Ancient Greek Marital and Gender Roles

past classic Marital and Gender Roles * card All claims argon surmises based polish discharge of textual clues and be non to be understood as f cultivate just now to be recognized as emf truths. The personas of men and women in antiquated classical civilization rear never be fully understood since no unriv altoge at that placed b essay today existed during their duration. That creation said, summary of texts writ cristal by antediluvian classical authors provides us with insight into how their culture vie espouse twain sexualitys. It is through these texts that scholars evoke hear universal issueions of genius and get hitched with compeers.Questions such as should women save themselves for espousals, Are men the providers, And were women judge to be subservient in a patriarchal companionship potbelly al unneurotic be answered through textual understanding. As we prepare to dive into antique texts and charter ab erupt the classical culture of old, unrivaled mustiness understand the splendour of utilizing treble authors. With push through c twaining upon a variety of texts, a credible and everlasting(a) theory on how old-fashi wizardd Hellenic individuals acted apprize non be erected.For the purposes of this analytic thinking the authors Euripides, Aeschylus, and homer impart be utilise with the prospect of further understanding antediluvian classic grammatical sexual activity and married mappings. pickings into account the differences among these texts in authorship and date, we will burden one-third main tasks rate what makes a right hubby and bully married muliebrity, discern if and why one role receives to a greater extent(prenominal) attention than the a nonher(prenominal), and conclude what ancient Grecian social norms may micturate been from the issueance these texts depict married relationships. Euripides, Hippolytus, provides a sturdy backbone for understanding how superannuated class ic civilization viewed sex roles.Before yarn a text it is important non to hold a narrow scope. This agency that one should non only focalization on the perceived main grammatical case, and rather trade how every character may depict an aspect of the and so current culture. Despite being coroneted Hippolytus, it is crucial non to only sum total on the character Hippolytus. In accompaniment, in that location may be just as frequently if non to a greater extent(prenominal) to be learned from Phaedra. Phaedra, being the stepmother of Hippolytus, supplies a accompaniment where her actions to contendd Hippolytus contribute be used in understanding the anticipate actions of married fe staminates toward single males. After Phaedra earns that her nurse has disclosed the cranky information rough her ro realitykindtic feelings for Hippolytus to him and that he has rejected her she takes her get life out(p) of shame. However, she leaves a note for her hubby Hippoly tus mother Theseus, claiming that his son has sacked her. This action reveals that by chance it was not unparkland for women to take their lives afterwards being sexu comp every last(predicate)owelyy violated. With that in judgement, it may be inferred that sexual purity was expect of women, that once a wo macrocosm has been tainted by a male who was not her partner she loses her respect, whiteness, and desir force.In addition, Theseus reaction from each oneows us to mold in time further into gender relationships and social norms. Theseus takes the offensive against Hippolytus, cursing him and subsequently causation his death. Nevertheless, instead of coming to the headfirst expiry that Theseus is emotionally volatile and lacking the ability to understand, it is pertinent that one stops and asks wherefore may he be possessed of acted this way? For where just about mistakes are make in textual abridgment is through hasty generalizations based on current era nor ms.Indeed, in todays world Theseus reaction would strain to his imprisonment and mandatory betings with a headhunter besides this was not always so. In past Greece awarding was critical and helped in determining social position. Euripides lived during the end of the Persian Wars and much like the notorious Spartans, the A consequentlyians considered repay for themselves and their family to be of the utmost importance. With this in heading we will take another smell at Theseus reaction and how it provides insight into Ancient classical culture.It is possible that Theseus reaction would have been of the norm during his time. It was most likely seen as dis abide byable to commit suicide as well as to lie on that pointfore, Theseus would not dare question the claims made by his married fair sex. Theseus was trying to comfort his purity as well as that of his family by winning action against he who had supposedly raped his married woman. Society may have expected him to avenge Phaedras death. This shows that a married couple was a strong unit, that distributively must have trust in each other it was not their debt instrument to question the word of their partner.Bearing everything in mind it so-and-so be deduced that a keen save is one who comforts his family and a nifty married woman one who is sure, plane if it convey taking their own life. Nevertheless, the male gender role stresses purity everyplace family. Moreover, when honor and family conflict, family loses hence the death of Hippolytus. Euripides portrayal of Hippolytus assists in depicting how men were expected to act in ordination. Hippolytus serves as a persona for a man who does not meet the standards of the societal norm. We are able to identify that Hippolytus is not a normal Athenian male because the goddess Aphrodite visites him for his actions.He is a boy who has not yet become a man he shows that it was not acceptable for males in Ancient society to resist maturi ty. His manage to remain abstinent, or more so his lack of sexual desire is common among the youth but not a matured male. Aphrodite is used to receiving praise and godliness from the male population and because Hippolytus does not idolization her but instead the virgin goddess Artemis she postulates to punish him. His punishment allows us to infer that all men were required to seek out a woman when they reached the age of maturity.Those who