Greek Femininity Essays - Argonauts, Women And Death,

Greek Femininity Greek Ideas on Gender Roles Throughout history, the roles of women and men have always differed to some degree. In ancient Greece, the traditional roles were clear-cut and defined. Women stayed home to care for children and do housework while men left to work. This system of society was not too far off the hunter gatherer concept where women cared for the house and the men hunted. Intriguingly enough, despite the customary submissive role, women had a more multifaceted role and image in society as juxtaposed with the rather simple role men played. Morals for the two were also different. Men obviously had the upper hand with women being the traditional passive. For an example, it was quite acceptable for a man to commit adultery- however a woman was to remain chaste. The only exception to this was if the lover in question was a god. For some odd reason, it seemed that men were allowed to be philanderers while their wives stayed at home. This is evidenced in the Odyssey quite well- Odysseus the hero is free to sample all the pretty ladies he cares to, whereareas Penelope his wife is expected to fend off all the suitors at home. Predictably, Penelope melts into his arms when she realizes it is her long lost husband without pausing to consider what he has done in his absence. This reaction portrays the unequal morals of Greek society regarding gender. Euripidess Medea portrays women who are not quite as lucky as Penelope: Oh, unfortunate one, Oh cruel! Where will you turn? Who will help you? What house or what land to preserve you from ill can you find? Medea, a god has thrown suffering upon you in waves of despair. In this play, Medeas husband Jason has left her and their children to fend for themselves while he cavorts with his new princess bride. Generally speaking, there is nothing Medea can do and the attitude conveyed by the Corinthian women thoroughly explains this. As shown, women were considered naturally submissive as in most other old cultures. This is somewhat understandable as women were the ones who bore children and men provided for the family unit. As time progressed, this stereotype was over emphasized into what is portrayed in these plays and poems. Despite this submissive image, Greek women were not considered na?ve, but a pleasurable if a bit foolish kind of a creature. In Aristophanes play, Lysistrata, this concept is amply portrayed. Most of the women are portrayed, as impulsive individuals while men are carnal gluttons. Notwithstanding this facet of their image women could also be wily as Medea and Lysistrata: What is more, you were born a woman, And women, though most helpless in doing good deeds, Are of every evil the cleverest of contrives The deceitful female is epitomized by the character of Aphrodite in Euripidiess Hippolytus. Due to having her altar neglected (as in the case of Psyche) she plotted to bring ruin to Hippolytus and all those who loved him. At the end of the play, Artemis plots revenge against Aphrodite (also called Cypris) saying: Hush, that is enough! You shall not be unavenged, Cypris shall find the angry shafts she hurls Against you for youre your piety and innocence Shall cost her dear. Ill wait until she loves a mortal next time, And with this handwith these unerring arrows Ill punish him. Thus it is not only the mortal women who are vindictive, but it is the very nature of womankind To be passively wicked. One of the few exceptions to the image of the submissive Greek woman were the Amazons. The Amazons were a race of mythical warrior women who were completely dedicated to their work. When they reached maturity, they burned off one of their breasts to make archery easier, and dominated what men they kept. Their male children were killed and only the girls were kept. Artemis the huntress and her followers also defied traditional imagery. Yet no non-virgin was a part of Artemiss coterie which excludes the majority of women. However independent, even the legendary Amazons were defeated by a man. In the labors of Hercules, one of his tasks was to fetch the girdle of the Amazon Queen. Hercules was received unusually well by