Role of Women in Greek Myth Essay - 874 Words

The role of women in ancient Greek life was insignificant compared to that of Greek men. A womans job was to take care of the children and to cook and clean unless she had servants or slaves that would do it for her. Yet, in Greek mythology, women were often written as major characters. Well-known Greek plays contain many well-written, complex, female characters. Female individuals in Greek mythology were often seen as very powerful and fierce and were depicted by â€Å"her wits, her beauty, or her bad deeds.† To start off we have Helen of Troy, a mortal woman, thought to be one of the most beautiful in her time. She left her husband Menelaus of Sparta for Paris of Troy and because of that and her beauty a 10 year war surged between Sparta†¦show more content†¦Another woman who also became strong and fierce with her vengeance was Medea, â€Å"her glare [was] as fierce as a bull’s†¦ [and she was] wild like a lion [who’d] just given birth...† Medea was a powerful witch and when she was wronged by her husband she used her powers for revenge. Medea’s husband, Jason, left her for another woman; he left her for a princess. And to that she stated â€Å"Most of the time, I know, a woman is filled with fear. She’s worthless in a battle and flinches at the sight of steel. But when she’s faced with an injustice in the bedroom, there is no other mind more murderous† (Medea 267-271). After lots of grieving for her husband’s treacher y she decides to pretend to be on good terms with him and sends his new with gifts; an embodied robe and a golden crown. She sent these gifts to her with her children however, using her powers she poisoned them so that the gifts would kill the new wife. Jason’s new wife â€Å"took the intricate robe and wrapped it around her body, and set the golden crown upon her curls†¦what happened next was terrible to see. Her skin changed color, and her legs were shaking†¦white foam at her mouth, her eyes popping up, the blood drained from her face†¦the gold gripped tight, and every movement of her hair caused the fire to blaze out twice asShow MoreRelatedThe Amazons Were A Group Of Warrior Women Who Fought Many Of The Great Greek Heroes1596 Words   |  7 Pagesgroup of warrior women who fought many of the great Greek heroes. They consistently went against what was considered the normal female role and led lives like their male counterparts. Unlike some myths in Greek m ythology, the myths that involve the Amazons are spread out over time and often have multiple variations of one myth. Myths involving the Amazons even sometimes have versions of the same myth with different Amazon warriors, making it difficult to understand what Amazon women is associated withRead MoreEssay on Mythological Gender Profiling and the Women of Greece811 Words   |  4 Pagesthe Women of Greece In the myths of the Centauromachy and the Amazonomachy, the Greeks found a manuscript for moral and disciplinary guidance in their dealings with the women of the time. By assigning the women of Greece hybris, Greek men targeted the women of Greece to intense programs of subjugation and social retribution in order to prevent the emergence of Centaurian or Amazonian traits, which would destroy the patriarchal nature of Archaic Greek culture. Generally, Greek myths tendRead MoreWomen s Influence On Women1545 Words   |  7 Pageshistory until about the last couple century’s women have had not as many rights compared to their male counter parts and this was especially evident in the ancient world. However women had more rights in places for example they had a bigger role in society compared to that of Greek women in ancient Greece. Women were cogs in a patriarchal dominated society woman were very much under their husbands control according to law and the most important role of women was to raise the children and work at theRead MoreHomeric Hymn To Demeter1287 Words   |  6 PagesHomeric Hymn to Demeter details the kidnapping