In reading Homer's Odyssey, it is interesting to compare the roles of women as opposed to men, and to discover the differences between the two. By drawing conclusions from the text about the views of women held by the author, a bigger picture of the role of women in ancient Greek culture can be drawn. ... Like Arete, who is said to look like a god, many other beautiful and high-born women are compared to the gods. ... This adds to the glorification of women in The Odyssey. ... In The Odyssey, women do not even have jurisdiction over their own lives. ...

• Word Count: 747
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Far removed from today's individualistic society, is the ancient Greece portrayed in Homer's The Odyssey, where hospitality and good-will were customary. In the epic, Zeus decrees that those who seek clemency from the gods must welcome travelers with hospitality. ... To acknowledge the importance of a major principle in ancient Greek culture, the purpose of this essay is to examine the role that hospitality plays in The Odyssey. ... Giving good hospitality was the best thing ancient Greeks could do to please the gods, because they could never know when they were in the presence of th...

• Word Count: 841
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

The ancient gods and goddesses played a key role in the lives of heroes and ensured justice; this confirmed through Athena's role in Odysseus' journey home in The Odyssey. Athena's fundamental role in The Odyssey was to assist and ensure the success of Odysseus' homecoming, and guarantee that Ithaca remained peaceful and stable (24.584-585). ... The Olympian gods were derived from Chaos. ... In conclusion, the role of the gods and goddesses greatly impacted the live of mortals, to the extent that the Ancient Greek religion was centered around the gods, paying refuge toward...

• Word Count: 1605
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography

Odysseus's adventure in Homer's epic, "The Odyssey," follows him on a journey where he meets an array of new people while traveling to new land. ... Homer uses Xenia, the Greek practice of hospitality to strangers, to characterize mortals, gods, and monsters as "good" or "bad" according to Greek values. ... Xenia, the practice of kindness to guests, which was expected of good Greeks, played an important role in "The Odyssey." This value was so important that it was actually a way of classifying mortals and even gods as good or bad; those who practice good Xenia be...

• Word Count: 609
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In reading Homer's The Odyssey, in order to answer the question of how Homer portrays the women in this epic, we must first determine exactly what the roles of women were and discover Homer's portrayal of them. ... "Unlike men in the Homeric world, women have no public role or duty. ... In The Odyssey, women do not have jurisdiction over their own lives. ... It appears that women do not have much power in The Odyssey. ... Like men, the gods are at the top of the pyramid, the son of a god is in the middle, and a regular man is at the bottom. ...

• Word Count: 1272
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

While there were numerous themes in the epic, the role of hospitality was one of the most prominent. Throughout the story, Homer depicts scenarios in which hospitality, both on the part of the guest and the host, plays a key role in the events that transpire. ... (Odyssey 54). ... (Odyssey 5). ... (Odyssey" . ...

• Word Count: 1626
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Hospitality plays a very big role in Greek life. ... Such paranoia and religious beliefs kept most characters in Homer's Odyssey on the straight and narrow, but others had no manners to begin with. ... Part of the motivation behind the supreme hospitality of the Greek culture had to do with the fear of the gods. ... From being too hospitable to being the worst guests on the earth the Odyssey has it all. ... The Odyssey gives the reader of today the feel of what it was like to be a way ward traveler in the time of Odysseus. ...

• Word Count: 940
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

One relationship in the Odyssey that is unique to the Greek literature of the time is the bond between Penelope and Odysseus. ... As this relationship is observed through the eyes of Penelope while she awaits the return of her beloved, one can also observe the values conveyed in the noble household and the role women play in ancient Greek society. ... It is plausible that Penelope takes these odd occurrences as signs from the Gods, leading her to start considering the actual possibility of Odysseus coming home. ... Does the bed, my lady, still stand planted firm (Odyssey xxiii.326-327)?" ...

• Word Count: 1806
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School