Assignment task:
"Odysseus represents his experiences with sea dangers as encounters with the feminine and repeatedly tells of escaping these dangers when the threatening females eventually befriend him, after he survives or overcomes them" (Schein 19). Discuss the representation of the "feminine" and womanhood in the Odyssey. Your essay should consider the portrayal of different feminine ?gures and the concept of 'the feminine' by analyzing at least two ?gures-one of obstacle and one of help to the hero's return-the ambiguity of these representations, as well as the ambiguities that imbue the character of Penelope. To what extent do these ?gures possibly re?ect an anthropological depiction of the historical function of womanhood? To what extent do they become mythical? How do descriptions through "the senses"; (sight, hearing, touch, and smell) affect a gendered reading of these ?gures? Finally, does the feminine provide an alternative system of knowledge to male heroic culture? In discussing the section of the Great Wanderings, consider very carefully the level narration of Odysseus and the level of narration of the poet.