As long as history has been recorded, the role of women in society has been dictated by men, for a long time the women have accepted this patriarchy. This arrangement can be observed in different societies and cultures throughout history; after all, the great literature studied in academia bears witness to how ancient society treated women. Ancient Greek society's treatment of women is preserved in Homer's epic tales like The Odyssey. The medieval idea of ​​different women in society is found in Dante's work. Additionally, literature shows early champions of feminism like Plato, who gives the broadest lines of his Symposium to a woman. Indeed, the literature tends to accurately reflect the social gender norms of the time and the challenges these norms created for women. The purpose of this article is to analyze social gender norms as illustrated in The Odyssey, Inferno and The Symposium. Additionally, this article will describe the rise of gender equality and the feminist movement. Say no to plagiarism. Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Women in ancient Greek society formed the lowest class of citizens: they were considered property and they were there to serve a specific purpose. Marriage in ancient Greek society was not the coming together of a loving couple, but a contract between two men. Women were used as property and were taught that their ultimate goal in life was to marry and have children, especially boys. This ancient Greek tradition can be seen in the conversation between Telemachus and Minerva, as recounted in Homer's Odyssey: "Minerva said: 'There is as yet no fear that the race will become extinct, while Penelope has a son as wonderful as you'” (Homer, 8). The women in tragedy are given life through their sons – this reinforces the Greek notion that an honorable woman gives birth to sons. For example, Odysseus' mother dies due to grief over her son's disappearance. Similarly, Homer shows that Telemachus matures when he dismisses his mother's suitors from his father's palace. The entire epic reinforces the importance of the father-son relationship: for example, Telemachus says, “He is a wise child who knows his own father” (Homer 8). However, there is no mention of women or the importance of the mother-daughter relationship. Greek society placed emphasis on man's journey towards self-discovery. For example, Homer's epic The Odyssey centers on the adventures of Odysseus as he attempts to return home to his wife and son. The greatest female character in the epic is Penelope, Odysseus' wife, who sits in her castle waiting for her "true love" to come home. Penelope would be seen in a negative light if she accepted the offer of one of her suitors; however, her husband, the hero, sleeps with different women, Circe and Calypso, on his journey home. Homer describes Odysseus as the victim of these two “enchanting” women and is forced to sleep with them. Reinforcing these stereotypes, Phaedrus, in Plato's Symposium, maintains that the "bad" common love is that between a man and a woman. This “evil” love only serves a sexual purpose: those who are only interested in common love are not intelligent beings. Therefore, noble and heavenly love is that which can only be shared between two males: “…The offspring of the heavenly Aphrodite are from a mother in whose birth the female has no share, — it comes from the maleonly ; this love which is that of the young…those who are inspired by this love turn towards the male and rejoice in him who is the most valiant and intelligent nature” (Plato 77). Greek society promoted philosophies like those of Phaedrus, ideas where women served as objects of sexual gratification. Women cannot be intelligent beings capable of serving a much greater purpose. Dante brings his own version of the definition of love, very similar to Phaedrus's definition. Dante shows sinful love, which arises from the desire of women. We see this through Francesca's examples. She explains that her love is, the Love which, in the sweetest hearts, will blossom sooner, has seized my lover with passion for this sweet body from which I was torn without grudging at my loss (Dante 97 -99). Furthermore, in the eighth circle of Hell we meet. Thais, a woman who used sex in sinful ways throughout her life. Dante depicts her “scratching herself with filthy nails, the trumpet that rises to its feet, then crouches” (Dante 129-130). However, the ideal love is the platonic and celestial love that Beatrice has for Dante. Beatrice embodies the non-sexual form of love that promotes faith, learning and knowledge, very similar to the concepts mentioned by Phaedra. However, Phaedra believed that her form of love could only be manifested between two men. Dante illustrates heavenly love in a woman, showing that there are different types of women. Upper class and elite women are the ones who embody heavenly love. Women of the lower classes exemplify the sinful form of love and lust that is punishable in hell. Homer's Odyssey embodies many sexist Greek traditions and focuses on man's journey toward self-discovery. On the other hand, Plato steps forward and opposes these norms by foregrounding a female character in his Symposium. Socrates is the most intelligent philosopher of ancient Greek society and in The Symposium, he recounts the explanation of Love as defined by a woman: Diotima. Plato would be considered a feminist because he showed, through the interaction of Diotima and Socrates, that a woman can have an intellectual argument that can baffle the best philosopher of ancient Greece. Socrates begins his speech by praising Diotima, he says: "And now, taking leave of you, I will tell you a love story which I heard from Diotima, of Mantinea, a wise woman in this and many other kinds of knowledge. … She taught me the art of loving, and I will repeat to you what she told me…” (Plato 94). Even if a woman does not physically present an argument herself, it is important to recognize Plato's efforts to bring women into the intellectual circle. Plato uses Socrates' speech to elevate the position of Greek women by granting them the recognition and respect they deserve. Plato would be considered a feminist, given his time and society. Feminism is a movement that advocates for equal rights for women and men in social, political and economic spaces. The ideas and goals of the movement are constantly changing with the times and current events. Modern feminism breaks down into four different waves; each wave encompasses a generation of feminists who campaign for different causes depending on their era. The forefathers of the modern feminist movement were part of the first wave of feminism, which championed women's right to vote. First-wave feminists focused on legal changes that greatly improved the role of women in society. However, the first wave of feminism was.