Introduction
The role of females in different societies and at different times is one of the most discussed topics nowadays. Although now the world is close to gender equality, thousands of years ago, the role of a man and a woman distinguished drastically, and a person was treated due to their gender. In Homer’s Odyssey, Sophocles’ Antigone, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, Penelope, Antigone, and Shamhat demonstrate the example of powerful women in Greek society who aimed to be equal to men, breaking traditional rules.
Homer’s Odyssey, Sophocles’ Antigone, and the Epic of Gilgamesh
Homer in Odyssey clearly represents the role of women in society in ancient Greece at that time. Greece’s society was patriarchal; females were seen as someone minor, weak, stupid, unable to take responsibility and immature no matter what age they were. It was considered that any woman has to be guided by a man not to do something deplorable or devastating. In Greek mythology, Pandora was the one who was given a box with all of the world’s woes and who, out of curiosity, opened it and exposed humanity to suffering. In the poem, women are disapproved by gods and need to be led by men to prevent everyone from chaos.
Furthermore, females were used as pawns who were easy to play and control. When any negative event happened, they were the first to blame, even if this was not their fault. The women who worked for Odysseus were seen as less minor and were portrayed as daughters and wives. Penelope, his wife, was represented as a powerful person, an example of loyalty, dedication, and love. During waiting for her husband from the war, she told her potential suitors that she would think about marrying one of them when she finished her tapestry. Every night she undid her work to lengthen some time for herself. When her plan was revealed, she was made to finish her tapestry (Homer book 2). Thus, this example shows that even in more powerful and influential women, cunning is punished, and they can be told what to do by men. Moreover, females who hindered Odyssey were perceived as weak, stubborn, faint-hearted, minor, and the ones who did not deserve any respect.
Sophocles in Antigone represents women similarly to Homer in Odyssey. In the tragedy, females are the “second hand” in society. They obey men and even do not mind being treated as low-grade people. Women behave as a minor class of society, they are treated as unworthy of respect and banned from performing many duties and jobs males do. Stereotypes and authorities so influence them that they agree to be treated this way and believe they do not deserve to be equal to men. Generally, women in the tragedy agreed with any rule and law invoked by the authority no matter what consequences it would lead to. Ismene, a shy, polite, and highly obedient woman, does so, even if it contradicts her moral or religious beliefs, and is afraid of male authorities. She is a good example of a Greek woman at that time.
As in Odyssey, in Antigone, there is an example of a strong and powerful woman. Antigone, a stubborn, goal-oriented, and self-sufficient woman, decided to put herself in male shoes. Antigone was the complete opposite of Ismene: a woman with a strong will and desire to break the rules and change the system. She was driven by a desire for fairness and aimed to make rational decisions. While Antigone represents a strong and powerful woman, Ismene portrays a typical scared and meek role (Sophocles 15). She is an example of a courageous woman who fights against discrimination and male mistreatment.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, on the other hand, women are represented a little differently compared to Odyssey and Antigone. Although some of the stereotypes were the same, such as women were perceived as a source of temptation and seduction, and their sexuality was suppressed, they had various roles. According to their actions, their main roles were mothers, harlots, and goddesses. Women in the poem could influence males and incline them to specific actions. Although females did not have any main roles in the poem, and the main focus was on males, they had an influence on men and could guide them, even if men did not realize that. For instance, Shamhat, a harlot, was used by a man to tame Enkidu, a strong boy who lived in the wild and was made by gods to be equal in power to Gilgamesh (tablet 1). After fulfilling his will properly, she disappeared for the rest of the poem. This situation shows that, on the one hand, the woman was used to serving men; on the other hand, she performed her duties properly and affected Enkidu’s life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, women’s role in societies, shown in Homer’s Odyssey, Sophocles Antigone, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, was minor and less important than men’s. However, in each story, a powerful female was pictured who tried to fight against such an unfair system, such as Penelope, Antigone, and Shamhat. In Odyssey and Antigone, other females were the “second-hand” people who had to serve males and meet their needs. In the Epic of Gilgamesh, they were less important than men; however, they had such roles as mothers, harlots, and goddesses, giving them at least a little power and sense in society. Any female abilities, opinions, sexuality, and talents, were suppressed, and their actions were considered meaningless.
Works Cited
Homer. The Odyssey. London, New York, W. Heinemann; G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1919.
Sophocles. Antigone. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1912.
The Epic of Gilgamesh. London, Penguin UK. 1973.