by pandorasconviction

Created on: May 17, 2010   Last Updated: May 18, 2010

 Patriarchy is defined as a male dominated society. The society described within The Iliad is a patriarchal society. The male characters in The Iliad are active characters whereas the women play a more passive, extension type role. The men in The Iliad are typically warriors or kings. The women within The Iliad are usually shown as property.        

The Iliad is centered around the Trojan war. The role of patriarchy is shown early on within the epic. The cause of the war is loss of honor, greed, and lust. Paris, Prince of Troy makes a deal with Aphrodite to win the most beautiful woman in Greece, Helen of Argos. Helen was the wife of Menelaus. She was put under a spell by Aphrodite, goddess of love, and ran off with Paris. Menelaus saw this as a theft of his property and defilement of his honor. This caused the war to begin. This example shows how women were seen as property as well as accessories to men's actions. Helen describes the events as a result of "Paris' witlessness" (pg 127). The men in this example took action which resulted in war, Helen had no choice in who she would choose or why.  The war that resulted shows the extent of how men can influence the actions of governments, displaying one aspect of patriarchy.      

Another major conflict within The Iliad is between Achilles and Agamemnon. Achilles is known as the greatest warrior and a man of action. Agamemnon is a king, who Achilles describes as having "a dogs eyes and a rabbits heart" (pg 112).  In Greek society when an army wins a battle the soldiers can plunder the city and choose trophies for themselves, usually women. This is another example of how the society is patriarchal because men have to right to own women as trophies and slaves, and they are seen as prizes.  Achilles' prize was Briseis. Agamemnon demanded that Achilles give up his prize to him. To Achilles this meant that all of his actions and deeds were being taken away, thus his honor. In one passage, Achilles shows how he views Briseis and what is means for her to be taken away; "And now your threatening to take away my prize that I sweated for and the Greeks gave me….And when the battle is over we divide the loot you get the lions share and I go back to the ships with some pitiful little thing" (pg 111).  This  shows how women were viewed as extensions of actions and given away as prizes.

Within Greek society the concept of fate plays an important role. Within in The Iliad the Gods have control over the fate of men, and men have control over the fate of women. This shows the hierarchical system of Greek society. Men have the right to make choices about their fate, as seen with Achilles and his two potential fates. Whereas, woman are solely at the discretion of men, as seen with Helen and Briseis.  The Iliad shows womens' place within the society as extensions of men's actions.

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