Preview

Women In Greek Myths

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
589 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Women In Greek Myths
Arjun Guha Classical Literature 1

Mr.Gerety 11/30/10

Women in Greek Society

The myths of the ancient Greeks are considered to be some of the greatest literary achievements of western culture. These tales allow us to look into the greatest minds of the ancient world. Myths help us comprehend what Greek society was truly like, by allowing us to understand the principles upon which it was built. The depiction of women in Greek mythology tells us much about the social status of women, and the treatment women received on behalf of their male counterparts. Although Cupid and Psyche is a happier myth compared to The Quest of the Golden Fleece,
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Pandora Myth Affirms The Gender Dynamics Of Ancient Greek Culture
    • 267 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Pandora Myth Affirms The Gender Dynamics Of Ancient Greek Culture

    In ancient Greece, women were virtually invisible to those outside the home and their reputation was best when there was “the least possible talk about you among men, whether in praise or blame” (Thucydides 1.45.2). There was a Greek Proverb that said “a woman knew two great moments of her life: her marriage and her death” (Powell, 40). In ancient Greek culture, women were normally seen as objects for marriage and childbearing and in literature were often depicted with an uncontrollable sexual appetite causing them to lie and scheme. The Pandora myth affirms the gender dynamics of ancient Greek culture. This is shown by the way Hesiod describes Pandora, his attitude toward women, and his opinion about women’s roles and work.…

    • 267 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Portrayal of Women in The Odyssey
    • 946 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Portrayal of Women in The Odyssey

    In Homer's Odyssey, the women are portrayed in many different ways, some are said to be wise while others are cruel, but many are treated differently from the opposite gender. One of the women in the story, Penelope, was portrayed as very wise but because of her gender she was expected to obey many of the men. Similarly to Penelope, Arete, queen of the Phaeacians, was equally wise but was viewed almost as an equal to the men. In contrast to the other two women, Melantho was very malicious and was treated similarly to the men in the end of the book.…

    • 946 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Spartan Women In Greece
    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Spartan Women In Greece

    throughout history women have faced many challenges such as fewer legal rights and career opportunities than men and not being able to own property.Women were long considered weaker than men.Even in times like these some women were given a little more freedom than others. For example in class we learned that spartan women were more dominant in society compared to other women in Greece. Knowing this information it made me think how life was like for spartan women? What they did in their spare time? Since the men spent most of their time in the military I predict that the life of a spartan women will consist of caring for the children as well as providing food for the family.…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women in The Odyssey
    • 1608 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Women in The Odyssey

    Conflict is the cornerstone for every tale, epic and anecdote, and has been even before written word. Without conflict, in essence, there is nothing to talk about, no interest, no engine to drive the characters towards an ending. Said conflict can come from many source; however, the most common conflicts can come from some form of a breach of decorum or propriety. This is defined as “correct or proper behavior that shows respect and good manners” or “behavior that is accepted as socially or morally correct and proper” by Merriam-Webster. In a literary sense, this is when a character doesn’t meet the expectations of their position or role that is considered “normal”. Typical gender roles are a huge standard that is more or less understood by the general population of a culture. There is an idea of how men act in comparison to women and the differences between them.…

    • 1608 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women In The Iliad
    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Women In The Iliad

    The Iliad of Homer, showed women as being items of exchange for the men who had possessed them. They are shown in their social roles as mothers and wives. He states stereotypical characterizations of them. The reader understands that women are being treated as prizes, and that the male hero has to win or he'd have to resist fulfilling his heroic destiny. The characters of Hera and Athena, who are among the immortals, they are certainly strong women. Hera is the wife of Zeus and queen of the Olympians. She tricked her husband so that she is able to play with in the affairs of the Trojan War. The goddess of wisdom, and war, Athena attacked Ares two different occasions and still had to have him flee to Mount Olympus in defeat.…

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Etruscan Women In Ancient Greece
    • 1804 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Etruscan Women In Ancient Greece

    The Etruscans offered a more liberal approach to women through their extreme dedication to kinship and through the rights and leisure that Etruscan women freely enjoyed. On the other hand, the Greeks offered a more conservative sentiment on women due to the limited rights and leisure that they enjoyed, along with the mandatory stay-at-home status that they possessed. Both representations of these women are noted in the artwork that their societies produced. However, as time passed, both societies withered away, but their culture remained alive through the art that they left behind. This artwork allows one to understand the antiquated attitude toward women, so that one can learn from…

    • 1804 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women In Homer's The Odyssey
    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Women In Homer's The Odyssey