of Persephone and the consequent fallout of this event. The myth itself represents a change in the structure of Greek myth, shifting from a centrally matriarchal system to that of a patriarchal. By casting feminine traits in a negative light and masculine traits in a positive light, the myth spreads a new ideology to the formerly matricidal Greeks. When taken individually, each of the scenes could be construed to be symbolic of this new system crushingRead MoreEssay about Gender Roles in Ancient Greek Society1391 Words   |  6 PagesGender Roles in Ancient Greek Society Throughout history, the roles of women and men have always differed to some degree. In ancient Greece, the traditional roles were clear-cut and defined. Women stayed home to care for children and do housework while men left to work. This system of society was not too far off the hunter gatherer concept where women cared for the house and the men hunted. Intriguingly enough, despite the customary submissive role, women had a more multifaceted role and imageRead More Greek Goddesses Essay1145 Words   |  5 Pages The Greek Goddesses In Greek mythology the gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus played a major role in everyday life. The Greeks respected them and thought of the gods as all mighty. In Ancient Greece the people honored and believe in the deities. Myths, poems, and epics tell the stories and beliefs referring to the gods and goddesses. Many literary works display the power and jobs of the goddesses. The Greek people lived to please the deities in hope of gaining a better lifestyle. TheRead MoreThe Myth Of Atalant A Reflection Of The Greek Values And Culture By Reading These Myths1386 Words   |  6 Pagesthe oath of the Gods. This shows that Greek culture greatly valued dependability and loyalty. Even though Apollo knew that bad things would happen if Phaeton rode the chariot, he had to keep his promise. In many cases the myths are a reflection of the Greek ideals and culture By reading these myths, it can be inferred that the Greeks valued loyalty greatly. 26. The myth of Atalanta shows that the Ancient Greeks saw women as less valuable than men. In the myth, Atalanta’s father abandoned her to dieRead MoreAncient Creation Myths1669 Words   |  7 PagesCreation Myths of the Ancient Greeks, Mesopotamians, and Chinese Zach Lenart Ancient Mythology East and West Professor Shawn Youngblood October 2, 2012 Lenart-1 Creation myths of are often examined, but more often than not they are looked at individually. Much more can be learned if different myths are analyzed at the same time, recognizing similarities and differences as well as overlapping themes in these myths. We can learn about many aspects of a culture from their creation myths. TheRead MoreGreek Goddess And Greek Women874 Words   |  4 PagesThis review attempts to analyze the Greek goddess Athena as well as Greek women whose function in society contrasts with the roles of a goddess. This topic is of relevance to feminist’s who are smashing down barriers on stereotypes of women, this study attempts to shed some light to recognize the roles of Athena and Greek women. Past research has analyzed the differences between Greek women and Athena on how they contrast with responsibilities. What is often ignored is the complexity of both individualsRead MoreGreek Mythology Of Ancient Greece1551 Words   |  7 Pagescreations of Anci ent Greece would have to be Greek mythology. These myths included hundreds of stories and teachings that would have a lasting effect on Greek culture for centuries to come. When taking a deeper look into some of these myths, one may notice gender and sexual behavior to be themes that occur quite frequently. One also cannot help but notice that some social conditions in Ancient Greece, such as the importance of beauty, the treatment of women, and beast-like sexual behavior, revolved

The Changing Roles of Women in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles...

In Susan Glaspell’s Trifles, the theme of contrasting roles between men and women is magnified by the setting of a lonely, Midwestern farm isolated from the public. This play demonstrates how different the roles between men and women were, and how women were treated. Trifles, also illustrates the changing times in the late 19th century to early 20th century. During this time period, women become more independent and wanted to be equal to men instead of inferior to them. Trifles, takes place in the late 1880s to early 1900s on a Midwestern farm in a small town. The play is about a woman named Minnie Wright who is a suspect in her husband’s murder. The police begin to search through the Wright home looking for evidence to†¦show more content†¦Men were considered the â€Å"breadwinners† of the family, and they got all the respect. Their jobs were very physically demanding and extremely difficult. The men spent a majority of their time out working in the fie lds. They would plow the fields and harvest all the plants and crops. The men were responsible for raising the cattle, hogs and other farm animals. They also had to raise grains and hay for the winter so the animals would have food. Men had to go out hunting and bring home food for their families so they could eat. The men controlled all of the money in the house, including the money that the wife and children made. â€Å"In general, women and boys earned half to two-thirds of an adult mans wage, which, in 1930, ranged from around $1.50 a day in southern Illinois to around $2.20 a day in the wealthier prairie regions† (â€Å"The Changing Roles of Farm Women†). Women and children made substantially less than the men did, even though their jobs were just as demanding as the men’s. (â€Å"The Changing Roles of Farm Women†). The role for women on farms was much different and arguably harder than that of the men’s. Many women in the 19th century worked out in the fields with their husbands for a good portion of the day. On top of this they had to cook at least three large meals a day, take care of the children and perform many other tasks. â€Å"They cared for the sick and infirm, having primary responsibility for aging relatives† (â€Å"The Changing Roles of FarmShow MoreRelatedEssay on Feminist Themes of Susan Glaspells Plays1558 Words   |  7 Pages Susan Glaspell was one of the first great American female playwrights. Her plays are often short, one or two acts, but they tell a story greater than just what appears on the page. Three of her plays, Trifles (1916), Women’s Honor (1918), and The Verge (1921), have feminist themes that show the consequences of the oppression of women, as is the case with many of her plays. All three plays were written during the first wave of feminism, during which there was a push for women to have jobs and opportunitiesRead MoreFeminist Criticism Of Susan Glaspell s Trifles 1512 Words   |  7 Pagesand always changing. What stems from the feminism theory is feminist literary criticism â€Å"feminist criticism examines the ways in which literature (and other cultural productions) reinforces or undermines the economic, political, social, and psychological oppression of women† (Critical Theory Today, 4 Feminist Criticism, pg. 79 Tyson, Louis). This theory shows us how patriarchal ou r society is and that’s how Susan Glaspell’s shows her work in her life time where women only had a few roles. They wereRead MoreThe Use of Symbols in Susan Glaspell’s Play Trifles1421 Words   |  6 PagesIn the nineteenth century until the twentieth century, women lived under men’s shadows. In that time, inequality between genders was the most obvious thing that characterized the society. Women’s role was guided by men and was simply related to their domestic environment; nothing but a caring wife and a busy mother. Unlike now, men looked at women as machines that had to provide comfort and mind relax to their husbands even if their husbands did not provide that to them. To be specific, society inRead MoreSusan Glaspell s Trifles And A Jury Of Her Peers984 Words   |  4 Pages Although â€Å"A Jury of Her Peers† and â€Å"Trifles† are similar in plot, Mustazza’s article, â€Å"Generic Translation and Thematic Shift in Susan Glaspell’s ‘Trifles’ and ‘A Jury of Her Peers’† highlights the differences and similarities between the two. Mustazza’s article may help aid readers to understand the differences between Glaspell’s two works and provide understanding as to why Glaspell may have changed the genre and form of the plot. â€Å"Trifles† is a dramatic play whereas â€Å"A Jury of Her Peers† is proseRead MoreThe Feminist Manifesto, And Susan Glaspell s Trifles1257 Words   |  6 Pagesboth victorious struggle and violent controversy. As women fought for equality with men in the early twentieth century, literature was inspired by this movement. Modernist writers used their artform to provide social commentary in similar ways to realistic writers of the nineteenth century. However, modernist thought allows a much more obvious agenda to be presented through literature. Mina Loy, in â€Å"Feminist Manifesto,† and Susan Glaspell, in â€Å"Trifles,† both used their respective writings to convey personalRead MoreThe Oppression Of Women : Susan Glaspell s Trifles