Women In Homers Iliad And The Woman In Genesis - 1379 Words

The women in Homer’s Iliad and the women in Genesis both exhibit the accepted societal values in a woman through their duties as wives, which typically consists of obedience and the ability to sustain their husband’s lineage. Rebekah and Andromache both assume their roles as wives, but sometimes act in ways outside of what was considered normal in their society. Though both Rebekah and Andromache maintain the classic role of a wife, they occasionally contradict the expectations of how a woman should behave by making decisions traditionally made by men. Through revolutionary behaviors demonstrated by both women, they grant themselves more authority and power in decision-making, which in turn affects the fate of each woman’s family. Both†¦show more content†¦6.455-456). Andromache pleads with Hector to stay with her and her son while the war progresses, using her suggestions of military action to prevent Hector from facing his foreseen destiny of being kil led by Achilles. This type of request followed by her ability to share her insight and advice with her husband demonstrates not only the type of relationship the two have between one another, but how Andromache steps out of the classic idea of being one with very limited power in her ability to influence her husband’s views. She states her views to take initiative for her own self-interest, not just her husband’s. Hector takes this advice, but ultimately his own self-interest controls his actions, just like Andromache’s does to her, and decides to leave for the war so that he maintains his honor (timÄ“), but before leaving he asks her to â€Å"go back to the house now and take care of [her] work† (Il. 6.515). Hector now orders Andromache to do her wifely duties and Andromache obeys as she â€Å"went back home† (Il. 6.520). Here she exhibits a sort of contradiction to her previous actions, from being outspoken and making decisions to reversing ba ck to her boundaries as a wife by obeying her husband’s demands. Paradoxically, Andromache’s previous behaviors would show that she is defying social norms, however she recognizes her limitations once Hector rejects her ideasShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Homer s The Iliad 3570 Words   |  15 PagesInterdisciplinary Studies Dr. Packer Eric G. Shuping March 3, 2015 Final Paper Homer’s poem, The Iliad, explains to us how the Trojan War started with Paris stealing Menelaus wife, Helen, and affected the lives of the Greek and Trojan people. The gods and warriors all desire to earn their honor to prove they are great, which Homer proves that it ends disastrously at times. Homer’s definition of honor in Iliad shows us that the gods, Greeks, and Trojans will do anything to prove their honor,Read MoreThe Iliad And The Book Of Genesis1590 Words   |  7 Pagesinfluences every event In Homer’s The Iliad and The Book of Genesis, from birth to death. Divine forces determine if Andromache and Rebekah’s actions can be successful or not. In The Iliad, moira determines everything and guides everyone; whereas in the book of Genesis, God’s will determines what will be done and influences people to act. It is moira that causes people to suffer death and destruction, as moira is one’s fate, or the amount of life they are given on Earth. In The Iliad, everyone is limitedRead MoreShakespeare and Cultural Hegemony Essay1842 Words   |  8 Pagesscholar Antonio Gramsci meanwhile he was imprisoned within a fascist jail in the 1920s.2 Creating a sexist doctrine that rules over early societies it filters itself into the pages of some of the most renowned historical pieces of literature. The Iliad by Homer, the Oresteia Trilogy by Aeschylus, the Old Testament, and Decameron by Boccaccio can all be studied from a feminist viewpoint in criticism of their show of masculine hegemony. Eternally famous playwright and innovator of our English languageRead MoreTreatment of Women in Ancient Literature Essay1647 Words   |  7 PagesWomen are constantly portrayed as tempting men by using their sexual charms. And so women who remained chaste were held in a higher esteem than those who highlighted their sexuality. Walcot writes, â€Å"The Greeks believed women to be incapable of not exercising their sexual charms and that the results were catastrophic, irrespective of whether or not women set out to cause trouble deliberately or acted in a blissful ignorance of what they were doing† (39). In Homeric tales we see the character Odysseus