The Evolving Female Perspective in Greek Mythological Retellings
Start Date
26-3-2024 2:18 PM
End Date
26-3-2024 2:37 AM
Location
Museum Education Room
Name of Faculty Mentor
Sunita Manian
Abstract
This project addresses the representation of female characters in Homer’s The Iliad through modern retellings. The female experience in The Iliad is incomplete and constructed around their male counterparts. The women are defined as destructive yet powerless, victims yet manipulative. The perpetuation of harmful and hypocritical themes towards mythological women shape our modern view of ancient history and literature. This paper will examine the evolving perspective of two women: Helen, the most infamous figure in The Iliad who has endured centuries of misinformed scorn and ridicule for her role in the Trojan War; and Briseis, a comparatively obscure character who’s role in The Iliad is defined by her servitude to Achilles. Modern retellings aim to reconstruct the image of significant figures, or complete the story of under-represented characters. By examining these women’s stories in a modern perspective, I aim to bring a more completed abstraction of their characters. Dissolving the narrative that women are destructive and victims of their situations will further the study of classical literature, favoring multi-faceted and capable women, and present new perspectives on history and its enduring characters.
The Evolving Female Perspective in Greek Mythological Retellings
Museum Education Room
This project addresses the representation of female characters in Homer’s The Iliad through modern retellings. The female experience in The Iliad is incomplete and constructed around their male counterparts. The women are defined as destructive yet powerless, victims yet manipulative. The perpetuation of harmful and hypocritical themes towards mythological women shape our modern view of ancient history and literature. This paper will examine the evolving perspective of two women: Helen, the most infamous figure in The Iliad who has endured centuries of misinformed scorn and ridicule for her role in the Trojan War; and Briseis, a comparatively obscure character who’s role in The Iliad is defined by her servitude to Achilles. Modern retellings aim to reconstruct the image of significant figures, or complete the story of under-represented characters. By examining these women’s stories in a modern perspective, I aim to bring a more completed abstraction of their characters. Dissolving the narrative that women are destructive and victims of their situations will further the study of classical literature, favoring multi-faceted and capable women, and present new perspectives on history and its enduring characters.