Abstract This paper examines how, although Odysseus is without a doubt the main character of Homer's "The Odyssey", the women of the epic support and make possible the progression of his voyage. It analyzes how the importance of the roles of these women is grossly understated and how they are more than 'damsels in distress', for they drive the action of the story. It looks at how they are responsible for the rise, fall, and the eventual return home of Odysseus and how, on each leg of Odysseus's journey, there is a woman who is instrumental in the continuation of his voyage. It shows how Nausicaa, Arete, Penelope, and Athena are among the more impressive and intriguing women who influence and facilitate Odysseus's continued journey home.
From the Paper "The character of Penelope is perhaps the most underestimated in the entire epic. She is portrayed as the typical woman. She weeps incessantly then takes to her bed so that Athena may bring comforting dreams. Penelope, however, is much more faithful, powerful, intelligent and cunning than her weeping and sleeping might lead the reader to believe. In addition to being intelligent and cunning, Penelope is intensely loyal and faithful to Odysseus throughout his absence. Without Penelope's enduring faithfulness, Odysseus would not have had a home to return to. At first glance, Penelope appears to be rather powerless. On the contrary, she is able to hold the suitors at bay for nearly twenty years."
Abstract This paper argues that the concepts of ethics and moral law of modern western democratic society are based largely on those proposed by Immanuel Kant in his essay "Fundamental Principles of the Meta-physic of Morals." The author looks at these concepts and tries to draw a comparison between their application in the twenty-first century, as well as in Homeric society.
From the Paper "The importance of religion in Homeric society and the submission to fate by men are integral to understanding why the Homeric Greeks did not hold themselves accountable for any form of moral responsibility. A devastating attack on the Greek lines by the Trojans leads the god Poseidon, who has Greek sympathies, to threaten that any man who willingly ceases from fighting will not return home and shall become food for the dogs of Troy (Homer 13.234). It follows that this threat excludes those who do not fight as a result of forces beyond their control, or against their will. This suggests that there was amongst the Greeks a belief in divine intervention, a suggestion illustrated by Agamemnon when he realises that the Achaeans shall fall before the Trojans without the presence of Achilles."
Tags: achilles, arete, homer, honor, honour, iliad, kant, odyssey, time, moral, law, belief, society
Abstract This paper explores the effects of Greek and Roman legal systems on today's Western practices of law. It shows the influences and contributions of these societies and provides a brief history of both.
From the Paper "As two of the fundamental civilizations of the early western world, Greece and Rome share several key social and cultural attributes. One of the most prominent similarities between these two societies relates to the evolutionary process of their development of law. Although both were among the first in their respective regions to formulate specific law codes, Rome was dramatically influenced by the successes and failures of early Greek law, going so far as to shape its own law code around that of Solon, the Greek reformer. Principles of several Mesopotamian societies, such as the concept of capital crimes, were instrumental in shaping early Athenian law processes and procedures; meanwhile, these Greek legal practices were crucial in the later development of Roman law. The established legal world of Rome would eventually prove to be an inspiration to most law conventions of the modern West."
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 examines Aristotle's claim that politics makes us truly happy, and that the natural endpoint or telos of man is found in politics. It discusses the 'natural' phenomenon of politics and how happiness can be achieved through practicing the doctrine of the mean. It looks at the Sophist contradictions and the evolutionary nature of politics due to the teleological reasoning of Aristotle. It also discusses the criticisms of Aristotle through prejudices he had and in terms of the vagueness of the term fulfillment.
From the Paper "Aristotle's claim that politics fosters mans happiness centres around his view that politics is the natural endpoint (telos) for man and that it is a practical tool which should provide the natural and moral conditions suitable for human happiness and fulfilment (eudamonia). Aristotle bolsters his argument with metaphysical claims concerning the teleological nature of man. His view contradicted with the Sophist position of the time, which stated that politics was created to restrain the natural desires of man. Instead Aristotle believed that the happiness and virtue of all citizens was entwined with politics and that politics was natural, and not a socially constructed phenomenon, but was a natural evolution from basic, small familial structures, that characterised the governance of early mankind."
