Intro:
Throughout “The Odyssey”, while their “godlike” demeanor and tales of their heroism define the men, most of the female characters are defined by their sexuality.Men are in some ways expected to commit infidelity, especially those who went to fight, and are in no way judged for it. On the other hand, women are criticized and even humiliated for their sexual relations. Homer uses both immortal and mortal women in order to show that no matter how powerful a woman is perceived to be, her sexual relations are ultimately what define her. Immortal women, although straying from the “powerless” stereotype linked to mortal women, are still ridiculed and punished for their sexual independence. Aphrodite, Demeter and Calypso are examples of this. Additionally, mortal women, even those who have no other choice but to engage in sexual activity, are blamed for their treachery and harshly punished.
Body:
- Calypso and Demeter
- Calypso talks to Hermes about how gods often shame and punish any goddesses who takes on mortal lovers
- She calls the gods “jealous bastards” – We also know that gods (i.e. Poseidon and Zeus) took on many mortal lovers and had many children because of it
- She uses Dawn and Demeter as other examples of women who’s loves have been interrupted by the gods
- She also mentions her love for Odysseus and that she saved his life and deserves to stay with him
- Aphrodite
- The bard tells the story of Aphrodite being caught cheating on Hephaestus
- Hephaestus literally ties them up and calls other gods in order to humiliate them
- She is punished and ridiculed for by other gods, most of whom are known to sleep with mortal women
- Servants
- When Odysseus comes back and gets his revenge on the suitors that have been eating his family out of home, he also punishes a lot of the servants for sleeping with the suitors
- Telemachus decides that hanging them is more appropriate than cutting their heads off, as they don’t even deserve that honor
- There is very obvious mentions that, perhaps not all, but some of the servants were forced to have sex with the suitors
- The simile connected to the scene where the servants are hanged also gives off feelings that the women did not deserve it – the parallel to doves being caught in a trap
There’s still one deeper question that you could probably attempt to answer: why do you think the goddesses are punished for having sexual relationships with mortal men in the first place?
I had thought of something similar for a thesis! Your examples well support your thesis but I think you should also mention the “norm” for the men, especially Odysseus, who has many sexual encounters but is still seen as “god-like.”
The evidence you chose strongly support your thesis. I agree with Syed that a deeper question can be answered. Perhaps also mention why you think there is this double standard for women and not men in the poem (even if the answer is obvious).
Hi Delsey,
Your intro is clearly and beautifully written, and I’m excited to see this paper develop! I really do think you might want to address upper-class mortal women, as well: think of Helen and especially Clytemnestra, in contrast with Penelope. Both stray from their husbands, with disastrous results–the Trojan war; the murder of Agamemnon. Helen is reincorporated into patriarchal marriage (which is very weird, when you think about it!); Clytemnestra becomes THE example of a wicked wife (and by extension of unruly femininity in general).
I love the material, here, on goddesses–a great starting point.
Prof Kolb