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Women In Early Lit. - Online Essays

Women In Early Lit.

Women play different roles in early literature. In The Illiad, Gilgamesh, and Oedipus Rex, their roles determine the different amounts of power they possess and how they use the powers to influence the events that occur.
In The Illiad, the women throughout the story are treated as prizes. Homer expresses this when he writes:
I refused that glittering price for the young girl Chryseis. Indeed, I prefer her by far, the girl herself, I want her mine in my own house! I rank her higher that Clytemnestra, my wedded wife- she’s nothing less in build or breeding, in mind or works of hand. But I am willing to give her back, even so, if that is best or all(1.131-136).
There is no strong bond ...

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to seduce a man and take his mind off of what he should be doing.
Finally, In Oedipus Rex, the role of women shows the power of royalty and persuasion. Jocasta, Oedipus’ wife and mother, speaks:
And as for this marriage with your mother have no fear. Many a man before, you in your dreams, has shared his mother’s bed. Take such things for shadows, nothing at all- Live, Oedipus, as if there is no tomorrow! (1073-1079).

Here shows the power of persuasion that Jocasta has over Oedipus.
The women in these stories show power and use this to their advantage. They greatly influence the events that happen in these stories. These women range from royalty to harlots, however they all have the same influences over the men that they come in contact ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 8/15/2005 08:12:46 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 349
Pages: 2

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