Analysis Of Homer s The Iliad - 1872 Words

Homer’s The Iliad encapsulates the contradictory presentations of the female archetype, while also demonstrating their effect on the male gender. Many factors fuel the male thirst for glory and honor, which also contributes to the notion of women accessorizing these qualities. Although the majority of the women shown in the poem are regarded as weak and servile characters, Hera defies this label and uses her power of seduction to establish control. However, in the mortal world this is not common, and women are traded as war prizes. Homer exemplifies this concept through Chryseis and Briseis, and thus displays the powerless side of women. Through Hera, and the importance of war prizes in the poem, women are depicted as objects of ruin,†¦show more content†¦Hera is one of the few women even mentioned in the poem, already representing their lack of prevalence in ancient Greek society. The dominance of men in the social infrastructure leaves women with almost no options f or having any position of authority. The restrictions placed on the women in the poem force them to rely on their only trait that will gain them the upper hand; seduction in the form of sexual appeal. The mortal women presented by Homer have almost no freedom and only have the sole purpose of trying to appease the men in their lives. While Hera is immortal and therefore possesses some power based on her status and relation to Zeus, her only asset that will allow her to fulfil her desires, is her sexual strength. As she contemplates how to distract Zeus so she can secretly assist the Achaeans, she strategizes a plan where, â€Å"she will lie by her naked body and make immortal love and she might drift an oblivious, soft warm sleep across his eyes and numb that seething brain [of Zeus]† (Homer 14.201-203). Homer’s inclusion of this scene places a lot of emphasis on the cunning and intelligent side of Hera, also two qualities rarely shown through females during this time period. While Hera is internally battling her conscience over how to secure an Achaean victory, it becomes evident her options are limited. In order to accomplish her goals, Hera is forced to use her sexual power as a female and manipulate Zeus into