Classics Exam

• In the Odyssey, Goddesses are portrayed to wield significant power and control over the lives of mortals, however, despite their divine status, experience emotions and conflicts similar to humans.
• 'Such help does not diminish him as a hero: it enhances his status, because he is thought worthy to receive such aid from superior powers.' - Peter Jones
• 'Homer effortlessly blends the human and the divine’ - Peter Jones
• ‘The Sirens’ sweet song is a magical route to oblivion that underscores the dangerous power of words, especially in the hands of female singers’. - Kahane 
• In the Odyssey, gender roles are portrayed in a manner that reflects the societal norms and values of ancient Greek culture, which was predominantly patriarchal in which men are leaders and warriors and women have domestic roles, however, they also hold substantial power and agency.
• In the Odyssey, relationships between men and women are portrayed as in line with patriarchal views of the time, however Homer does subvert societal expectations as women have a considerable amount of power over men.
• In the Odyssey, the relationships between gods and men are presented as both a blessing and a curse as Homer presents the gods as powerful yet unpredictable beings with significant influence over the fate of mortals.
• • “these are not poems about Gods, but about human beings” - Kearns
• 'The bantering, teasing meeting between Odysseus and Athene is one of the most remarkable scenes of intimacy between a man and a God in all of Greek literature.' - Peter Jones
• 'Two important facts emerge about Penelope: her high intelligence… and her Odyssean cunning.' - Peter Jones
• • ‘the fidelity of Odysseus’ wife is crucial to the story, and the contrast between her and the disloyal wife of Agamemnon is repeatedly emphasised.’ - Griffin
• 'The magical elements of the Circe story are kept to a minimum, and the social elements - bathing, feeding etc,- stressed.' - Peter Jones
• 'Penelope is famous above all for her role as the faithful wife…But there is more to Penelope than that.' - Murray
• 'Weaving gives women power' - Ni Mheallaigh