![]() The passage above also demonstrates how important the concepts of lineage and paternity are to high-class individuals, as Telemachus is "fathered" and immediately seen as important in the world because of the importance of his father. This is why it is so easy for Telemachus to kill them later on, even though they are all the same age and grew up in the same castle. They are seen as less-than-human in the eyes of their owners, which means they are also seen as dispensable. Telemachus' life is celebrated their lives are barely valued. While he is a "princeling," the maids are likened to animals. The language in the passage above separates the maids from Telemachus. They were all born around the same time as Telemachus yet they had vastly different experiences. In this passage, the twelve maids are comparing themselves to Telemachus, who will later kill them. The Twelve Maids, "The Birth of Telemachus, An Idyll," page 67 Like the crocus, the rose, the sparrows engendered in the mud. Sold, drowned in the well, traded, used, discarded when bloomless. We were animal young, to be disposed of at will, Spawned merely, lambed, farrowed, littered,įoaled, whelped and kittened, brooded, hatched out their clutch. Helpless as he was helpless, but ten times more helpless as well,įor his birth was longed for and feasted, as our births were not. In the passage above, Penelope describes this transaction in her sardonic tone. Penelope's marriage is economic more than romantic-along with her hand in marriage, Odysseus receives many gifts and riches. They are important only for making advantageous marriages and for birthing sons. Within ancient Greek culture, women have less power than men. This passage appears right after Penelope is married to Odysseus. A package of meat in a wrapping of gold, mind you. She offers a feminist revision of the record that puts her narrative at the forefront and shows her own power, wit, and cleverness that is often eclipsed by her famous husband.Īnd so I was handed over to Odysseus, like a package of meat. Penelope is taking the power of storytelling into her own hands. Very little thought has been directed toward Penelope, who faithfully waited ten years for Odysseus's return to Ithaca. ![]() For centuries, the Western world has been enthralled by the Odyssey and its clever hero, Odysseus. In this passage, Penelope explains that it's her "turn" to tell her version of events. I'll spin a thread of my own Penelope, "A Low Art," pages 3-4 ![]() Now that all the others have run out of air, it's my turn to do a little story-making.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |