Papers on "Clytemnestra and Penelope" and similar term paper topics
Paper #067093 ::
Clytemnestra and Penelope
Buy and instantly download this paper now
A comparison between the characters of Clytemnestra from Aeschylus' "Agamemnon" and Penelope from Homer's "Odyssey."
Written in 2006; 900 words; 2 sources; MLA;
$ 31.95
Paper Summary:
This paper compares and contrasts two female characters from the Greek classics: Clytemnestra from Aeschylus' "Agamemnon" and Penelope from Homer's "Odyssey." The author shows how the lives of both characters are profoundly affected by the Trojan War and the absence of their husbands. However, the author also demonstrates how the two have completely opposite natures and motivations -- Clytemnestra's hate for Agamemnon and Penelope's love for Odysseus.
From the Paper:
"Penelope is the perfect match to Odysseus. Strong and determined, she has been hanging on to the hope that he will return to her one day. In the meantime, she has to make use of her intelligence to keep the suitors away from her and the throne. In an effort to protect her only son Telemakhos, she keeps the suitors' hopes of marrying her alive. She learns the ways of deceit as a means of survival. Smarter than the men who crowd her hall, she slips through their fingers with ingenious stratagems such as the weaving of the shroud and the bow competition. But her condition as a woman only allows her liberty of action to a certain extent. Even though her intelligence is enough to trick even the clever Odysseus as it is told in Book Twenty-three (the olive tree trunk bed), she knows that with the return of her husband her power is no more. As a woman, her will is accepted as long as it does not interfere with the male fancy. "This question of the bow will be for men to settle, most of all for me. I am master here" (Fitzgerald, 414), declares Telemakhos, neutralizing his mother's orders concerning the bow competition. Penelope does not question the limitations she has to accept because of her condition as a woman. She bows down to them, realizing that it is not for her to contradict a man's order. Penelope has never really wanted to ascend to the throne and govern Ithaca. It is the immediacy of the threat to Odysseus' power that pushes her to find a way to preserve what belongs to her man by right -- or, in this case, by marriage, since Odysseus has become ruler of the land by means of taking Penelope as his wife. Unlike Clytemnestra, whose ability to reign over Argos is admired and praised, Penelope is unable to maintain the order in Ithaca."
Tags:
trojan war ithaca power love hatred odysseus
More papers on "Clytemnestra and Penelope"
-
Paper #067817 :: Penelope in "The Odyssey" (
784 words; 1 source; MLA )
-
Paper #093501 :: Penelope's Suitors in Homer's "Odyssey" (
1,104 words; 1 source; MLA )
-
Paper #026796 :: Comparing Athena and Penelope (
2,454 words; 3 sources; MLA )
-
Paper #061391 :: The Weaving Power of Athena and Penelope (
1,715 words; 4 sources; APA )
-
Paper #097060 :: Clytemnestra's Role (
2,329 words; 4 sources; MLA )
About AcaDemon
We have thousands of high-quality term papers, research papers, essays, book reports and dissertations on every topic. At AcaDemon, you can download those term papers to help you write yours! You can be sure that the term paper, essay, book report or research paper, you download are top-quality, competitively priced and high-level work.
Look for more research papers, essays and book reports on
Clytemnestra and Penelope
|
If you can't find your topic here, try another search
or try our affordable, unique custom paper alternative
Custom Research Services include:
- Papers written from scratch, according to your specifications.
Every paper is UNIQUE - Guaranteed
- Professional, top-notch writers
- All topics covered
- Any deadline
- Your satisfaction guaranteed
Place a Custom Research order now
Find out more about Custom Research
|
|
|