Journal Reading #7 

What is the role of women in the Odyssey? 

In the work of literature “Odyssey” Women is portray as an inferior sex which must be led by a man. Women had to take care of the children and be dependent of men. They had to be housewives and follow the men orders. Moreover, in page 53 (lines 10-11) says “And that day, too, he brought Alektor’s daughter to marry his tall scion.” This evidence clearly shows that women did not have a voice to decide their fate, and that men had to decide over them with who or when they had to get married. The author makes women be a submissive. Furthermore, Penelope which is Odyssey husband is an example of a woman which needs a man in order to do things. For example, in page 357 (lines 151-152) states “If he returned, if he were here to care for me, I might be happily renowned!”. The author portrays women as someone who cannot be independent and need a man by her side to feel happy. Also, this demonstrates that women are shown as uncapable of being happy or maintain a house because they need a man to take care of them.