From the Paper "Andromache is presented as an exemplary wife and mother and, despite the fact that she was married to three different men, an exemplary widow as well. She is featured in three extant works of Greek literature--The Iliad and two plays by Euripides, The Trojan Women and Andromache--and her character and the details of her story are fairly consistent throughout her three appearances. A comparison of the treatment of the character of Andromache in these three works demonstrates how this basic model of the virtuous woman could be adapted to somewhat different functions without losing the essential qualities that appear to have been associated with her name.
Andromache was first married to Hector (son of Priam and Hecuba, the king and queen of Troy) and their infant son was named Astyanax. After Hector's death and the destruction of Troy..."
Abstract The paper seeks to show that, although "The Iliad" is clearly the product of a patriarchal, misogynistic society, Homer is far too aware of humanity to be as sexist as Hesiod, for example. It explains that Homer's portrayal of Helen shows his understanding and empathy, while his carefully constructed relationship of Patroclus and Achilles reveals certain feminine characteristics in the great male heroes.
From the Paper "Homer's acute awareness of human nature has often been praised by critics, and is one of the reasons the Iliad has survived and is still read today. It enables him to create fascinating characters, and allows him to deal with both male and female personalities equally. Arthur compliments the Homeric poems for having a "less rigid" dichotomy between men and women , especially in comparison with the more overtly misogynistic work of Hesiod, for example. It is this that makes for the fascinating characterisation of Helen in the poem, which is the product of centuries of mythology and development of her story. So important is her character that she even has the final speech. The female gods are also notable examples of women in the Iliad, for even though they are divine, as females, they still reflect the Homeric gender roles."
Abstract This paper discusses the rich development of characters in Homer's Iliad, specifically examining the heroic character Hector to demonstrate Homer's success as a literary portrait painter. The author looks at Homer's techniques that brought the Trojan hero to life: simile, viewing Hector through enemy eyes, and describing his human nature, insecurity, honor, and his violent end.
From the Paper "Reading the Iliad leads us to ask many probing questions about humanity because the characters are embroiled in many issues that are of relevance even today. Hector, for instance, raises the question of the futility of war - how do you justify an event that kills so indiscriminately without respect for love, honor or responsibility? Questions such as these are asked only when the reader feels an involvement in the story; in the Iliad Homer makes that possible by breathing life into his characters, and we cannot help but share in a sense of loss when Hector dies as a victim of cruel circumstance."
Abstract The paper examines the many reasons which make Hector's death so tragic for the audience, including the influence of the omnipotent gods, Zeus's own grief at seeing a pious hero die, Hector's own personality and "family man" status, especially in conjunction with the "tragic widow"-in-waiting, Andromache and his prowess on the battlefield. The extent to which his death is the emotional climax of the poem is also discussed, as well as Hector's importance compared to Achilles.
From the Paper "Although the rage of Achilles is the theme of the Iliad, without the character of Hector the poem would be a much less interesting and pathetic experience. For Hector in life and climactic death brings home to the audience how destructive and tragic the rage of Achilles actually is. To this end, Homer has taken care with the portrayal and characterisation of Hector, and not overlooked him in favour of Greek heroes, as some critics have suggested. He is a good man, gentle and loving, and kind to his family. That in itself creates pathos at the point of his death. However, there is more than that to this character, and it is these complexities which add to this pathos. It is impressive that Homer has created a tragic hero of a modern, or even Shakespearean kind, in which a noble character trait, such as honour, causes the eventual downfall and is all the more tragic for it."
Discusses the comparisons between two relationships in ancient Greek literature: Hector and Andromache from the "Iliad" by Homer and Oedipus and Jocasta from the "Oedipal" trilogy by Sophocles.
Abstract The parallel gained by a closer study of the characters, Hector and Oedipus, shows both comparisons and contrasts that can be drawn. Both couples in these works by ancient Greek authors Sophocles and Homer show not only bittersweet pictures of the loving tragic family, but also show the differing emotions and reactions that an average person goes through during a personal crisis. The paper notes that, just as one can clearly see the depth of their relationships, one can clearly see the progression of the emotions in play. The depth, dynamics, and reactions of each relationship bring them to life and show not only the insight the writers had into human nature, but also the quality that these works have that makes them a part of our modern literature.
From the Paper "Another prominent similarity between the two couples is their outstanding family life. With Hector and Andromache, their scene with Astyanax is perhaps the most well-known and emotional scene of The Iliad. As Andromache and Hector meet on the Trojan precipice, they speak of their love and concern for each other and then play with their son. As the exchange between the three proceeds with laughter and love, we see the playtime with Astyanax as, "Then taking up his dear son he tossed him about in his arms, and kissed him, and lifted his voice in prayer to Zeus...:...grant this boy, who is my son, may be as I am...great in strength...and delight the heart if his mother," (91). We see not only the joy they share embodied in the boy, but Troy's hope for a future. The affectionate family dynamic, either atypical of ancient fathers or at least not written into much literature, is also seen with Oedipus and Jocasta's home life, though the audience may shudder."
Abstract Through a comparison and contrast of these works, this paper explains how each one reveals a richly layered analysis of 17 century France, its politics, culture and society.
From the Paper "Moliere's work is greatly respected and vastly studied by contemporary academia, but in the author's time it was frequently shunned and even banned for its elements of harsh criticism against the religious and social status quo. A satirical work, Tartuffe was found so offensive to its audience that it was banned after its seminal presentation (Slater xviii). Not only did Moliere's exposure of the hypocrisy he observed in his environment, but also his discussion of religious wrong-doings gave the French public-not to mention the French bureaucracy-much to criticize."
Abstract This essay argues that the treatment of women in Homer is not uniform, that there is a whole plethora of important features which distinguishes one woman from another, and which therefore makes it impossible to come up with one general description of the Homeric women.
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Thesis Statement
Abstract
The Treatment of Women in the Epic Poems of Homer
From the Paper "Slaves and slave-women did manage to sometimes occupy places of high honour in their master's households; a perfect example of that is Eurykleia, Telemachos' nurse, and friend to Penelope and Odysseus. She is placed with high trust by Telemachos as she is the only one informed by him of his intended search for his father. Still, though, the division between wife and slave is evident, and there can be "no doubt of her servile condition and absolute dependence" (Perry, 69) when Penelope, despite the fact that Eurykleia reared her up and is her favorite companion, tells her to "get thee down and back to the women's chambers, for if any of the maids of my house had brought me such tidings, and awakened me from sleep, straightaway would I have sent her back right rudely, but old age shall stand thee in good steed." (Odyssey, Book 23, lines 20-24). This shows not as much the treatment of women per se, as it was a conversation between one woman and another, but it does show that certain common characteristics between people, namely women, are at odds with other defining and descriptive things of the people, namely social status."
Abstract This paper summarizes Euripedes play "The Trojan Woman", and argues that the play is a great tragedy. It looks at the drama and tragic fate of the noble women of fallen Troy. The paper also examines the suffering of the female royal characters of Hecuba, Cassandra, Andromache. It looks at Helen as the character who undergoes less suffering.
