Roles Of Women In The Epic Poem 'The Iliad'
1
English
November 23December 10th, 2012
Women
In the epic poem, The Iliad, by Homer, women play an important but subservient role to men. With very few exceptions, the acts and deeds of men are dominant. Some goddesses such as Hera enjoy parity with men, and some mortal females show exceptional strength such as Andromache, but the primary role of women is to create a sanctuary at home or perform handiwork for their husbands. Women also serve to symbolize a man’s military rank as well as his arête. Women’s power in society is therefore limited as their social, political, and economic power are totally dependent on the men they are married to. In short, women live in a society where they are obliged to perform certain duties, are a mere representation to aggrandize men’s arête, and where their own choices and opinions are not considered.
In Book 6, the significance of the women’s primary job to perform certain duties is pronounced. In the following example, Hector is addressing Andromache about the importance of her job that she is obliged to serve as a woman. Hector says:
“Go home, attend to your own handiwork
At loom and spindle, and command the maids
To busy …show more content…
women. He emphasizes that a woman’s sole role is in the private world of the home, performing splendid needlework and embroidery, while a man’s job is to fight in battle. More importantly, Hector illustrates the importance of keeping the house in order, as this is his only place of tranquil retreat from the macabre battlefield. Therefore, Andromache’s role is important in enabling Hector to put his mind at peace and to help alleviate his stress and pain. It is obvious that the roles of men and women in the mortal world in The Iliad are distinct and ingrained. The women are destined to serve a fixed position in society, supportive and subservient to men, as this is how society operated during that
English
November 23December 10th, 2012
Women
In the epic poem, The Iliad, by Homer, women play an important but subservient role to men. With very few exceptions, the acts and deeds of men are dominant. Some goddesses such as Hera enjoy parity with men, and some mortal females show exceptional strength such as Andromache, but the primary role of women is to create a sanctuary at home or perform handiwork for their husbands. Women also serve to symbolize a man’s military rank as well as his arête. Women’s power in society is therefore limited as their social, political, and economic power are totally dependent on the men they are married to. In short, women live in a society where they are obliged to perform certain duties, are a mere representation to aggrandize men’s arête, and where their own choices and opinions are not considered.
In Book 6, the significance of the women’s primary job to perform certain duties is pronounced. In the following example, Hector is addressing Andromache about the importance of her job that she is obliged to serve as a woman. Hector says:
“Go home, attend to your own handiwork
At loom and spindle, and command the maids
To busy …show more content…
women. He emphasizes that a woman’s sole role is in the private world of the home, performing splendid needlework and embroidery, while a man’s job is to fight in battle. More importantly, Hector illustrates the importance of keeping the house in order, as this is his only place of tranquil retreat from the macabre battlefield. Therefore, Andromache’s role is important in enabling Hector to put his mind at peace and to help alleviate his stress and pain. It is obvious that the roles of men and women in the mortal world in The Iliad are distinct and ingrained. The women are destined to serve a fixed position in society, supportive and subservient to men, as this is how society operated during that