IndexRepresentation of the identities of women and men in Homer's IliadFinal conclusionsWorks citedThe controversy infects our world like germs. It may be contained and controlled for a while, but it will never truly go away. To regulate the issues you must first address them. However, when this occurs, further problems emerge instead. One of the major topics of disagreement throughout history includes the roles of both men and women. In the past, women have been demoted to a lower level than men, where they are expected to submit and obey. The problem is not in subjugation, but in the fact that they are suppressed and treated like property or livestock just because of their gender. Men, on the other hand, are attributed a level of superiority mainly due to their masculinity. They get special treatment and can do whatever they want with women, which they have abused this power tremendously. The Iliad provides excellent examples of the roles of each gender three thousand years ago. Over time, the positions of men and women have changed, but the poem's examples still hold true in today's societies. therefore, this essay will analyze the portrayal of gender roles in the Iliad and how they reflect the social norms of Ancient Greece. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the Iliad, Homer focuses on each individual and the roles they played during that time. The poem focuses on the brutality and gruesome aspect of war by describing the deaths of thousands of men. It's hard to imagine a space for women's tenderness when it comes to fighting. However, they play a crucial role behind the scenes of fighting. Women play an important role in the outcome of wars because they stand behind the warriors, supporting them and giving advice. Contrary to this reputation, the role of women in the Iliad is rather a degrading and inferior position compared to that of men. To understand the work of women in poetry, one must first look back in time and gain knowledge of the treatment they received and how they behaved. To begin with, women were rarely considered an individual in their own right, but always an extension of their husband, father, or brother. This is critical because it reveals the truth that women were not given a say because they were repressed and subordinated to men. Women were thought to be a burden and only useful for cleaning, maintaining the house, and having children. They lived separately from the men because they would get in the way of the work and cause a distraction. Special events were a pleasure for women because they could only participate if accompanied by a man. There was a sense of superiority for the male gender. Women were taught to accept the rules of men with higher authority than them because they did not have the same rights as men. The treatment of women in Homer's time included being spoils of war or known only by association with the male presence in their lives. All women discussed in the poem are referred to as objects and never as people. Representation of the identities of women and men in Homer's Iliad One of the most complex female roles is Helen. Her beauty not only surpasses all those around her, but is complete and intelligent. Every man wanted her for her beauty, so she was seen as a prize to be won and this issue started an entire war. The role Helen played in the war was not only that she was hated by her people because she was seen as the reason for all the countless deaths, but also by the Trojanswho despised her and forced her to live with a family who hated her very presence. She is the first example shown in the Iliad of women being treated as slaves and property rather than human beings. “In fact in any case she (Helen) is placed together with the possessions that reached Troy from Sparta”. Men thought they could make women as happy as they could, so they stole them and traded them like auction items. Briseis was also a war prize that Achilles took for himself. When Agamemnon was forced to return the women he had stolen as trophies, he wanted to disrespect Achilles and took Briseis for himself. He saw her only as a concubine and a property intended solely for his pleasure. Agamemnon takes it because he wants to prove to Achilles that he is the best. Throughout the entire discussion, Briseis is a pawn used and traded between men without regard for her feelings. “This demonstrates the most incredibly brutal and callous contempt for Briseis as a human being.” Women's identity was placed on the value they had for each man. When Agamemnon attempted to bribe Achilles into returning to the war, he used women and concubines as treasures and gifts. It also includes that he had refrained from touching Briseis. This information shows that her value lay in the physical relationships she had with men. To Achilles it was worth more because Agamemnon claimed to have physically abstained from having intercourse with her. The idea behind the treatment of women is disgusting because even though it was worse during that time, it still occurs today in the sex trafficking industry. Since women's lives were controlled by men, they looked to them for protection because men were all they had. War was a harsh reality for most women because their source of security was sent into battle and very often killed. This left the women alone, with no one to provide for. Andromache portrays this image when she begs Hector to stay behind and not fight because their son needed him to survive, "it would be better for her to die if she lost him." Without Hector, Andromache had no one in her life, showing the insecurities women faced when their entire identity was based on men. Men were depicted very differently from women. In Homer's time, men supported families and protected them because their role was more dominant. They were higher on the social ladder and had power because of their masculinity. Patriarchy was the adopted system where men controlled women and their identity was based on the amount of property they owned. Each of them had to grow up at a young age because the war was constantly going on and they were forced to enlist early. Men were given power and chose to abuse it. While some properly loved and protected women in the cities, most men saw themselves as superior and took advantage of the dominance they had. They are described as aggressive and strong to gain honor. The most important characteristic of a man in this period is his honor and nobility. Men were forced to live in the mindset that if they were unable to defeat another army or man, they would have no power and would be nothing. Fighting was a way to earn respect and prove oneself worthy enough. Women were the prize and the cause of the war because by taking possession of them men acquired greater dignity. For example, Agamemnon took Briseis not because he wanted her, but solely to prove that he was a greater warrior than Achilles. The lust for a woman did not drive him to steal her, rather the lust for power and control..