Out of the paragraphs of words poured out by Pericles, I will write about just three: "knowledge without effeminacy"(Pericles 3). Effeminacy is the manifestation of traits in a boy or a man that are more often associated with feminine nature, and this statement is written in the context of a paragraph bragging about Athens' nature and accomplishments. Pericles states, "We cultivate refinement without extravagance and knowledge without effeminacy(3)." In other words, Pericles is bragging that the men of Athens can grow in knowledge without becoming more feminine. To study music, to study poetry, or other related things would make a man soft. Those topics are topics related with softness and gentleness, characteristics seen as unfavorable in Ancient Greece. The Athenians prided themselves on their strength, especially that of the military. Pericles boasts extensively of Athens' military strength.
If this statement were to be said braggingly today, it would be faced with much opposition. Some of our greatest poets and musicians are male. Additionally, today, it is okay to be feminine. Homosexuality is acceptable. Although from a small bit of what I've read, homosexuality was not completely unacceptable in Ancient Greece, but whoever the more feminine individual in the relationship was, the less power they were associated with. The roles were dominant and submissive just as with husband and wife. The dominant role was associated with masculinity, higher status, and adulthood, while the submissive role was associated with femininity, lower status, and youth. Nonetheless, the changes in culture from then to now are astounding.
Today, of course, we fight to say that men and women are equal, as they should be. However, his statement stuck out to me because the general belief held is that men are to be educated, not women. It made me think specifically of Beauty and the Beast in which Gaston chastises Belle repeatedly for reading. She is meant to cook and clean-to take care of the house. Thus, I believe Pericles should have used a different word than "knowledge." Its's so odd that it is celebrated to have knowledge but having too much or too much in a certain area may lead you to be feminine, and to be feminine means to be less respected. I know it was not such a fine line, but Pericles word choice here makes it out to be.
P.S. I commented on Caroline and Abbie's posts.
I love your insight here and I totally agree! That sentence shows how low his view of women was and how it affected the way he viewed life. Excellently said.
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