Presenter Information
Bella Biancone
Department of History
Department of Political Science
Abstract
The women portrayed in Greek drama were often strong, courageous, and integral to the storyline. In contrast to their real-life counterparts (who may have not even been allowed to see the plays), these women stood out as individuals in their respective stories. They are bold, dynamic, intelligent and respected. They are meant to be seen and heard. Women in drama emerge as heroines of their own stories and serve to educate the audience on some aspect of women in Greece. On other hand, the women of Homeric epics tended to be subdued and traditional; they are background characters, merely present to help or hinder their heroes. The women in these poems are meant to serve a teaching purpose as well; they taught women how they should and should not strive to be. Both the stage and the page provide great insight into the expectations and realities of women in antiquity.
School
McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
Advisor
Dr. Sarah Miller Ph.D.
Submission Type
Paper
Publication Date
May 2020
Included in
Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity Commons, Women's History Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Female Roles in Antiquity: The Dichotomy Between the Stage and the Page
The women portrayed in Greek drama were often strong, courageous, and integral to the storyline. In contrast to their real-life counterparts (who may have not even been allowed to see the plays), these women stood out as individuals in their respective stories. They are bold, dynamic, intelligent and respected. They are meant to be seen and heard. Women in drama emerge as heroines of their own stories and serve to educate the audience on some aspect of women in Greece. On other hand, the women of Homeric epics tended to be subdued and traditional; they are background characters, merely present to help or hinder their heroes. The women in these poems are meant to serve a teaching purpose as well; they taught women how they should and should not strive to be. Both the stage and the page provide great insight into the expectations and realities of women in antiquity.