And Sophocles Antigone981 Words   |  4 PagesOppression of Women in a Male Dominated Society The plays Susan Glaspell’s Trifles and Sophocles’ Antigone, examine the contrast between the roles of women versus that of a man. The women in Trifles are viewed as second class citizens, who are expected to follow the beliefs and commands of the man, whereas, Antigone is a head strong and defiant woman, who didn’t mind challenging man’s authority. From the beginning of time, the view of women is that as inferior to men. In both of these plays, the women areRead MoreGender Roles In Trifles By Susan Glaspell1200 Words   |  5 Pagesgender socialization and gender roles have existed in society. During the late 19th to the early 20th century, genders roles began to shift. This is mainly due to the shift as more women took on more professional affairs. Because of this shift, women became less reliant on male dependency, allowing them to be socially equal in the eyes of men. In Susan Glaspell’s play, Trifles makes a moving statement how the gender role s were in the early 20th century and how women were treated. The play takes placeRead Moreâ€Å"a Doll’s Trifles† a Essay Comparing the Plays â€Å"Trifles† and â€Å"Dollhouse.†1937 Words   |  8 Pagesâ€Å"A Doll’s Trifles† A essay comparing the plays â€Å"Trifles† and â€Å"Dollhouse.† Joshua Long English 102 Amy Lannon Read MoreSymbolic Inequality In A Jury Of Her Peers Essay1670 Words   |  7 Pagesoppression of women throughout the centuries can be seen in many literary sources. The system from which women experienced misogyny and oppression is a social structure known as patriarchy. Furthermore, in A Jury of Her Peers, symbolism conveys the patriarchy of the Nineteenth Century. First, it is imperative that one knows what exactly patriarchy is: â€Å"a social system in which power is held by men, through cultural norms and customs that favor men and withhold opportunity from women† (â€Å"Patriarchy†)

Emergent Properties free essay sample

Emergent Properties Emergent properties are properties that come about when smaller components combine together to form a large unit that works together for a common purpose. The idea of emergent properties is based on the fact that the whole combined unit is more efficient than the sum of all of the units. These properties cannot be seen when the organisms are separated from one another, the organisms must be together for the properties to take effect. Emergent properties have come about for the fact that when combined, these organisms can perform much more complex and advanced tasks that the organisms would not be able to complete on their own. In nature we see many emergent properties arise from evolution. When birds branched off from reptiles during their evolution, they developed feathers instead of scales. These feathers do not enable flight on their own, however when combined to form a wing they become much more efficient. We will write a custom essay sample on Emergent Properties or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page When these two wings come together to form a pair of wings the result is an extremely efficient form of transportation that is not only light but also water resistant. Another example of emergent properties would be evident in our brain. Which each brain cell does not possess much computing power, however when billions of them are combined together, the result is a very efficient computing unit that can provide us with such things as thoughts emotions and character. Each brain cell alone would not be able to do these things. Emergent properties exist all around us and we even display some of these properties. One example of emergent properties would be the collaboration of many human beings. Separated, our minds are powerful, but nearly limited. Once combined we can collaborate with each other and perform many tasks efficiently, such as running a county, for example. It is not a coincidence that dictatorships are notoriously unsuccessful. There are also many emergent properties that exist beyond living things. For example when you have a hurricane, essentially all you have is air and water at various different temperatures. The randomness of this collection of air produces a large air mass that has a specific circular motion which is very powerful and devastating to anything that comes into contact with it. The air itself and the water vapor would not be able to cause this force on their own. It is the random order that makes this hurricane so powerful and hard to predict. Another example of emergence away from biology is currency. Currency or money came about as people wanted to trade with one another, but had no medium to do so. Alone, a single person would not need money. It is only useful and evident as many people come together to form a group. Without this group the money would have no value because it’s value is determined by people who are willing to trade with it. In conclusion emergence is evident throughout nature and even past it. It is the way  complex systems  and patterns arise out of a  multiplicity  of relatively simple interactions. Emergence is central to the understanding of communities and ecosystems where it be in living organisms or beyond biology.

