Due to widespread migrations during the archaic period, there were numerous social and economic shifts that led to the creation of polis, or city states. (Blundell, 1995). However, the status of women in society as depicted in the literature at the time was not significantly altered by these changes. Women were portrayed in Odyssey as powerful, proactive individuals. This kind of portrayal of women represented a significant breaching of the preconceived notions of what women should be in the eighth century. This essay will examine how Nausicaa was portrayed in Odyssey and contrast that portrayal with Blundell's explanation of the reality of women's life. The Odyssey portrays Nausicaa as a responsible lady who is capable of performing some domestic activities on her own. Despite the fact that she had her personal slaves as the princess, Nausicaa still performed some chores. When Odysseus needed help with basic needs such as clothes and food, it is notes that Nausicaa was washing the royal robes in a river near where Odyssey. It is from there that the Goddess Athena guided her to offer Odyssey food, water, clothing and even wine (Homer & Fitzgerald, 1990). Nausicaa was so responsible that she even went ahead to offer direction to their home to Odysseus so that the Queen would help him find his way. This is in line with Blundell’s view on women’s role in the society during the archaic ages. Blundell (1995) concurs that women’s lives were characterised by a series of domestic activities and this was the case across all social classes. She gives the example that even if the queen’s slaves would prepare food for her, she would still have to play a role by serving the meal.
Odessey brings out clearly the attraction that Nausicaa has towards Odysseus. Nausicaa portrays her love for Odysseus when she shares with her friends that she wishes that Odysseus become her husband. Her father also had a similar expectation and even goes ahead to inform Odysseus that he would give room for a marriage to occur. Even though the affair does not materialize, Nausicaa purely had the hope for marriage (Homer & Fitzgerald, 1990). Blundell on the other hand says that women had limited say in the organization of their marriages. That this role was purely left out for the men. She points out that even the women who actively participated in arranging marriage ceremonies of other women had absolutely no say on their own marriages. Women as portrayed by Blundell (1995) played a minimal role in the choice of husbands and she adds that marriage was majorly about the son in law and the father in law. Odyssey’s implication that Nausicaa made the first move on Odysseus was an unusual occurrence during the archaic period. Nausicaa’s father. The king also hints about marriage to Odysseus and he has already accepted him if he is to be his son in law. Odyssey, through this case of Nausicaa, attempts to empower women to take a more active role in the choice of their husbands.
Women in ancient Greek had fewer rights compared to the men who actually controlled them almost for their entire lives. Major decisions concerning women were made by the men. Blundell brings out this position that portrays women as oppressed members of the society while Homer and Fitzgerald through the work, Odessey, attempts to liberate women from this stereotype.
References
Blundell, S. (1995). Women in Ancient Greek. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Homer, & Fitzgerald, R. (1990). The Odyssey. New York: Vintage Books.
