the outcomes, Homer has quite a modern view of female representation in his poem.

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529 Words | 3 Pages

It’s also important to understand that in this catastrophic event, no external help was provided for Odysseus. Even his beloved Athena did not aid him in the deep treacherous situation he had dug for himself. Despite these circumstances, Odysseus manages to safely return to his ship along of his crew members. After fleeing from the Cyclops, Odysseus next stop was at Aegea. Over their lay a witch-goddess called Circe.

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1204 Words | 5 Pages

It was through Athena’s persuasion that convinced Zeus to have Calypso to let Odysseus leave her island. In response to Athena, Zeus said, “You conceived it yourself: Odysseus shall return and pay the traitors back” (Homer, Odyssey, V.26-27). The only reason Odysseus was free and performed the actions that he did after leaving Calypso’s island was all attributed to Athena. Whenever Odysseus appeared to be in a perilous situation, it was Athena who always aided him. “But Zeus’s daughter Athena countered him at once.

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1401 Words | 6 Pages

Women are weak, helpless, and have no real purpose other than to serve men and take care of children. . . or so they were perceived in history. In the Odyssey, one can see that Homer’s portrayal of women challenges the depiction of women during that time period. Throughout the book, many women intervened in Odysseus’ journey home to Ithaca, for better or for worse. One will see Penelope, Athena, Circe, and other women impact Odysseus’ expedition home.

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384 Words | 2 Pages

Another time she helped Odysseus was when she protected him from the suitors' arrows. Without the providence of Athena Odysseus wouldn't have survived the events of The Odyssey. In book 1 of The Odyssey it says how "The story of Odysseus begins with the goddess Athena appealing to Zeus to help Odysseus, who has been wandering for ten years on the seas, to find his way home to

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