Women in Greek Myth

Women in Greek Myth PDF Author: Mary R. Lefkowitz
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 9780801886508
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description
In the first edition of Women in Greek Myth, Mary R. Lefkowitz convincingly challenged narrow, ideological interpretations of the roles of female characters in Greek mythology. Where some scholars saw the Amazons as the last remnant of a forgotten matriarchy, Clytemnestra as a frustrated individualist, and Antigone as an oppressed revolutionary, Lefkowitz argued that such views were justified neither by the myths themselves nor by the relevant documentary evidence. Concentrating on those aspects of women’s experience most often misunderstood—life apart from men, marriage, influence in politics, self-sacrifice and martyrdom, and misogyny—she presented a far less negative account of the role of Greek women, both ordinary and extraordinary, as manifested in the central works of Greek literature. This updated and expanded edition includes six new chapters on such topics as heroic women in Greek epic, seduction and rape in Greek myth, and the parts played by women in ancient rites and festivals. Revisiting the original chapters as well to incorporate two decades of more recent scholarship, Lefkowitz again shows that what Greek men both feared and valued in women was not their sexuality but their intelligence.

Women in Greek Myth

Women in Greek Myth PDF Author: Mary R. Lefkowitz
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 9780801886508
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description
In the first edition of Women in Greek Myth, Mary R. Lefkowitz convincingly challenged narrow, ideological interpretations of the roles of female characters in Greek mythology. Where some scholars saw the Amazons as the last remnant of a forgotten matriarchy, Clytemnestra as a frustrated individualist, and Antigone as an oppressed revolutionary, Lefkowitz argued that such views were justified neither by the myths themselves nor by the relevant documentary evidence. Concentrating on those aspects of women’s experience most often misunderstood—life apart from men, marriage, influence in politics, self-sacrifice and martyrdom, and misogyny—she presented a far less negative account of the role of Greek women, both ordinary and extraordinary, as manifested in the central works of Greek literature. This updated and expanded edition includes six new chapters on such topics as heroic women in Greek epic, seduction and rape in Greek myth, and the parts played by women in ancient rites and festivals. Revisiting the original chapters as well to incorporate two decades of more recent scholarship, Lefkowitz again shows that what Greek men both feared and valued in women was not their sexuality but their intelligence.

Women of Myth

Women of Myth PDF Author: Jenny Williamson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1507219415
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
"Get inspired with 50 fascinating stories of powerful female figures from mythologies around the world. From heroines and deities to leaders and mythical creatures, this collection explores figures of myth who can inspire modern readers with their ability to shape our culture with the stories of their power, wisdom, compassion, and cunning. Featured characters include: Atalanta (Greek heroine and huntress who killed the Caledonia Boar and joined the Argonauts); Sky-Woman (the first woman in Iroquois myth who fell through a hole in the sky and into our world); Clídna (Queen of the Banshees in Irish legend); and La Llorona (a ghostly woman in Mexican folklore who wanders the waterfront). Celebrate these game-changing, attention-worthy female characters with this collection of engaging tales"--

Pandora's Jar

Pandora's Jar PDF Author: Natalie Haynes
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0063139472
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 320

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Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “Funny, sharp explications of what these sometimes not-very-nice women were up to, and how they sometimes made idiots of . . . but read on!”—Margaret Atwood, author of The Handmaid's Tale The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships returns with a fascinating, eye-opening take on the remarkable women at the heart of classical stories Greek mythology from Helen of Troy to Pandora and the Amazons to Medea. The tellers of Greek myths—historically men—have routinely sidelined the female characters. When they do take a larger role, women are often portrayed as monstrous, vengeful or just plain evil—like Pandora, the woman of eternal scorn and damnation whose curiosity is tasked with causing all the world’s suffering and wickedness when she opened that forbidden box. But, as Natalie Haynes reveals, in ancient Greek myths there was no box. It was a jar . . . which is far more likely to tip over. In Pandora’s Jar, the broadcaster, writer, stand-up comedian, and passionate classicist turns the tables, putting the women of the Greek myths on an equal footing with the men. With wit, humor, and savvy, Haynes revolutionizes our understanding of epic poems, stories, and plays, resurrecting them from a woman’s perspective and tracing the origins of their mythic female characters. She looks at women such as Jocasta, Oedipus’ mother-turned-lover-and-wife (turned Freudian sticking point), at once the cleverest person in the story and yet often unnoticed. She considers Helen of Troy, whose marriage to Paris “caused” the Trojan war—a somewhat uneven response to her decision to leave her husband for another man. She demonstrates how the vilified Medea was like an ancient Beyonce—getting her revenge on the man who hurt and betrayed her, if by extreme measures. And she turns her eye to Medusa, the original monstered woman, whose stare turned men to stone, but who wasn’t always a monster, and had her hair turned to snakes as punishment for being raped. Pandora’s Jar brings nuance and care to the millennia-old myths and legends and asks the question: Why are we so quick to villainize these women in the first place—and so eager to accept the stories we’ve been told?

