A Study of the
Mythology of the Trojan War through Feminist Perspective in A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Tobom Nyori
Assistant Professor,
Department of English,
JNC, Pasighat,
Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Abstract: The ancient Greeks
considered women fundamentally inferior to men in the cosmic order. In Greek
mythology, women are confined into stereotypical roles of that of a mother,
consort or daughter. Women are portrayed
as inferior in mythical narratives. They are mostly depicted as temptresses or
obstacles to male power. Zeus’s numerous exploits illustrate male dominance and
shape societal views on gender roles. This is a pattern that is seen throughout
the Greek mythological narratives. There is no denying to the fact that there
are powerful goddesses and women alike who are a part of Greek myths, but they
are to submit to the conventional patriarchal society. Throughout Greek
mythology, the question of whether women should have power in a patriarchal society
or not is an argument that never ends. Absolute female authority and freedom is
most often thought to cause havoc or corruption. In other words, a lot of
mythical stories state that, in order to stop corruption that might come about
if females have freedom, it is necessary that the society reinforces some ideal
behavior and proper conduct. Also, besides the heroic plots, The Iliad and The
Odyssey, Homer’s two timeless epic poems clearly show a system that oppresses
women. In extreme cases, women are merely seen as objects or property of men.
Women rarely speak, seldom make any decision, and are not involved in any
matters outside households. The traditional account of the Trojan War often
sideline or erase the experiences of women. This paper shall explore how
Haynes’s novel directly confronts this by giving voice to women, allowing them
to narrate their experiences, express their pain, and challenge the dominant
male perspective.
Keywords: Mythical
narratives, women, patriarchal, society, authority.
Introduction
The legend of the Trojan War portrays women as deceitful
and full of wrongdoing because it places the blame on two women for instigating
the ten year long war- one divine and the other human. Both Aphrodite, a
goddess and Helen, a mortal is shown to play integral parts in the initiation
of the war, thereby throwing a negative light on women. And very conveniently,
people chose to ignore that it was actually Zeus’s idea to begin the Trojan War
which had stemmed from a desire to reduce Earth’s population, particularly of
his demigod descendants, by causing a large scale conflict. Homer in his Iliad, glorifies male heroes
whereas he largely objectifies and ignores women. Women are used by men as
symbols of status and glory in the Iliad. This paper shall study how Natalie
Haynes attempts to explore the emotions and struggles of women during the
Trojan war, thereby shifting the focus from the male heroes to the experiences
of women.
Research questions
How Natalie Haynes places women at the center of the
Trojan War, thereby shifting the narrative focus from the male heroes to women
characters.
How Haynes’s novel can be seen as a form of myth-making,
reclaiming and reimagining ancient myths from a female perspective, offering an
inclusive understanding of the past.
Significance
Greek civilization, being one of the oldest has stood as
a soaring example of patriarchy and misogyny in the history of mankind. Women
portrayed in Greek mythology are not only subordinate but also the victim of a
fundamentally misogynistic ideology. Even the most devoted and submissive women
are mistrusted by men. They are portrayed as scheming and deceitful. Haynes in
her novel, critiques the ways in which women are often used as pawns or victims
in conflicts orchestrated by men. She
highlights the courage and resilience of women during war and its aftermath by
questioning the idea of heroism which is generally associated solely to
military prowess and conquest. Such re-tellings of ancient myths allow women to
reclaim their narratives by challenging patriarchal narratives. They are
significant in creating a deeper understanding of the female characters and
their roles in myths, beyond the stereotypical portrayals. It cannot be denied
that powerful and effective messages are conveyed to the contemporary society
and modern audiences through the retelling of Myths from women’s perspective.
Literature Review
The discourse of mythology is male-centered in that
mythological stories have represented feats of masculine heroism with no or limited
representation of female prowess. Women have always been looked at from men’s
point of view. Greek myths represent women as deceptive, despicable,
manipulative and an affliction to man, thus necessitating male domination in
order to keep women from disintegrating society. Feminist writers have been
concerned with the negative portrayal of women. Therefore they seek to retell
patriarchal myths and in the process, they represent women from women’s point
of view. In recent years, Women writers, namely, Margaret Atwood, Madeline
Miller, Pat Barker, Jennifer Saint, Costanza Casati and Claire Heywood through
the deliberate retellings of myths in their works, have attempted to question
the western thought system on which is found the base for women’s oppression.