College Tuition free essay sample

A Hardship for American Families To flourish in America today, the average student will have to go to a high-quality college, earn a degree and land a successful job to eventually support a family. However, success is easier said than done, because all of those steps are vital. The step that many Americans struggle with is affording a high-quality college, not because they arent smart or skilled enough, but because Americans cannot pay for the pricy tuition and additional expenses. The rising of college tuition scares many, even though they yearn for a college degree. Two reasons for this struggle are that college costs are taking a monumental percentage out of Americans salaries, and most importantly the large amount of debt students await after graduation. Even though many people succeed in our country today, most Americans struggle to send their child to a good college to fulfill his or her dream. Even though many Americans succeed in our country today, most Americans struggle to send their child to a first-class college to fulfill his or her dream. B ooks, housing, tuition, and transportation combined for college dents a hole in Americans annual income. The cumulative college expense is stealing too much money out of Americans wallets. Even though many think college is worth the price; is it worth risking all that money? For example, in 2012, college cost took 55% of the lowest income Americans salaries compared to only 39% from 1999- 2000. For those Americans, college seems like a long shot because they still have to pay for the of living, which includes food, housing, and paying taxes (Update:  College  Tuition Costs) . Also, college costs took 25% of the total salary of middle- income families and16% of upper- middle income families (Update:  College  Tuition Costs). For those families, college is a huge possibly, but those students will still have a large amount of debt to pay off afterwards. The impact of these percentages rising is the fact that Americans might not be able to send their child to the college of his or her choice because of rising costs. Americans may argue that these rising percentages cause colleges to make more money and eventually put more Americans to work by establishing different programs. In order for colleges to succeed, they will an increase in enrollment, to eventually force colleges to make the college dream more affordable. If the price of college decreases, the debt that awaits most students post graduation will decrease immensely. The rising college costs are pinning Americans with thousands of dollars of debt post graduation. Recent studies show that sixty nine percent of families eliminated college choices because of costs (Adams). Parents want the best for their children, and want to do anything for them. Conversely, at the end of the day, families need to think what they can financially afford; and in our economy today college is not affordable. For example, in 2012, the average student debt after college was $25,250. 0. Because of this massive amount of debt, Americans are constantly scrambling to earn extra money to eventually pay off the debt (Average Student Loan Debt: $25,250). The impact of college debt is that Americans are struggling to spend more money on necessities because they are too busy worrying about their college debt. Americans may counterclaim that most Americans eventually pay off their college debt. That is not the point. The point is that most Americans walk out of graduation with thousands of dollars of debt, and that in some cases it is unavoidable. The Pew report found that even the richest twenty percent of households, owed the biggest share of student debt (Yen). Even families whose income exceeds seventy thousand a year struggle with paying tuition. Should families sacrifice college in order to save money? No, college is important and tuition must be lowered in order for family and students to constantly stop worrying about finances. The combination of the price to afford college and the amount of debt that awaits most Americans after graduation is outrageous. Even though many Americans succeed in our country today, many Americans struggle to financially afford to send their child to a commendable college in order to acquire a prestigious degree. This is truly a shame, but in some unfortunate cases, inevitable. In these tough economic times, Americans need to be a part of at an excellent college, but they will first have to overcome huge obstacles. Someone has to give in order for Americans to succeed. Christine McKeon Mrs. Hayes Honors English IV 12 December 2012 Works Cited- Argumentative Paper Finnegan, Leah. Average Student Loan Debt: $25,250.   The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost. com, 03 Nov. 2011. Web. 06 Dec. 2012. Update: College Tuition Costs.   Issues amp; Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 22 Feb. 2010. Web. 7 Jan. 2013. lt;http://www. 2facts. com/article/i1400140gt;. Adams, Caralee J. College Choices Shift in Tough Economy.   Education Week  8 Aug. 2012: 4. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Yen, Hope. Student Loan Debt Stretches To New Record Number Of Households: Pew Research Analysis.   The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost. com, 26 Sept. 