Mortal Women In The Iliad

Women Much like modern women, females in Ancient Greek possessed the same characteristics as those of today’s society. The women, immortal and mortal in Homer’s Iliad exemplify characteristics such as: passion, jealousy, love and rage through these emotions Homer has allowed the reader to visualize a generalized depiction of Women in the Ancient World, whether negative or positive. In the Iliad, both Hera and Athena are the leading immortal females, and both Goddesses are on the side of the Achaeans, which is evident throughout the entire epic. Also, both Goddesses are heartless when anything or anyone interferes with either of their plans. In Book One, Hera has a “fit” of rage and jealousy due to Zeus’s “sneaky actions” of meeting with Thetis and promising to help the
When Hector returns home from battle in Book six, Hector’s mom, Hecuba asks why he has returned from battle and if the Achaeans are pushing their forces closer. As she talks with him, the reader can almost hear a since of concern, not only is his mother concerned for him, but also his wife, Andromache. Andromache feels as if Hector will have the same fate as her own family, all of which were slain by Achilles himself, so she says to Hector, “Come now, have pity, and stay here on the wall, lest you make your son fatherless and your wife a widow” (Iliad 6. 430-433). Nevertheless, Hector chooses the fate his wife warned him of. In book Twenty-two, Hector decides to protect his beloved city of Troy, but not before his mother pleads with her dear son to remain inside the walls of the city and protect himself. In Book Twenty-four, Hecuba, Hector’s mother, proves her love for her son even after his death. At his funeral she says, “Hector, far dearest to my heart of all my children…” (Iliad 24. 748). Throughout the Epic, the women in Hectors life show an array of love and concern, neither of which is taken for