The Role Of Women In The Odyssey

In many literary works from the times of the ancient Greeks, women have played a relatively minor role. This is particularly due to how women where viewed during this time period and in this particular culture. In the stories the Odyssey and Orpheus and Eurydice the female characters are examples of how women were expected to behave during the time period. In the epic poem the Odyssey, Odysseus’s wife Penelope clearly exhibits the desired characteristics of desirable women during the time of the ancient Greeks. For example, Penelope is very patient. She wait over twenty years for the return of her husband never giving up hope that he is still alive. She also proves her faithfulness, especially when she rejects other suitors because she still