A Woman's Role

I think it’s clear to all of us that the Odyssey perpetuates a distinct set of different standards for men and women. Odysseus, Orestes, and Menelaus all serve as examples of men who are praised and honored by performing heroically in battle. In juxtaposition, women such as Penelope, Helen, even the great Arête are portrayed as domestic, limited to the simple tasks of a royal housewife, yet expected to perform them with grace. Kasey’s thought about women leading men on was interesting; while you could certainly interpret Calypso and Penelope’s actions as seducing, I would explain them by different means.
Calypso, for her part, is an immortal deity, and thus is governed by a different set of rules. It would seem that the because the gods lack the need to find a permanent mate, they are on a more equal playing field when it comes to gender, proven by the tremendous influence Athena has over both her father and the lives of humans. Still, Calypso is driven by an inherent desire to be loved, a desire that is echoed in all women we see in the book. Penelope, too, is trying to maintain a loving husband-and-wife relationship, though in order to do so she is forced to stall through seemingly provocative means. When it comes down to it, the goal of all women in the book is to ultimately play the role of loving wife, and bring pride and happiness to their husbands.
This is not to say that women cannot exercise independence. In fact, the more free-thinking a woman is, the more poise and grace they demonstrate, the more they are worthy of a kingly husband. Arête, who seems to be the ideal woman, “lacks nothing in good sense and judgment – she can dissolve quarrels, even among men, whoever wins her sympathies” (Book 7, Lines 84-96). Indeed, it seems to be more impressive to marry a woman who is good-looking and well-spoken, as opposed to a damsel you is unaccomplished outside of aesthetics. There’s no doubt though, that domestic tasks, such as weaving, washing, and of course looking good, are crucial to a woman’s existence, and marriage is her ultimate goal. “That’s how a bride’s good name goes out across the world,” explains Athena to Nausicaa, who herself is a beautiful and smart feminine image, “and it brings her father and queenly mother joy” (Book 6, Lines 33-34). So I would say that seduction is not a common theme among women; in fact it is looked down upon in the case of Calypso, Helen and even the hypothetical concerns of Nausicaa being seen with Odysseus. Rather, it is marriage, and becoming a loyal, obedient wife, that is expected of and admired in Greek women.