Roles Of Women In Greek Mythology

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In the old days, people used myths and stories to communicate their beliefs and values. Mythology usually featured a strong individual who saved the day or sacrificed himself for the benefit of others. Unfortunately, these warriors were usually men. Women on the other hand, were depicted as the feeble and helpless population who had little to offer to society besides being the victims in most situations. In mythology, men often took advantage of women by discarding them after they fulfilled the hero's individual needs and demands. They were also perceived to be the weak and helpless gender, who could only be saved by men. For that reason, it has become evident that women were considered inadequate in myths, while men were portrayed as capable and powerful individuals. In a world as big …show more content…
As depicted in the photo, the man had used the woman to his satisfaction then left her with no reason. Without any regard for her feelings, he walked out of her life as quickly as he came in. Likewise, in the myth Theseus and the Minotaur, Theseus was a good example of men taking advantage of women. After claiming victory over the Minotaur, Theseus "sailed back to Athens with his companions and his Cretan bride. But Theseus left Ariadne on the island of Naxos" (O'Rahilly 5). Theseus had promised Ariadne marriage and love in exchange for her help in defeating the Minotaur. She tried to aid him in every way she should, but in the end Theseus deserted her. This story was a great example of how women in mythology are taken advantage of, regardless of their contributions to both heroes in myths and today's world. Both Theseus and the man in the photograph exploited women and in turn promote negative messages about women's worth. While myths represented a culture in the past, many societies around the world still follow in its footsteps by consenting to sexist professions such as prostitution and sex trade. In this second

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