Gender Inequality in Greek Mythology

Choose a quotation of 4-8 lines from the Iliad and contrast it with the quotation from the
Odyssey below to make your own argument about the difference between their
perspectives on (1) violence or (2) divine justice or (3) gender or (4) kingship:
"I saw the beautiful Epikaste, Oidipodes’ mother [the mother of Oedipus],
who in the ignorance of her mind had done a monstrous
thing when she married her own son. He killed his father
and married her, but the gods soon made it all known to mortals.
But he, for all his sorrows, in beloved Thebes continued
to be lord over the Kadmeians, all through the bitter designing
of the gods; while she went down to Hades of the gates, the strong one,
knotting a noose and hanging sheer from the high ceiling,
in the constraint of her sorrow, but left to him who survived her
all the sorrows that are brought to pass by a mother’s furies." (Odyssey 11.271-280)

Make sure to incorporate into your argument:
the details of the passages through an analysis of the language
your larger understanding of the texts in which they appear
your ideas about the significance of the theme you choose in the two myths.
Have an introduction with a strong thesis, body paragraphs with analysis, and a
conclusion that shows how the analysis proves your thesis.

Answer Preview………….

The issue of gender and justice in Greek mythology has been addressed differently in different texts. The male gender is favored and always portrayed and superior to the female gender. These ideas appear in several texts despite the presence of female gods in the mythology. The death of Jocasta who was Oedipus’ mother and wife is one instance of gender and justice that seems to present the imbalance in the mythology. This is portrayed in the Odyssey 11.271-280 whereby after Jocasta committed suicide, her husband and son Oedipus continued to rule. A similar incident showing the inequality is seen in Theogony 600-606. Here, women are portrayed as having been created as a curse for mortal men. Greek mythology portrayed women as inferior to men and especially a liability that was easily disposable. First, it is necessary to understand the two texts from the incidences which are discussed here. In the case of the death of Jocasta, the reality of Oedipus the king is revealed when he realizes that he murdered his father and got married to his mother. Jocasta is heart-broken and…………….

APA 665 words