Showing posts with label Odyssey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Odyssey. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2009

On Women's Strength (Odyssey)

It is always a wonder, the strength of women, as exemplified by the different women characters of Iliad and Odyssey.
Andromache bravely watched her husband Hector fight for dear life from the battle wall. She even console Helen who was already blaming herself for the pain the Trojans are going through.
Penelope untiringly waited for 20 years for the return of her husband.
Helen stood her ground when she eloped with Paris, and in the end she accepted her fault and went back to Menelaus.
Circe fought her own self when she helped Odysseus.
Kalypso, though was told by Hermes, fought for her love even if she knows Odysseus would still live her.
Hecuba watched Hector die and helped Priam through her prayers to fight the horror of times.
Cassandra stood her ground on her allegations on Helen bringing curse to Troy even if no one believes her.
Polyxena fought for her star-crossed lover, Achilleus.
All women who were mentioned fought their battles in their own way, and maybe it is indeed a sign of strength knowing the task on hand requires a lot of self-control and wit. What they did is an example of how a woman staunchly handles life's challenges, it is a picture of how they cope up with their stressors. It is a a decision they heroically stand for, now it makes me think--- Can we consider what Antikleia did as display of bravery?

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