Women in Ancient Literature

Paper Summary:

The paper begins by comparing the general presentation of the female role in "Oedipus the King" to that of "Beowulf". The paper then highlights how women have very particular boundaries in both "Beowulf" and "Oedipus the King". The paper shows how, whenever they step beyond these boundaries, disaster and often death result, while those remaining within the boundaries, either by fate or will, are seen as personifying "good".

From the Paper:

"Ancient literature is always interesting in terms not only of what it can still teach the audience even today, but also in terms of what it reveals regarding the society of the time. Plays such as Oedipus the King, for example, provide the reader with particular insight regarding the view of fate and its role in human life. Others, such as the epic poem Beowulf, provides insight into the juxtaposition of good and evil in the ancient mind. In addition, these works also provide insight into the societies of the time, and in particular into the subtleties in class and gender relationships. In both works, for example, the roles of the various women serve, to a greater or lesser extent, to either compliment or challenge the positions and roles of the men in the respective worlds represented."

More papers on Women in Ancient Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 2276 : "The Role of Women in Ancient Times"
• Research Paper # 53621 : "Archetypes of Ancient Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 118902 : "Portrayal of Women in "The Iliad "

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