Consequences of
Patriarchy on the Female characters in A Thousand Ships
Haynes explores the far-reaching consequences of
patriarchy by centering the narratives of women affected by the Trojan War. She
highlights how patriarchal structures perpetuate violence, exploitation and
suffering. A thousand Ships serve as a revelation of deep-seated issues of
gendered violence and the silencing of female voices. The novel accentuates how
patriarchal system is designed to support male power and honor, thereby legitimizing
violence against women.
Haynes depict the Trojan War itself as a product of male
desires and conflicts, with women bearing the brunt of destruction and
suffering. Helen, Penelope, Briseis, to name a few is shown as victims of
circumstances, their lives shaped by the decisions and desires of men. The war
reduces women to objects of exchange, spoils of victory or sources of labor,
highlighting their lack of agency and autonomy. Haynes exposes the violence
inflicted upon women during and after the war, including sexual assault,
enslavement and displacement. Besides the Trojan women, the novel also explores
the psychological toll and grief experienced by women who remained in Greece
and awaited news from the warfront. They were anxious, fearful and constantly
worried for the safety of their loved ones.
Key Aspects of
Feminist Perspective in A Thousand Ships
The novel retells the classic story from the viewpoints
of women on both sides of the conflict, including goddesses, wives, mothers and
slaves. Haynes highlights the roles, suffering, resilience and agency of women
who were mostly dismissed to passive or secondary positions. The feminine
perspective of the Myth of the Trojan War offers a more distinct and complete
picture of the conflict. While male characters like Achilles, Odysseus and
Agamemnon are very much present in the novel but their stories are secondary to
the narratives of women. The novel depicts the beautiful bonds of friendship
and sisterhood among the women characters, exhibiting their strength and
solidarity in the face of adversity.
Out of 43 chapters in ‘A Thousand Ships’, Penelope is the
narrator in seven of them. Her narration is presented though seven epistolary
chapters, six addressed to Odysseus and a final one to Athena. Her letters are
an explicit expression of her frustration and increasing anger at Odysseus’s
prolonged absence and the adventures he undertakes, which she hears as
recounted by bards. She is not just the faithful wife waiting at home
passively. But a resourceful woman wrestling with the consequences of war and
her husband’s choices. She questions the romanticized image of Odysseus as a
hero, highlighting the cost of his adventures on her and their son, Telemachus.
She sees him prioritizing adventure over family and duty, and even questions
his true identity upon his eventual return. Penelope’s narrative emphasizes her
agency, her intelligence and her struggle to maintain order in Ithaca while
dealing with suitors and societal expectations. Her story, as presented in A
thousand Ships is a powerful reminder that war’s consequences extend beyond the
battlefield, impacting those left behind and shaping their lives in profound
ways.
Clytemnestra is another prominent character in the novel.
She is portrayed as a Spartan princess and queen who is driven by vengeance
after the sacrifice of her daughter, Iphigenia by her husband, Agamemnon.
Iphigenia’s sacrifice was made to appease the Gods and ensure favourable winds
for the Greek fleet to sail to Troy. Clytemnestra’s killing of Agamemnon is not
just a personal act of vengeance, but also a challenge to the patriarchal power
structure. She is a complex character who evokes both monstrous and sympathetic
reactions. Clytemnestra is depicted as a shrewd and capable ruler who is
capable of managing the kingdom in Agamemnon’s absence. Her story is told from
her perspective, highlighting her anguish and ultimately, her act of vengeance
against Agamemnon. Haynes presents a more complex understanding of her
motivations in the novel. By centering the stories of women like Clytemnestra,
who are often neglected in traditional account of the Trojan War, Haynes offers
a feminist perspective to her novel.
Hecabe, the queen of Troy is depicted as a powerful and
complex character who embodies both grief and resilience in the face of war and
loss of her children and her city. Her interactions with other women reveal the
bonds of sisterhood that emerge from their experiences of shared suffering. Her
blinding of Polymestor demonstrates her capacity to fight, thereby challenging
the otherwise passive portrayal of women in the Trojan War. Hecabe’s journey
from a queen to a slave, and her unwavering desire for vengeance, epitomizes
the resilience and prodigious potential of women.
Cassandra, daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecabe is
portrayed as a powerful figure who is both a prophet and a victim of
patriarchal power structure. Her story, in particular, is used to critique the
silencing of female voices and the consequences of disregarding women’s wisdom.
