In Ancient Greece, women were viewed as lesser than men. You didn't need me to tell you that. You can see it in their everyday lives. Even the gods agree that women are lesser. However, in Aeschylus' The Eumenides, it appears the Furies don't agree with that point of view, at least when it comes to mothers.
In Orestes trial, the Furies argue that Orestes murder of his mother was wrong because he was of her own blood. The leader of the Furies states, "She gave you life(Aeschylus 258)." This statement places a high value on women, a higher value than most Greeks placed on women. The Furies' argument places men and women as equals. In contrast, Orestes, Apollo, and Athena argue that men's lives are worth more than women's. Orestes, as a male, values his father's life over his mother's. Similarly, Apollo states, "The woman you call the mother of the child is not the parent, just a nurse to the seed, the new-sown seed that grows and dwells inside her. The man is the source of life-the one who mounts...The father can father forth without a mother...(260-261) In other words, Apollo states that the mother merely acts a pot for the seed to grow in, and after the child is born, the father no longer needs the mother to raise his child. I find this particularly interesting as the women were in charge of domestic and private life, while the men were in charge of the public life. In Ancient Greek, it was customary that the women take care of the children as they were at home. Wouldn't the man not have time to properly care for the children since he was to be out working, fighting, and voting?
Apollo continues his argument that men are greater by giving the story of Athena's birth; she was sprung completely from the Greek god Zeus. Athena argues this same point. She states, "No mother gave me birth. I honour the male...(264)" Thus, she agrees that men are greater than women. I found this to be particularly surprising as Athena is a female. It shows how the Greeks created their gods to have the same beliefs as themselves, although Furies did not. The female Furies believe strongly in equality. The most important thing to the Furies is justice; the value placed on each gender does not change how they dole justice out.
I sympathize with Orestes and can see why he killed his mother. She murdered his father, and in to maintain honor, Orestes, as an Ancient Greek, was obligated to avenge his father's death. I find it frustrating however, as a women in the 21st century, that the strongest argument used for the justification of Clymenestra's death was that women are lesser than men.
P.S. I commented on Ian's and Jamie's posts.
Hi Haylee! I really enjoyed reading your post! I totally agree with the ideas you brought out here. In today's world, we definitley have a different view of women than the Ancient Greeks! This being said, I was surprised to realize that this play touches so often on the topic of feminism. The majority of the roles (including leading roles) are women. I would expect a culture who looks down on women to make the main roles in their plays men. Not only this, but in the story itself, I would expect Orestes to win the trial with Apollo's help. Instead, the only reason he survives is that Athena cast her vote in his favor. Athena, the goddess?!
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with your reasoning, Haylee. It is very annoying that women are so belittled in the ancient world, and there are more ways than just what you have mentioned in your post. The Furies are of the female gender themselves; is it not intriguing that their power was stripped away by a goddess who regards males as superior to females? They were still honored afterwards for their services and given power over civil wars, but in a way, even that power is still stereotypical of women.
ReplyDeleteI was completely appalled with the way that Apollo regarded Clytemnestra, and I think the way he worded things could have and should have been from an objective point of view. I can however see why Apollo would think less of women, his feud with his sister Artemis being what it was, but only a fool holds uses a personal grudge to discriminate against an entire population. I readily anticipated Athena or one of the furies to verbally rip him to shreds and Orestes' defense along with him, but that moment never came! Here is the goddess of cunning and wisdom, and she does not defend those that are closer to her than other immortal gods?! If an idea or solution can be formed from any mind, then why limit what the mind of someone is capable of by restricting access to education or anything else in society simply because of their,..shall I say physical variation? Regardless, the gods should understand their places of power and influence the people who look up to them to be better than this.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I was so focused on the drama of this family that I never even realized the male/female dynamics. To me, this twisted view goes completely against humanity. The original role of the female back then was to be at home and rear the children. To say she was not included in the growth is insulting and concerning. A child needs both father and mother.
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