There difference in attitude between contemporary American woman and the ancient Greek woman is quite extensive. Women in the ancient Greek society were reduced into foreigners and slaves, who had no say in civil rights. Women lived in a society where the patriarchal authority was extremely dominant and unquestionable. Men dominated over everything in the lives of the women including politics and public life.
In the Semonides on women: beauty and the beast poem, the woman is unenthusiastically described as the donkey-woman. “She’ll do what one has to if you’re liberal with threats” (Lowler, 2). This assertion explicitly reveals how men exercised their physical might to inflict pain and suffering on women. In the contemporary America, one cannot use such abusive language on women. The reason is that contemporary American women are empowered. Taking a woman as a creature without say can lead someone to jail for disregarding women.
Another attitude towards ancient Greek women is that of reproduction only. Since their childhood, girl children were prepared to take up the role of producing citizens for the polis. Since the Athens society was exclusive, it was essentially critical for women to give birth to lawful heirs as foreigners were allowed limited or no privilege (Christian, para 1). Women in the modern America play a significant role in the government, although it is still dominated by males. For illustration, Hillary Clinton held a high position in United States government during the 2008-2012 Obama’s administration.
Ancient Greek women freedom was not tolerated at all. Their different kinds of freedoms were undermined. For illustration, freedom of movement and freedom of sexuality was greatly limited. Women were further discriminated by being kept in isolated places and in special parts of the house. Women were married off to older males without their consent (Christian, para 2). This act clearly reveals that women were taken less as equal as men were. Further, this act made women appear more as males’ objects and as beings without say over matters concerning their lives. The modern America women enjoy all kinds of freedoms enjoyed by their male counterparts. Men and women in the current American society are taken as equals and any act demeaning the freedom of the girl child is not lightly taken in the pluralistic and democratic society.
Xenon says “a horse is a thing of beauty and that none will tire looking at him” (Olsen, para 1). However, women in Semonides poem were described as women horses; who avoids troubles of chores. Having them is perceived as a disgrace. “She looks oh so fine—but woe to the fellow what’s got her”. This clearly shows that even the beauty in women was unappreciated.
Indeed, it evident that women in the ancient Greek society were undermined and ill-treated. Comparing what women went through in the ancient Greek times and what American woman experience, it becomes evident that the two live in completely different worlds. Women play an unexplainable role in the society and thus should be accorded the utmost respect due to them.
In the Semonides on women: beauty and the beast poem, the woman is unenthusiastically described as the donkey-woman. “She’ll do what one has to if you’re liberal with threats” (Lowler, 2). This assertion explicitly reveals how men exercised their physical might to inflict pain and suffering on women. In the contemporary America, one cannot use such abusive language on women. The reason is that contemporary American women are empowered. Taking a woman as a creature without say can lead someone to jail for disregarding women.
Another attitude towards ancient Greek women is that of reproduction only. Since their childhood, girl children were prepared to take up the role of producing citizens for the polis. Since the Athens society was exclusive, it was essentially critical for women to give birth to lawful heirs as foreigners were allowed limited or no privilege (Christian, para 1). Women in the modern America play a significant role in the government, although it is still dominated by males. For illustration, Hillary Clinton held a high position in United States government during the 2008-2012 Obama’s administration.
Ancient Greek women freedom was not tolerated at all. Their different kinds of freedoms were undermined. For illustration, freedom of movement and freedom of sexuality was greatly limited. Women were further discriminated by being kept in isolated places and in special parts of the house. Women were married off to older males without their consent (Christian, para 2). This act clearly reveals that women were taken less as equal as men were. Further, this act made women appear more as males’ objects and as beings without say over matters concerning their lives. The modern America women enjoy all kinds of freedoms enjoyed by their male counterparts. Men and women in the current American society are taken as equals and any act demeaning the freedom of the girl child is not lightly taken in the pluralistic and democratic society.
Xenon says “a horse is a thing of beauty and that none will tire looking at him” (Olsen, para 1). However, women in Semonides poem were described as women horses; who avoids troubles of chores. Having them is perceived as a disgrace. “She looks oh so fine—but woe to the fellow what’s got her”. This clearly shows that even the beauty in women was unappreciated.
Indeed, it evident that women in the ancient Greek society were undermined and ill-treated. Comparing what women went through in the ancient Greek times and what American woman experience, it becomes evident that the two live in completely different worlds. Women play an unexplainable role in the society and thus should be accorded the utmost respect due to them.
