Monday, July 2, 2012
The Roles of Women in Ancient Greece... and now!
The roles of Women in Ancient Greece were shown, in the reading that we have done, that they were the ones to stay at home and be the ones to raise and nurture the children, to pray for their husbands, and to be completely faithful to them. As we read The Essential Iliad, we saw Hector return home during the War so that he could have the Wives and other women pray for the God's to pity Troy. "He told them all, Each woman in turn, to pray to the gods." (Book 6, lines 249-250). Later in Homer's The Odyssey, we see that Odysseus' wife Penelope and how she waited, faithfully, for twenty years for Odysseus' return only to not believe it was him when he finally did return. She feared it was a test from the God's, and in wanting to be faithful to Odysseus she could not let herself run immediately to this man no matter how much she wanted to believe it was him. "...Penelope started down from herlofty room, her heart in turmoil, torn... should she keep her distance, probe her husband? Or rush up to the man at once and kiss his head and cling to both his hands?" (Book 23, lines 96-99).
In the 5th Cenntury Athenian times, women were still seen as the ones in the home, and were the caregivers of the family. As we read in the writings of Thucydides, when he spoke of the funeral procession he says, "Any citizen or stranger who pleases joins in the procession, and the female relatives are there to wail at the burial." (Book II, pg 265). I think that this shows that as the women are the caregivers, they are the ones who can acceptably show emotion in regards to their husbands and sons.
In the arts as we discussed in class, women were not permitted to participate in the theatre presentations. The men dressed as women, used women's masks and did their best to not include them.
Women today share some similarities to those in Ancient Greece. While not as commonplace as it once was, there are still many women who stay at home with their children, and are the ones to parent the children. Also, though it is not as common but it is more culturally accepted in today's world for men to be the ones to stay home while the women work. In today's society women hold more responsibilities in the day to day lives then they did in Ancient Greece. Many are successful business-women, with extensive educational backrounds. It is not uncommon for a woman to be included in the decision making processes regarding their families and homes. I am thankful to be one of those women who has been able to stay home and raise my children, though I am also thankful that it was by choice and that I have the rights and abilities that those women of Ancient Greece didn't.
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I really like that you put that as times change the basic roles found in Ancient Greece are still there but that more responsibilities have been added. I, too, am grateful that we now have many opportunities and freedoms that the women then did not have. I really like how you put in the end that is by your choice to stay at home because I think it's great that you think motherhood is so important!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you relayed the woman's responsibilities today to that in the Greek culture. I agree that there are a lot of things in common especially the "wailing" at funerals, I think its safe to say that's still typically a compassionate females place. But I really admire how you portrayed motherhood for the Greek women and not that they were just seen as sexual prizes. I am also very grateful for the rights that we have today to choose what we would like to do.
ReplyDeleteI also was glad to see that you placed the emphasis on the Greek women's roles as mothers and not just prizes. Motherhood is something that I see as part of our divine nature as women, and is bound to be a shared trait across the years. I also think that the distinction you made that we have the choice to go out and work or stay home with the family or do some combination of the two is vastly important. To me it makes the fact that you are able to stay at home that much more meaningful, because it wasn't your only option, it was your first choice among many different options.
ReplyDeleteI like how you portrayed the role of women as the patient and faithful wives. We don't see that as much in society today. I think Penelope's fidelity is to be admired. I also am grateful for the generations that have gone before and paved the way for women's rights. However now that we women can "have it all" there is so much pressure by society to do just that (which is impossible!).
ReplyDeleteI like how the role of women in society has evolved, but there's still a sense of motherhood. Today, in our society, most women are capable of accomplishing anything they want, and at the same time be the greatest mother. I wonder how the role of women will be different from today's in 100 years.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was so weird that men played for women whenever I heard it. Well, according to the Greeks only men could observe the sacred plays. That influence from Greek culture kept women from acting in plays even until Shakespearean times.
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