6. What roles do women play in the Odyssey?

Which women hold the most

power?

Women were not weak, meaningless institutions in the background; they

were powerful and knowledgeable. They charmed and manipulated the guys,
caring for them and providing obedience, commitment, and guidance. Women are
sexualized and portrayed in The Odyssey in one of two ways: as warm and
pleasant seductresses or as cruel seductresses. Women in the Odyssey are
sexualized throughout and are shown in both a positive and negative light based on
meaning. This exemplifies the sexism of Greek men and culture. Athena is the
most powerful women, the Greek goddess of wisdom, as being a very powerful yet
caring woman; a guardian angel of sorts. Athena has a soft spot for Odysseus, the
courageous and intelligent hero. Athena is a confident, reasonable, and perceptive
woman who is a master of disguises and a tough warrior.

7. Characterize Penelope as a wife and a mother

Penelope, a faithful wife, caring mother, wise woman, and noble queen, embodies
perfection in the same manner as her heroic husband Odysseus did in leading the Greeks to
victory in the Trojan War. Penelope rules the kingdom with the highest values of humanity,
protects the tradition of the house and the unity of the family by not m arrying any of her suitors
while Odysseus is away for approximately twenty years fighting in the war, enduring
imprisonment, and wandering on the sea. Telemachus, her son, is raised to be strong and gentle
like his father, as well as intellectual and kind, with a sound mind and body.