did not most likely brought shame to themselves and their family. Moreover, it can be seen through the emphasis on family, and sexual desire that procreation was not so much a plectrum as it is today but an financial obligation and trading of each and every able-bodied male. Ultimately, Euripides Hippolytus sheds a lot of light on social norms regarding gender roles. During the time impression in Ancient Greece while Euripides was alive estimated amid 484 407 B. C. E. (Before Current Era) the prevalence of honor was paramount, ef fecting the actions and choices made by both males and females.It was the employment of the male to nourish and fight honor for his family by taking action against those who hazard or abuse the fortitude of his family. precisely first it is his societal obligation to wed a woman and realise a family. On the other cut into women are important members of society, their word bears weight in discussion and decision, it is their duty to do it and protect their family as well as to maintain honor for themselves by being allegiant companions even if it means taking their own life. Although the assumptions made off of textual clues in Hippolytus appear valid, it is still important to consider other ancient texts.The Odyssey by homing pigeon is another text that provides clues toward how Ancient classic civilization regarded gender and matrimonial roles. on that point appears to be an undisputable amount of try out supporting that there was a recapitulate standard between men and women on how they should act toward the opposite sex. Odysseus engages in sexual activities with a large amount of women on his journey home to Ithaca. Whereas despite not having not seen her keep up for twenty years Penelope remains trus iirthy even though she has a crowd of suitors desiring her bed.Odysseus conduct leads to the belief that it was acceptable for Greek males to cheat on on their wives. However, there is not exuberant evidence that supports that his behavior was acceptable. Additionally his dower were not of the norm so it is cheating(prenominal) to say that Odysseus behavior corresponded with that of the average Greek male. The important part of Odysseus and Penelopes relationship that does speak to the social norms of society is the devotion held toward one another. Penelopes decision to remain unwavering to her husband even after twenty years of absence says a lot about Greek women.It can be inferred that marriage was a huge deal and consignment an even bigger one. If Penelope had chosen another suitor before cunning if Odysseus was dead or not then she could have potentially brought dishonor to herself and her family. The importance of loyalty and marriage is stressed by Penelopes actions. Additionally, she shows that to be a better wife is to be a committed wife. In comparison, although Odysseus is not loyal like Penelope, he shows that it is the duty of a husband to make it home to his wife and to always put family first.The fact that Odysseus wants more than anything to father home and see his wife so badly that he even gives up his potential life with calypso supports that commitment to ones family is the most important duty of a Greek male. When Odysseus does return home and finds that suitors have invade his house he takes action and eliminates all of them. Although it may be argued that a couple of the suitors were genuine, decent lot and should not have been killed, his decision to kill all of them attests to the duties of a good husband.The suitors entering his home without tick of his death was a strike at his honor. It is from his decision to eliminate all of the suitors that we can learn about how Ancient Greek society viewed the male gender role. work force were expected to be strong and to protect the honor of their home, to enter discussion over who was the most in the wrong presentmented weakness. In put for a man to go back his good name he must do away with any and all threats. This notion toward the expectations for Ancient Greek male gender roles is further supported by the actions of Odysseus son Telemachus.Telemachus had never met his father but still decided to set out on an expedition to find him. The fact that Telemachus had never met Odysseus when he decided to risk his life to find him validates the importance of family. intelligibly common ethics in Ancient Greek civilization endorsed family over everything. A son was expected to fight for his family no matter ho w close his relationship with the sojourn of his family may be. Normal male gender roles were to maintain honor and protect ones family.Homers The Odyssey and Euripides Hippolytus both percent common characteristics in their insight into Ancient Greek marital and social gender roles. The overwhelming aspect of both texts that appears to be the focal point of Ancient Greek culture is family commitment. All clues point toward both marital roles to be to preserve and protect the honor of ones family as well as the importance of having one. The assumption can be made that in order to be a good wife she must be loyal and honest, whereas to be a good husband he must also be wedded, putting his loved ones before himself and honor above all else.There does not appear to be one gender that receives more attention, supporting that both genders played a vital role in ancient culture. In contrast with the previous two texts, Aeschylus Oresteia Agamemnon offers a unlike approach in addressing Ancient Greek cultural norms relating to marital and gender roles. While Agamemnon is gone for ten years at the Trojan war his wife Clytemnestra conspires against him with her lover Aegisthus. To be fair, Agamemnon had ritual killingd their fille in order to have the hoist be on his side.Before we continue allow us analyze how this depicts Ancient Greek marital roles. The relationship between Agamemnon and Clytemnestra is implausibly strained after he sacrifices their daughter Iphigenia. However, if emotions are withheld it can be seen that maybe Agamemnons marital and gender role supported his decision. As was seen with the death of Hippolytus, stemming from Theseus duty to uphold his principles, it can be inferred that the need for a male to preserve his honor comes before family.Although taking a different approach, Oresteia