Unideal and Ideal Greek Femininity in Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey Paulyn Annor College

In The Iliad and The Odyssey, there are numerous minor and major female characters who are depicted in varying forms in terms of femininity and ideality. Most of the female characters in both epics are depicted as feeble, delicate, manipulative, or subordinate when juxtaposed to powerful male characters. Yet, there are a few women who are able to break this mold and exert strength and sensuality that subverts this gender norm. Through the characters of Andromache and Circe, in Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey, respectively, readers learn that an “ideal” Greek woman is one who stifles her sexuality, remains subordinate to her husband and men of authority, and exudes maternity and meekness, On the other hand, the “unideal” woman is cunning and crafty, exudes sensuality and sexuality, and is able to use whatever power she can to acquire what she desires.

Homer develops homely imagery to depict Andromache, Hektor’s wife, as the perfect Greek woman due to her maternal nature. Whenever Andromache appears in the epic, Skamandrios also appears in context, directly or indirectly. When readers are first introduced to Andromache, she is with her child, Skamandrios. This maternal nature is one that is desired in Greek women because the homely...