What Literature Shows Regarding the Role of Women as a Powerful Figure Essay Example

with their cave meeting during a stormy hunt, she offers him her affection, virginity, and position in the hopes of persuading him to stay. Although possessing significant power and prestige, her actions do not classify her as a true femme fatale. In Virgil's epic poem, Minerva, Juno, and Venus (also known as Pallas Athene or Athena, Hera and Aphrodite in Greek mythology) play pivotal roles in both Aeneas' adventures and the war. The gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus similarly determine the fate of the Romans just like they do in The Iliad and The Odyssey.

The role of fate and destiny in the story of Aeneas is influenced by a conflict among three goddesses, who have significant control over the protagonist's life and the epic's plot. Despite their background presence, these powerful women play a crucial part throughout. Queen Dido's power, for instance, stems solely from her position and also highlights this notion.

The power of Juno over her husband and her persuasive tactics demonstrate that she possesses some form of power. Similarly, Aphrodite convinces Neptune and Vulcan to aid Aeneas and protect him, displaying her ability to influence other gods. These goddesses use their wit, intelligence, and persuasion to rally powerful beings to their causes. Within the epic poem, two women defy expectations of womanhood and exhibit great power: Queen Amata, co-ruler of Laurentum alongside King Latinus, and her daughter Lavinia. Queen Amata is loyal to her people and advocates for Turnus, her daughter’s suitor alongside Aeneas.

The most significant aspect of her character is her strong advocacy for Italians to serve their own interests. Meanwhile, Lavinia holds remarkable power as she has the

authority to decide the fate of her people. Historically, political alliances were often established through marriages to princesses or heirs, and this is also the case for Lavinia. Her marriage will determine the leadership of Laurentum, proving that she has the highest position of power among all the women discussed in this paper. She has control over the future of Aeneas, the protagonist, and ultimately, the hope of the fallen Trojans. In conclusion, despite women's historical mistreatment, some defied norms and demonstrated incredible power.

While there are still instances where women are regarded as inferior, exemplified by Estes' assertion in her book that women were treated like property and infantilized during her generation, literary characters such as goddesses and Queen Dido offer a counterpoint.