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The ancient Greek placed great importance on the body. The idea of an ideal body was the attitude of the majority of ancient Greeks. Admiration for the human body was exhibited throughout history with art and literature. Artists depicted their view of the idealistic and beautiful body through sculptures. People were not only judged on their appearance but also on their mind. These aspects helped to place the people of a society into various social levels. Odysseus was prized and admired for his cleverness, skills in trickery and strategy in waging war. Leaders were men whom had patience and a great amount of knowledge.
The physical self is seen as a positive theme in Homers writing. When the princess and the playful maids found Odysseus they thought of him as a bestial man that they feared. The narrator explains Streaked with brine, and swollen, he terrified them, so that they fled, this way and that (10). Athena the goddess who was always on her favorite mortals side adorned the savage looking man that stood before the frightened women with a larger, more handsome, youthful body. These gifts changed the princess and her maids views of Odysseus instantly. Their fear diminished and admiration took its place. Nausikaa proclaims Uncouth he seemed, I thought so, too, before; but now he looks like one of the heavens people (106). These gifts made Odysseus look like one of the gods. To possess these qualities makes the physical self more desirable. In this case they perceived the man in a different manner entirely based on his appearance. This way of thinking still exists in todays world. Physical appearance can either help you or hold you down. The standards one is judged by based on their body has changed. One is able to be part of different social classes and still possess a respected body. There are also similarities to the ancient Greek times. People today are still judged on their body based on their position in society and their physical attributes but the divisions dont seem to be as harsh.
The body was categorized in several ways. The young, athletic self was cherished. The young possessed strength and beauty that made them more desirable. It is evident in this epic tale that the strong led the weak. Competitions were held among men to separate the strong from the weak. In the following passage Laódamas foolishly challenges Odysseus to competition come join our competition, if you are practiced, as you seem to be. While a man lives he wins no greater honor than footwork and the skill that hands can bring him (1). Alkínoös son young and ignorant thought he could out do him in sport and skill. The young man does not know enough about his guest as to make such a statement. Seareach further contests you never learned a sport, and have no skill in any of the contests of fighting men. This is not the way a host was taught to treat his guest. The elderly were not treated with the utmost respect. The old were admired for their wit rather than their strength. The elderly people with most knowledge were known to be prophets. The prophets usually guided people through life with messages from the gods. (where does the quote end - page #)
Beggars were treated with little or no respect. They were abused and treated like animals. The suitors displayed this hatred towards the poor with the way they treated the princess guest. They had a low tolerance for the old mans presence. On several occasions the men of Ithaka mistreated the beggar and the swineherd due to their tattered appearance. One instance was when Odysseus came home from his long journey disguised as a beggar. His first encounter of mistreatment was made by Melánthios while on his way to his home, the palace. The foggy minded traveler having drank too much mocks the two passer bys Here comes one scurvy type leading another! God pairs them off together, every time. Swineherd, where are you taking your new pig? (17). The man finishes off his rudeness by kicking Odysseus hip as he passes. Antínoös, one of the strongest suitors grew impatient with the intruders presence in the hall and flung a stool at the strangers shoulder (6). Lower class citizens were not expected to react to this kind of treatment and so Odysseus after being treated like a dog just walked on and remained calm. The body of the rich was treated with respect. If Odysseus would have come to this island as he did the others in his travels he would not have been treated so poorly. Instead of arriving as a beggar he was a warrior craving his homeland. The rich feasted together, competed in leisure activities and designated the body as important. The weaker people in society such as children, the elderly, the cowardly and lower class citizens were excluded from these affairs.
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The women treated with the most respect were the queens and princesses. The women without noble blood were slaves, maids or nurses. Most women were portrayed in a clean, feminine manner. The girl who spoke to Odysseus with contention as he was posing a mere man was quickly shut up by the strong words of the king. She went on like a fool, taunting him and calling him names. He knew of her dirty deeds and threatened to tell Telmakhos of them (47). Most female characters were submissive and respected men with the exception of Melántho, Dólios daughter, and she paid for her wrong doings in the end as well.
There is a relationship between the body and ones social standing. The clothing one wore was an indicator of social and economic status. The body of lower social standing was older, tattered and poorly clothed. One with a higher social standing was seen as possessing a cleaner body. The body was constantly being cleansed, oiled and newly clothed. This theme was consistent. With every stop Odysseus and his men took they were sent off to sea to be bathed and fed with gifts and clean clothes to wear.
The womens body and those of high social standing were celebrated. The body of the beggar was ridiculed and abused. When a person became more attractive he was treated with more respect.
Those who worshipped, respected and feared the gods acted in a more decent way than those who did not. The strongest and most patient of people did not fall weak to the temptation and seductiveness of the body. The suitors feasted on the kings herds, drank his wine and courted his wife not knowing if the king was even alive. Towards the end of the suitors lives they realized their fear for the gods should have been more prevalent.
The womens body is very important in The Odyssey. Men fall weak to the womens body. The men bought gifts in a competition to win Penelopes heart. Although the woman gains power through her body and seduction, she is still at the will of the man. Penelope was the female with the most amount of power. Even the goddesses and nymphs had less self control. Penelope held her husband for twenty years through her tricky plans. This shows an empowerment for women. Women did what they were told to do for the most part. If they did not they were subjected to foul labels. The suitors abused their privileges while in the wayward kings palace while trying to win the queen to be their bride.
Throughout this text Odysseus uses his knowledge and cunning ways to make his way home. Along with his pride this helped him to survive on the entire journey. For example, in Sweet Nymph and Open Sea he persuades the beautiful nymph to believe that he would rather stay with her than go home to his wife, the mere mortal(87). When Kirkê turned the men into swine Odysseus once again used his wits to get him and his crew out of trouble. He entices the goddess into swearing to an oath to work no more ill magic toward his harm and further convinced him to turn the swine back into men (177). The nymph fell sweet for Odysseus much like Kalypso. She even devised a plan for his safe arrival home. The master of trickery had all that was needed to be a confident leader.
There is a great deal of significance placed on the physical body in Homers work. There are many aspects of the body that place a person at a certain level. Whether it being gender, race or economic position it is prevalent throughout the work. This tale displays many layers of the social levels that are held by the people of a society. Each body holds a certain amount of power and also receives a certain amount of respect.
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