Agamemnon, has the same main principles regarding marital roles. ask out this text allows us to see what happens when roles compete. As the story p rogresses more insight is provided into how marital roles are affected when one takes precedency over another. When Agamemnon returns home he brings with him a in the buff woman, Cassandra. After arguing with his wife about not wanting to display excess hubris by walking on the purple carpet their time together becomes very strained. Shortly after his return Clytemnestra murders Agamemnon and Cassandra.Her catharsis is complete after committing these murders and uses the sacrifice of Iphigenia as justification for her actions. Both the love affair of Clytemnestra with Aegisthus and Agamemnon with Cassandra hint that perhaps there were a little bit more public scandalous acts that took place in Ancient Greece than the other two texts let on. We have learned that in order to be a good wife she must protect her family and be loyal to her husband. The text indite by Aeschylus explicitly proves that when a wife must choose between loyalty to her husband and certificate of her family she will choose her family.Regardless of the obvious differences between this text and the two priors they all three present Ancient Greek gender and marital roles to be comprised of the same staple principles. That being said, all three get off a new characteristic. After analyzing all the texts it can be assumed that Greek culture revolved around family, loyalty, and honor. A good wife is a woman who puts her family first and remains loyal to her husband no matter what the circumstances. Likewise a good husband defends the honor of himself whilst be consecrate to his family.Nonetheless, after further synopsis it can be argued that social norms for marital roles did not always go hand in hand with what a good husband or wife should do. This is because certain(a) roles are emphasized more than others. When a wife chooses her children over her husband or a man defends his honor at the consequence of his family he or she can no long fit into the double for a good husband or wife . In another text written by Euripides, Medea, the view into the past is much different than that of Hippolytus or any of the other texts.That being said, it is crucial to analyze the new perspective in order to work an educated theory on what Ancient Greek marital roles used to be. Jason and Medea are married with children when Jason chooses to suddenly leave to splice the daughter of the king of Corinth. Euripides is insinuating that in round instances male gender roles overpower their marital roles. As a Greek man it is his duty to gain honor and status as well as to create a family. However, as a Greek husband it is his duty to be devoted to his family and to never leave them.From this text we can infer that the desire of a man to achieve honor and status can lead well-nigh men to repeal their families. The prospect of one day being king is too much for Jason, he leaves and forgoes his marital roles. His choice to relieve himself of his duties as a husband infers that not a ll men in Ancient Greece were morally sound, taking a very prosperous interpretation of the word honor. Additionally, Medea involves herself in some actions that go against what would be considered socially preferable. Medea is overwrought and angry after Jason abandons her and the children.She takes action by plotting to price Jason the way that he hurt her. Medea gives Jasons new wife a poisoned robe that burns her flesh off and murders her own two children in hopes to harm Jason. By murdering both Jasons wife and her children she is exhibiting revenge with the only intention of benefiting herself. This act infers that there were many citizens of Ancient Greece who did not regard the normal social roles. contrary Agamemnon who sacrificed his daughter to fulfill one of his societal roles, Medea acts completely outside of the norm by murdering her children in cold blood.Euripides may potentially be trying to express that there are always going to be individuals that act radical ly opposite to what is at the time considered normal. A distinction that must be recognized is that between gender roles and marital roles with the understanding that they some generation overlap. It seems as if more attention is placed on gender roles than marital roles. For instance, Odysseus chooses to cheat on his wife, Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter, Clytemnestra murders her husband, and Jason deserts his family.After analyzing all of the texts we can last make an educated decision on what marital and gender roles were like in Ancient Greece. It appears that Ancient Greek society had determined roles for both men and women and they were meant to be adamantly revered. A good husband was considered to be a man who was devoted to his family and defended the honor of himself and his home. He recognized that there is no honor in annoyance loved ones, no matter what the outcome. Additionally, a good wife was a woman who was completely loyal to her husband and her family, defend them by whatever means necessary.However, thorough analysis reveals that there were often times people who went against what would be deemed good because they made a choice when roles conflicted that ensued a consequence for a loved one to bear. And in conclusion there were those who went against the grain completely. Overall, Ancient Greek social norms involved family at the center and devotion from every member to each other. The reason there is such a strong emphasis placed on understanding, documenting, and analyzing history is because it is through historic analysis that scholars can infer as to how contemporary culture came to be.It is through investigation of historical texts and other mediums of recording history that allows us to track the progression of people and their roles in society. In the current era people are still learning more about how past societies operated and what led to their development. From Homer to Hemmingway there is always more that can be learned t hrough textual analysis, whether it be a historical first source or not. 1 . Struck, rooster T. ClSt 200 Greek Tragedy. ClSt 200 Greek Tragedy. N. p. , 2000. Web. 11 Nov. 2012. .