Example Of Women In Greek Epics And Tragedies Essay

Despite the emphasis on male characters in Greek epics and tragedies, particularly as arbiters of virtue and responsibility, there are quite a few strong women characters present in this literature as well. These characters defy the oft-repeated trope in Greek literature of women being fickle, weak or treacherous, and are able to assert their own desires in their own ways. Athena in The Odyssey and the titular character of Antigone are both uniquely bold and independent women, who both defy their equals/superiors to do something for someone in need. While Athena defies the other gods to help Odysseus in his quest home, Antigone defies Creon to bury her rebel brother.
One of the most intriguing women characters in Greek literature by far has to be the god Athena, sister of Apollo, in The Odyssey. The daughter of Zeus, Athena is responsible for Odysseus' journey in the first place - she had sent him to wander in order to punish him for the events in Troy - the temple was desecrated by one of his warriors. However, Odysseus finds a friend in Athena throughout the course of the book, as she steps in repeatedly to intervene on Odysseus' behalf and help him get home and save his life. Given that most, if not all, of the other gods do everything they can to hinder Odysseus in his journey, Athena's choice to help him is curious. Why does she favor Odysseus above all others? The answer, surprisingly, may lie in their common ability to disguise themselves. While Odysseus disguises himself with lies, Athena constantly appears to others as a different person - Odysseus' ability to manipulate and lie allows him to act as someone that he is not, something that Athena respects very much. This lies at the heart of her decision to aid him throughout The Odyssey; her ability to respect their equal interests.
Athena's ability to disguise herself is part of her motif throughout the story, but she also manages to manipulate the appearance of others and the environment to suit her goals. In order to get Odysseus home, Athena also alters his appearance to make him more attractive to the Princess Nausikaa. In order to get her to help him, Athena comes to Nausikaa in a dream to inspire her to go to the river, and give her the strength to help the grimy and naked Odysseus. With this enhanced look, Nausikaa approves of him and helps him get home (Homer, 105). Meeting with Nausikaa's parents, Arete and Alkinous, Odysseus manages to disguise himself further by not revealing his name right away, as they simply do not ask him for it.
Antigone has many different strengths and traits, but the most important one is her individualism, especially in defiance of the state. Antigone's fervor and passion in defending the right to bury her brother leaves her defying a patriarchal society to do what she feels is right. Unlike in The Odyssey, Antigone's male counterpart is not on her side; Creon presents the opposite end of the spectrum, believing laws and rules to be the essence of a governed society – “No man can be fully known, in soul and spirit and mind, until he hath been seen versed in rule and law-giving.” (Sophocles, 442 BCE) Antigone’s defiance is evidence of a need for personal obligation and emotional release over her duties to her society. She will not let anyone prevent her from this duty, going off on her own to bury Polyneices. She is severely punished for this, being buried alive by the state, but her convictions ring true. She ends up hanging herself to end her misery, and would rather do that than acquiesce to Creon’s demands. The chorus says of her that “the maid shows herself passionate child of passionate sire, and knows not how to bend before troubles.” (Sophocles, 442 BCE) Her strength of character allows her to go on this personal quest that serves the needs of the individual before all else.
In conclusion, both Athena and Antigone represent female characters in Greek literature who are able to assert their own interests and agendas without the help of men - and often in active defiance of them. Athena is constantly aiding Odysseus and helping him in his travels, for the sake of the kinship they have developed. Like Odysseus, Athena is a being of action, preferring to do instead of ruminate, and they possess substantial initiative. While Athena does not act necessarily as a moral agent, she does assist Odysseus in his quest to return home. Antigone has a much more personal battle to fight, and she most definitely acts as a moral agent; her defiance of the state stems from her feeling that the government's treatment of her dead brother is immoral, and she seeks to correct that injustice. These two women, though their goals are not identical, both represent strong, impassioned and assertive women in Greek literature.