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A review by jenmachin_
Heroides by Ovid
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I started reading this for a module whilst at University called "Heroines: Mythological Women from Antiquity to Present", and I'm so glad I did.
Ovid was way ahead of his time, giving voices to women who were often excluded from ancient narratives. On top of this, he gives voices to women of all stations: Slaves, unmarried women, abandoned women, widows, etc.
He brilliantly portrays the confused emotions of a jilted or waiting woman. He depicts strong women who have agency, yet they are still tricked by love and trapped in the patriarchal systems which repress them, and continue to repress women to this day. Ovid condemns the actions of male "heroes", highlighting their unethical abandonment of women and how they have abused their love for their own gain.
He successfully portrays the irony of patriarchy, despite the period of his writing:
"I swear that the Mycenaean King has shared no couch with me. If I lie, leave me. If I asked you to swear a similar oath- bravest one, swear you have tasted no joys except the joy you have known with me- you would refuse"
However, as it is a text written in the 1st century BC, there are some problematic elements. For example, Briseis' love for Achilles. She is his slave and concubine, captured after he murdered her family. I find it unrealistic that she should write such a romantic and flattering letter to her captor/rapist. And the perception that women are prizes who unconditionally love men is very concerningly present in ancient cultures.
I was also quite disappointed that Sappo's letter was written to a man, rather than one of her female lovers.
Overall, Ovid's poetry is stunning and he grants these beautiful words to women. I read Hero to Leander whilst listening to "Luminary" by Joel Sunny and this made the experience even more beautiful.
4.25⭐
Ovid was way ahead of his time, giving voices to women who were often excluded from ancient narratives. On top of this, he gives voices to women of all stations: Slaves, unmarried women, abandoned women, widows, etc.
He brilliantly portrays the confused emotions of a jilted or waiting woman. He depicts strong women who have agency, yet they are still tricked by love and trapped in the patriarchal systems which repress them, and continue to repress women to this day. Ovid condemns the actions of male "heroes", highlighting their unethical abandonment of women and how they have abused their love for their own gain.
He successfully portrays the irony of patriarchy, despite the period of his writing:
"I swear that the Mycenaean King has shared no couch with me. If I lie, leave me. If I asked you to swear a similar oath- bravest one, swear you have tasted no joys except the joy you have known with me- you would refuse"
However, as it is a text written in the 1st century BC, there are some problematic elements. For example, Briseis' love for Achilles. She is his slave and concubine, captured after he murdered her family. I find it unrealistic that she should write such a romantic and flattering letter to her captor/rapist. And the perception that women are prizes who unconditionally love men is very concerningly present in ancient cultures.
I was also quite disappointed that Sappo's letter was written to a man, rather than one of her female lovers.
Overall, Ovid's poetry is stunning and he grants these beautiful words to women. I read Hero to Leander whilst listening to "Luminary" by Joel Sunny and this made the experience even more beautiful.
4.25⭐