The Role of Women

Women are portrayed as being smart and loyal as well as not being inferior to men. Although some past civilizations have deemed women inferior to men, in Homers epic women are not seen as so and are actually pivotal. When it comes to loyalty both Athena and Penelope are loyal to Odysseus. Athena was loyal because she she helped Odysseys get back home as she said she would do. Penelope was loyal to Odysseus because although he was gone for 20 years she remained faithful to him. When it comes to being smart Penelope always found a way to hold back her suitors no matter how relentless they were. Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom among other things and she demonstrated it all throughout, from talking with the gods to disusing herself and Odysseus.