Homer: An Old-Fashioned Sexist

I believe that Homer is an old fashioned sexist. Homer illustrates the double standard of women being expected to stay faithful to their husband, yet it is acceptable for a man to cheat on his wife. His opinion of the value of a woman, coming from a man, stresses the importance of beauty. Any accomplishes she may have play no role in a man's view of her with the exception of Athena for the sole fact that she is a goddess. Homer is most definatly an old fashioned sexist.
The double standard between the expectations of women and men is demonstrated through two people: Odysseus and his wife, Penelope. While Odysseus is gone for 20 years, Penelope is tempted with many suitors to break her faithfullness to her husband. However, she does not seize these opportunities. Had she decided to cheat on Odysseus, it would have been socially unacceptable. She would have been persecuted and shunned. Meanwhile, Odysseus cheats on Penelope without hesitation. He has an affair with Circe, a beautiful witch-goddess. While Penelope is forced to stay faithful, Odysseus has the freedom to have affair after affair without punishment. Homer efficiently illustrates this double standard.
The trait most valued in a woman is beauty. Women are given to men as prizes based on beauty. The more beauiful the woman, the more valued she is. In The Iliad, the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, is the cause of the Trojan war. Her beauty is so important to the Trojans and the Achaeans that they are willing to lose their lives. If the smartest woman in the world was the woman who was being fought over, the Trojan War never would have happened. Beauty is the main trait woman in this time were judged on. This goes for every woman except for Athena. Athena is strong and powerful. She is greatly admired by women and men alike. Men even pray to her to help them in battle. I believe that Homer portrays her as a tough, clever woman for the sole fact that she is a goddess. That is sexist. Many women are tough, strong, clever, and smart. However, Homer and men during this time refused to acknowledge that. Homer was certainly sexist.