Ngoc's Corner of Language Arts 10th

After reading the Odyssey, I believe that Homer is an early feminist since he since to be proving that women are just as strong and intelligence as men. For example, Athena is smart enough to help Odysseus's family as well as Odysseus in order to see the day where they unite again. Athena goes around and pretends to be others and helps Telemachus out wisely that even he doesn't realize she is Athena. This proves that Homer is a feminist because he portrays women as an intelligent person. Many might argue saying that Athena is an immortal figure, however within the presence of the other immortals, she is feared and respected. Another example that shows that Homer is on the feminist side is how he describes Penelope's cunning. In order to stall time to await for Odysseus' arrival, she weaves and then reweaves her web in order to prevent the suitors from marrying her. This shows that she to use her cunning to fool the men. Although it is proven that Penelope is only forced to do this because she is a woman, she would not be stuck into the situation if it were not for the patriarchal society of ancient times. Even though this is the case, we can see that Penelope is fight her way around it showing that Homer supports the role of the woman. Another example of the support that Homer is an early feminist is present when Helen puts in a gaily potion that makes Telemachus, Menelaus, and all there guests happy. She knows that by doing this, she can make them sleep easier that night and are able to have a real good time. Her cunning portrays her to be just as smart as any man. Finally, the last example Homer uses to portray the dominant females is in the character of Calypso. Calypso traps Odysseus on her island with her powers in order to prevent him from getting home. This shows that she was more powerful than Odysseus which proves that Homer portrays women to have as much power or more then that of men.

By writing this book, we see that Homer is not trying to address that Homer are equal to men in cunning and power, however he puts ideas that prove to us that he is an early feminist. He starts off with Athena and her power in trying to help Odysseus to show us that women have power. Being a god, Athena can make her own decisions, and even so are supported by other men. Getting away from the example of the god, we see that Helen and Penelope seem to have just as much power as men do. Penelope and Helen have enough power to make a difference which shows even within a patriarchal society, they have power. All of this tell us that Homer's book shows ideas that he is an early feminist.