Women Flashcards
Penelope’s Metis - reflects Odysseus?
18 ‘The noble, patient Odysseus was delighted at her words because she was extorting gifts from her suitors and bewitching them by her persuasive words, while all the time her heart was set on something quite different’
19 ‘I have to devise tricks to deceive them’ she addressed the suitors ‘do not urge on this marriage until I have done this work… it is a shroud for lord Laertes…’
Penelope’s loyalty
19 ‘He made all the lies sound so convincing, that as she listened, the tears poured form Penelope’s eyes… as the snow that the west wind has brought melts on the mountain tops when the East wind thaws it and melting, makes the rivers run in spate, so did the tears she shed drench her fair cheeks as she wept for the husband sitting at her side’.
1’she went upstairs to her bedroom, and there she wept for Odysseus, her beloved husband, till bright eyed Athene closed her eyes in sweet sleep’
Eurycleia’s devotion
1 ‘he (Telemachus) was escorted by the faithful Eurycleia’ ‘It was she who served as torch bearer for his grandson; and she of all the household women loved him the most, for she had nursed him as a child’
19 ‘At once she recognised the scar.’
22 ‘you have fifty women serving at your palace. Of these are twelve all told who behaved shamelessly’
The maids deaths at the hands of Telemachus
‘As when long-winged thrushes or doves get entangled in a snare… they are on their way to roost, but find a grim reception - so the women’s heads were held fast in a row, with nooses around their necks, to bring them to the most pitiable end’
Melantho’s disobedience
Melantho to Odysseus ‘off with you wretch and be glad of the supper you had’
Penelope to Melatho ‘You may be sure, you bold creature, you shameless bitch, that I am not unaware of your disgraceful behaviour and you shall pay dearly for it’.
Melantho is having an affair with suitor Eurymachus - Penelope also kindly raised her from being a child so she demonstrates the suitor’s ill effect on the household (oikos)
Penelope’s plan for the bow test - also noting her position as a woman was to be modest
Modesty - 21’When she drew near to the suitors the lady drew a fold of her shining veil across her cheeks’
‘Listen proud suitors. You have exploited this house… Whoever strings this bow most easily and shoots an arrow through every one of these twelve axes, with that man I will go’
Nausicaa’s exemplary behaviour
‘Come sir, and make a move towards the city, so that I can direct you to my good father’s house’
‘It is their unpleasant gossip I wish to avoid’
‘listen carefully to my directions if you want my father’s help’
Values Athene calls upon to persuade Nausicaa
Athene (disguised as Dymas) ‘Nausicaa… all your shining clothes have been left lying around neglected… you may soon be married and need beautiful clothes… That is how a bride gains a good reputation with people…’
Arete
‘Alcinous made her his wife and gave her such honour as no other woman receives who keeps house under her husband’s eye in the world today. Such is the extraordinary and heartfelt devotion which she has enjoyed in the past, and still enjoys, both from her children and Alcinous himself and from the people, who look at her as a goddess, and greet her when she walks through the town. For she is also a wise woman… she settles even men’s disputes.’
Agamemnon talks about Clytemnestra in the underworld
‘Never be too trustful even of your wife.’
(Because he was murdered by his wife and her lover on his return)
Circe’s power
‘Prowling about the place were mountain wolves and lions that Circe had bewitched… they did not attack my men, but rose on their hind legs to fawn on them… wagging their long tails like dogs fawning on their master.’
Calypso’s and Ogygia’s beauty
‘A large fire was blazing on the hearth… Calypso was singing with her beautiful voice… fragrant cypresses… bunches of grapes… crystal rivulets… even an immortal visitor must pause in wonder and delight.’