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2012. Gale Database: Update: College Tuition Costs.   Issues amp; Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 22 Feb. 2010. Web. 7 Jan. 2013. lt;http://www. 2facts. com/article/i1400140gt;. A record 18. 4 million students enrolled in U. S. colleges for fall 2009, the last year for which data are available. A college degree or advanced degree—whether an associates degree, which typically takes two years to earn; a bachelors degree, which often takes around four years; or a degree that requires even more study, such as a masters or doctorate—is seen as essential for a person wishing to join the so-called knowledge-based economy. If one aspires to any of a variety of jobs, whether a low-level office worker, a heart surgeon or an investment banker, the pursuit of that position starts with obtaining a college degree. College tuition, however, is increasingly expensive, and typically rises each year, often at a rate that far exceeds the rate of growth of the consumer price index, an economic indicator that tracks changes in prices. Consequently, the inflation-adjusted cost of attending college in the 2008–09 academic year was approximately three times more than the cost of attending college in 1973–74. Many critics have questioned that drastic increase, arguing that it is not fair for todays college students to pay tens of thousands of dollars more for a college degree than students did several generations ago. [See  Update: College Tuition Costs] In December 2007, the U. S. entered an economic recession, further complicating the college-tuition debate. The recession has caused colleges across the U. S. to tighten their belts and reduce spending. At the same time, most schools have raised their tuition, although the rate at which they have done so for recent school years was not nearly as drastic as in past years. The average four-year public college or university increased tuition 6. 5% between 2008–09 and 2009–10, while tuition at private colleges and universities went up 4. 4%. Both of those rates are higher than the overall rise in the consumer price index over that time, 3. 8%. Nevertheless, college tuition remains a source of fierce debate among parents, students, college administrators and government officials. In 2009–10, the average four year-public college charged in-state students $15,213 in tuition plus room and board; the average private institution charged $35,636. Does college in the U. S. cost too much? Critics of college tuition costs say that college is becoming increasingly the domain of the wealthy, with a growing number of lower-income and middle-class families unable to pay the stratospheric costs, including tuition, room and board, books and other miscellaneous expenses. College students who manage to graduate are typically saddled with enormous debt, critics say; they note that many students have even begun paying their tuition with credit cards. Critics also assert that many students do not even receive an adequate education in return for their money. Because college is so expensive, most students graduate with significant amounts of debt. A College Board report found that roughly 66% of students who earned their bachelors degree in 2008 graduated with outstanding student loan debt. On average, students graduating in 2008 owed $23,200, according to a study by the Project on Student Debt, a non-profit organization. That figure represented an increase of about 25% increase over the corresponding 2004 data, suggesting that student debt is growing at an alarming rate. Finnegan, Leah. Average Student Loan Debt: $25,250.   The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost. com, 03 Nov. 2011. Web. 06 Dec. 2012. Members of the college class of 2010 who took out student loans owed on average $25,250 upon graduation, a 5 percent increase from the year before, according to a new analysis released Thursday. The figures, compiled using college survey data by The Project on Student Debt, indicate average indebtedness increasing at about the same annual rate as in the last five years, but still give a fresh snapshot of what many advocates and experts call an alarming reliance on borrowed money to pay for college. Roughly two-thirds of the class of 2010 borrowed for college, and they were hit especially hard because the unemployment rate for new college graduates stood at 9. 1 percent the year they graduated – though thats less than half the rate for counterparts who only have a high school degree. Another cause for concern: because of data limitations, the figures do not include students at for-profit college, where other recent data show 96 percent of graduates have loans and they borrow nearly 50 percent more than those who graduate from other four-year schools. Debt levels do vary widely from school to school, and from region to region. The average level at individual colleges ranges from $950 to over $55,000. The report identifies 15 nonprofit institutions where students graduate with unusually high debt levels, a list that encompasses schools ranging from Regent University in Virginia to New York University to a number of art schools. Meanwhile, students in the Northeast and Midwest generally had substantially higher debts than those in the West. New Hampshire had the highest average graduating debt of any state at $31,048, while Utah was lowest at $15,509.