The novel uses Cassandra’s perspective to expose the ways in which women’s
knowledge and intuition are marginalized and dismissed by men. Her inability to
prevent tragedy despite her foresight highlights the limitations imposed on
women in a patriarchal society. Haynes uses Cassandra’s story to critique the
destructive nature of male pride, ambition and hubris, which are presented as
key factors in Trojan War’s devastation. Cassandra’s silenced prophesies serve
as a powerful proof of the consequences of ignoring female voices and
perspectives. She embodies a form of resistance to patriarchy by refusing to be
silenced. Her continued attempts to warn others, even knowing she will not be
believed, highlight her agency and refusal to be completely passive in the face
of tragedy.
Polyxena, the youngest daughter of King Priam and Queen
Hecabe is portrayed as a strong and defiant figure who chooses death over
slavery, challenging traditional representations of her as a victim. Polyxena
refuses to beg for mercy from Odysseus or anyone else, asserting her royal
status and choosing death with dignity. While her death is a sacrifice,
Polyxena’s agency in choosing that sacrifice is emphasized, making her a
complex and empowered character. Haynes shifts the focus from the male heroes
and their exploits and focuses on the experiences and perspectives of women
characters like Polyxena who were often marginalized in earlier accounts.
Andromache, Hector’s wife, loses her husband and son in
the war and is taken captive by Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles. The novel
portrays Andromache’s struggle to rebuild her life after such profound losses,
showcasing her resilience and ability to find a new form of existence, even
amidst captivity and sorrow. Her story stands as a testament to the ability of
women to adapt, survive and rebuild their lives in the aftermath of
unimaginable calamity.
Briseis and Chryseis, two women who significantly impact
the course of the Trojan War, develop a tender friendship while both are held
captive by the Greeks. They find solace and support in each other’s company
amidst their shared experiences of loss and captivity. Their bond is a great
example of “Women Standing Up for Women”. Moreover, unlike the Iliad, where
Briesies is largely a symbol of status and patriarchy, Haynes’s novel portrays
her as a woman with her own thoughts, feelings, and experiences of loss. The
novel explores Briseis’s grief over the death of her family and the broader
impact of war on her life, offering a deeper understanding of her as an
individual.
Last but definitely not the least, Helen is depicted as a
woman scuffling with the consequences of her beauty and the war that was fought
over her, rather than a mere pawn in a male conflict. Haynes’s novel
re-examines the cause of the Trojan War, suggesting that Helen was not solely
responsible for the war. She depicts the war to be resulted out of complex
political and personal motivations, and that Helen is just one piece of the
puzzle. Haynes moves beyond the simplistic portrayal of her as a beautiful
woman who caused a war, offering a more nuanced and empathetic understanding of
her character.
Conclusion
Novels, such as A Thousand Ships explore the power of
storytelling and shows how narratives can shape perceptions of historical
events and characters. It challenges the readers to question the traditional
versions of the classical myths and consider alternative perspectives.
Narratives with Feminist Perspectives emphasize the fact that Women are not
objects. She is more than her body and has soul and mind too. This paper
demonstrates the necessity of women’s perspectives in the classical texts.
Through such retellings, readers gain insight into the universal struggles
faced by women throughout history. These stories shape our understanding of
female empowerment and resilience. The female perspective is vital in gaining a
comprehensive understanding of Myths. The legacies of the classics continue to
permeate through our society in the present, so inclusion of the female voice
is crucial to discern how the classics continue to affect us. Through the
narration of ancient stories from female perspectives, audiences begin to
better understand the complex lives of ancient women and reflect on how their
experiences resonate through our society today. There is truly a need for
reinterpreting myths by women writers towards positive representation. Writers
like Natalie Haynes give voice and represent the otherwise neglected women
powerfully imbued with new life. A thousand ships puts the women, girls and
goddesses at the center of the western world’s greatest tale ever and asserts
that their lives and deaths are no less heroic.
Works Cited
Graves, R. The Greek Myths. Penguin Random House,
2017.
Hamilton, E. Mythology. Hachette India, 2024.
Haynes, N. A Thousand Ships. Picador, 2019.
Higgins, C. A New Retelling of Greek Myths. Vintage,
2022.
Homer. The Iliad. Translated by E.V. Rieu.
Penguin Classics, 2003.
Jindal, M. Feminism and Literature. Pacific Books
International, 2018.