Heroines of Olympus

Heroines of Olympus PDF Author: Ellie Mackin Roberts
Publisher: Welbeck Publishing
ISBN: 9781802795233
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
★★★★★ 'Switching the focus of Greek myths to bring women, so frequently the supporting cast, to the fore is refreshing and provides a modern take on some very old stories' - Fortean Times Cunning, seductive, monstrous, virtuous - whether in divine or mortal form, women shape the foundations of ancient Greek mythology, but have long been eclipsed by their male counterparts. Now, it's time for their stories to be told. Heroines of Olympus tells the tales of 50 of the most enthralling women of Greek mythology, including goddesses and nymphs such as majestic Athena, goddess of war; vengeful Nemesis, goddess of retribution; and gladiatorial Amazon queen Hippolyta, as well as mortals and demigods such as long-suffering Andromache, murderous Clytemnestra and joyous Iphis. Alongside each story, a character portrait, captivating illustration and explanation of their historic roles by ancient historian Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts provide an indispensable contemporary perspective on these extraordinary women.

The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology

The Cambridge Companion to Greek Mythology PDF Author: Roger D. Woodard
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107495113
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 516

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Book Description
Professor Roger Woodard brings together a group of the world's most authoritative scholars of classical myth to present a thorough treatment of all aspects of Greek mythology. Sixteen original articles guide the reader through all aspects of the ancient mythic tradition and its influence around the world and in later years. The articles examine the forms and uses of myth in Greek oral and written literature, from the epic poetry of 8th century BC to the mythographic catalogues of the early centuries AD. They examine the relationship between myth, art, religion and politics among the ancient Greeks and its reception and influence on later society from the Middle Ages to present day literature, feminism and cinema. This Companion volume's comprehensive coverage makes it ideal reading for students of Greek mythology and for anyone interested in the myths of the ancient Greeks and their impact on western tradition.

Women in Greek Myth

Women in Greek Myth PDF Author: Mary R. Lefkowitz
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 158

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Book Description
Modern critics often interpret ancient literature according to their own standards ad preoccupations, as if they were reading the works of a contemporary author. Most recently, feminists have applied their own criteria to the rich variety of female characters in Greek mythology. The Amazons are seen as representatives of an original matriarchy, Clytemnestra as a frustrated individualist, Antigone an oppressed revolutionary. The Greek myths reflect a world in which men dominate women, largely out of fear of women's sexuality. Mary R. Lefkowitz argues in this controversial book that this view is justified neither by the myths themselves nor by the relevant documentary evidence. Concentrating on those aspects of women's experience most often misunderstood -- women's life apart from men, marriage, influence in politics, self-sacrifice and martyrdom, misogyny -- she presents a far less negative account of the role of Greek women, both ordinary and extraordinary, as manifested in the central works of Greek literature. Lefkowitz shows that the darkness of Greek mythology suggests not the wretched lot of women in particular, but of mortals generally. Women in Greek myth, she contends, play a rather more enlightened role than their biblical or Christian counterparts. And what Greek men feared in women, if they feared anything, was not women's sexuality but their intelligence.

Aphrodite the Diva

Aphrodite the Diva PDF Author: Joan Holub
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1442474785
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 288

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Book Description
Original publication and copyright date: 2011.

Greek Myths

Greek Myths PDF Author: Charlotte Higgins
Publisher: Pantheon
ISBN: 0593316266
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 337

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Book Description
A brilliantly original, landmark retelling of Greek myths, recounted as if they were actual scenes being woven into textiles by the women who feature prominently in them—including Athena, Helen, Circe and Penelope “Greek myths were full of powerful witches, unpredictable gods and sword-wielding slayers. They were also extreme: about families who turn murderously on each other; impossible tasks set by cruel kings; love that goes wrong; wars and journeys and terrible loss. There was magic, there was shape-shifting, there were monsters, there were descents to the land of the dead. Humans and immortals inhabited the same world, which was sometimes perilous, sometimes exciting. “The stories were obviously fantastical. All the same, brothers really do war with each other. People tell the truth but aren’t believed. Wars destroy the innocent. Lovers are parted. Parents endure the grief of losing children. Women suffer violence at the hands of men. The cleverest of people can be blind to what is really going on. The law of the land can contradict what you know to be just. Mysterious diseases devastate cities. Floods and fire tear lives apart. “For the Greeks, the word muthos simply meant a traditional tale. In the twenty-first century, we have long left behind the political and religious framework in which these stories first circulated—but their power endures. Greek myths remain true for us because they excavate the very extremes of human experience: sudden, inexplicable catastrophe; radical reversals of fortune; and seemingly arbitrary events that transform lives. They deal, in short, in the hard, basic facts of the human condition.” —from the Introduction

Understanding Greek Myths

Understanding Greek Myths PDF Author: Natalie Hyde
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780778745099
Category : Greece
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Presents an introduction to Greek mythology, discussing the history of ancient Greece, its gods and goddesses, the myths associated with the natural world, and the legacy of Greek culture on the modern world.

Zeus Is a Dick

Zeus Is a Dick PDF Author: Susie Donkin
Publisher: Hodder Studio
ISBN: 9781529348965
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description