    In The Odyssey by Homer, three very different women are in love with Odysseus. Circe, Kalypso, and Penelope all love Odysseus in a unique way and show it differently. Circe’s love for Odysseus is based on physical attraction, Odysseus’ accompaniment and body is the premise for Kalypso’s love, while Penelope’s love is the deepest for Odysseus.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Gods And Goddesses In Ancient Greece
    • 179 Words
    • 1 Page

    Gods And Goddesses In Ancient Greece

    Ancient Greece was a civilization that set many precedents. One of the most notable earmarks of Ancient Greece is It’s mythology. Though not the only polytheistic culture, Greece is one of the most prominently thought of cultures when referring to Gods and Goddesses. The deities of ancient Greece held a huge sphere of influence in their culture. The Gods and Goddesses affected many aspects of everyday life. These myths became their religious and spiritual foundations. “In ancient Greece, a myth was not simply a story, or a tale, rich in religious and poetic meanings, but rather a body of scientific knowledge about the world and a normative conception of human beings” (Javier Lopez Frias, Isadora,Hadjistephanou Papaellina).…

    • 179 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    roles of women in greek society
    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages

    roles of women in greek society

    Each of the sources suggests certain aspects about the roles that women played in Ancient Greek society. Three things it suggests about women are that not all women were of the same social status, women were generally used as slaves or laborers, but were still a vital part to Grecian society.…

    • 596 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women in The Odyssey
    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Women in The Odyssey

    In Greek Mythology, women were either very fierce or very weak. Women were usually defined by wits, beauty, or bad deeds. In The Odyssey women were not in the background. On the contrary, women were powerful. They charmed and controlled men, provided wisdom, and took care of them. The Odyssey appears to be strongly female based.…

    • 754 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Status Of Greek Women In Homer's Odyssey
    • 1016 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Status Of Greek Women In Homer's Odyssey

    The Greeks had a similar concept of masculinity as the modern Western world, including traits such as dominance, strength, and virility, all of which were reversed for stereotypical femininity. However, men were not ostracized or considered inferior if they did not conform to these ideals or deviated from the norms of sexual orientation or gender identity.…

    • 1016 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women In The Odyssey
    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Women In The Odyssey

    In The Odyssey, Homer creates characters that embody many aspects of human nature to reflect his observations about his world and society. Many of the characters have personalities that define them to be heroic, or borderline evil. Throughout Odysseus’ return home from Troy, he meets important women of both kinds. Homer portrays some women that are ideal, and more women that are immoral. Through Homer, we learn that women in Ancient Greece could be assumed to use their beauty and seductiveness for unjust purposes, whereas the rare faithful ones were to be treasured.…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women's Role In Ancient Greek Society
    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Women's Role In Ancient Greek Society

    The common view in ancient societies was often that this was a world of men; that women were inferior. There is often debate on the role of women in society, but in reality, women play an important role in any type of society, whether it be good or bad. Women in ancient Greece, China, and the Roman Empire were able to exercise influence into their culture despite the discrimination toward them. Although each society was different, women shared similar influences in their power, and restrictions in the aspect of marriage. Although most of these ancient cultures viewed women similarly, of these three locations, the women in the Roman Empire had it best.…

    • 1109 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay On Greek Myths
    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay On Greek Myths

    “The characters, stories, themes and lessons of Greek mythology have shaped art and literature for thousands of years. They appear in Renaissance paintings such as Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Raphael’s Triumph of Galatea and writings like Dante’s Inferno; Romantic poetry and libretti; and scores of more recent novels, plays and films.” I think that it is great that the ancient Greeks came up with these myths. When I first started reading and listening about the Greek myths, I thought they were totally absurd. However, I now think that some myths tell entertaining stories and teach great lessons. Through this paper I will tell you about one of the myths we share today in our culture, share what Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung had to say about mythic structures of the human psyche, and explain why myths such as these bring us together socially and culturally. (2)…

    • 553 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Women In Classical Greece
    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Women In Classical Greece

    In Classical Greece (ca. 480-323 B.C) young girls were usually left to the care of a nurse, spending most of their time in the women’s quarters of the house which was often located on the upper floor, this was called the gynaikon. The gynaikon was where mothers would nurse their children and spin/weave thread. The picture to the right shows the art of working wool, this was one of the key responsibilities of the Greek women, along with childbearing, retrieving water and managing the household. The task of retrieving water was also a way for women to socialize with other women outside of the house. Another task that fell to women was to visit the tombs of family members; they would bring offerings and tie sashes around the grave. Women could attend public speeches and visit certain sanctuaries, such as those of Artemis at Brauron and the Sanctuary of the…

    • 546 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics