Student Kappa
Mr. Wu
English
28 May 2015
What can we learn about women’s role in society and their relationship with men in Ancient Greece according to Homer.
In Ancient Greece, there were serious patriarticte customs. Always men were the first, and women had to obey to men. In this book ‘Odyssey’, also mentions about women’s role in society and their relationship with men in Ancient Greece. Especially, Krike and Penelope, who are the woman characters in this book, showed the roles clearly.
Krike is the daughter between Hellos, god of the Sun, and Perse, the child of the Ocean stream. She is kind of temper who is using her beauty to attracts men. When Odysseus and his followers arrived in Aiaia Island, they had met Krike. She had ability that changes human to pig. The followers, owned by Odysseus, were all changed to pigs. However, Odysseus could be safe, because he had eaten the medical plants what Hermes gave. He pleased Krike to change his followers to be humans back. Krike fell in love through his brave, ability and wit. “What champion, of what country can you be? Where are your kinsmen and your city? Are you not sluggish my wine? Ah, wonder!.....Odysseus then you are, O great contender of whom the glittering god with golden wand spoke to me ever, and foretold the black swift ship would carry you from(Book 10, Line 359)”. Kirke tried to attract him by her beauty and figure. It mentions that Ancient Greeks prefer the woman’s beauty like now. However, Odysseus, who missed his wife and hometown, controlled himself very well. “Kieke, am I boy, that you should make me soft and doting now?...you have me stripped. I mount no bed of love with you upon it. Or swear me first a great oath, if I do, you’ll work no more enchantment to my harm. (Book 10, Line 368)”. Although Krike had all of the advantages that Ancient Greeks desire, Odysseus didn’t be attract to her finally.
Penelope, who is the wife of Odsseus, was very common women in that society. Even though Odysseus enjoyed with many women during his adventure, Penelope waited him until Odysseus comes back. The suitors, who want to take Odysseus’ own property and throne, tried to attract her, but she just missing her husband Odysseus, and rejected all of the suitors. “The lady gazed in wonder and with drew, her son’s clear wisdom echoing in her mind. But when she had mounted to her rooms again with her two handmaids, then she fell to weeping for Odysseus, her husband. Grey eyed Athena presently cast a sweet sleep on her eyes. (Book one Line 397)”. She is the most expressed well as Greeks women at that time. In Ancient Greece, women had to wait her husband straightly. Penelope just waited Odysseus although he cheated on her many times. It showed the patrarticle at that time. Penelope wanted to reject to get marriage with other men. However she couldn’t say anything, because she didn’t have any right to say her opinions to other people. So Telemakhos, who is the son between Penelope and Odysseus, always said Penelope’s opinion to others. “Friend, now that you ask about these matters, out house was always princely…… Doulikhion and Same, wooded Zakynthos, and rocky Ithaka’s young lords as well, are here courting my mother; and they use our house as if it were a house to plunder. Spurn them she dare not, though she hates that marriage, nor can he bring herself to choose among them. (Book one Line 270)”. Like this, Penelope still waiting his husband to comeback.
Two characters (Kirke and Penelope) are good examples of the women’s role in that community and relationship between women and men in Ancient Greece. At that time, the pathiarticle was very serious. There was no right and the roleS of woman were just for release men’s stress. The sexual racism still exists in current social. I wish it can disappear as soon as possible.
Mr. Wu
English
28 May 2015
What can we learn about women’s role in society and their relationship with men in Ancient Greece according to Homer.
In Ancient Greece, there were serious patriarticte customs. Always men were the first, and women had to obey to men. In this book ‘Odyssey’, also mentions about women’s role in society and their relationship with men in Ancient Greece. Especially, Krike and Penelope, who are the woman characters in this book, showed the roles clearly.
Krike is the daughter between Hellos, god of the Sun, and Perse, the child of the Ocean stream. She is kind of temper who is using her beauty to attracts men. When Odysseus and his followers arrived in Aiaia Island, they had met Krike. She had ability that changes human to pig. The followers, owned by Odysseus, were all changed to pigs. However, Odysseus could be safe, because he had eaten the medical plants what Hermes gave. He pleased Krike to change his followers to be humans back. Krike fell in love through his brave, ability and wit. “What champion, of what country can you be? Where are your kinsmen and your city? Are you not sluggish my wine? Ah, wonder!.....Odysseus then you are, O great contender of whom the glittering god with golden wand spoke to me ever, and foretold the black swift ship would carry you from(Book 10, Line 359)”. Kirke tried to attract him by her beauty and figure. It mentions that Ancient Greeks prefer the woman’s beauty like now. However, Odysseus, who missed his wife and hometown, controlled himself very well. “Kieke, am I boy, that you should make me soft and doting now?...you have me stripped. I mount no bed of love with you upon it. Or swear me first a great oath, if I do, you’ll work no more enchantment to my harm. (Book 10, Line 368)”. Although Krike had all of the advantages that Ancient Greeks desire, Odysseus didn’t be attract to her finally.
Penelope, who is the wife of Odsseus, was very common women in that society. Even though Odysseus enjoyed with many women during his adventure, Penelope waited him until Odysseus comes back. The suitors, who want to take Odysseus’ own property and throne, tried to attract her, but she just missing her husband Odysseus, and rejected all of the suitors. “The lady gazed in wonder and with drew, her son’s clear wisdom echoing in her mind. But when she had mounted to her rooms again with her two handmaids, then she fell to weeping for Odysseus, her husband. Grey eyed Athena presently cast a sweet sleep on her eyes. (Book one Line 397)”. She is the most expressed well as Greeks women at that time. In Ancient Greece, women had to wait her husband straightly. Penelope just waited Odysseus although he cheated on her many times. It showed the patrarticle at that time. Penelope wanted to reject to get marriage with other men. However she couldn’t say anything, because she didn’t have any right to say her opinions to other people. So Telemakhos, who is the son between Penelope and Odysseus, always said Penelope’s opinion to others. “Friend, now that you ask about these matters, out house was always princely…… Doulikhion and Same, wooded Zakynthos, and rocky Ithaka’s young lords as well, are here courting my mother; and they use our house as if it were a house to plunder. Spurn them she dare not, though she hates that marriage, nor can he bring herself to choose among them. (Book one Line 270)”. Like this, Penelope still waiting his husband to comeback.
Two characters (Kirke and Penelope) are good examples of the women’s role in that community and relationship between women and men in Ancient Greece. At that time, the pathiarticle was very serious. There was no right and the roleS of woman were just for release men’s stress. The sexual racism still exists in current social. I wish it can disappear as soon as possible.