Women & Power

1. Women's voices have been silenced throughout Western history

At which point young Telemachus intervenes: 'Mother,' he says, 'go back up into your quarters, and take up your own work, the loom and the distaff … speech will be the business of men, all men, and of me most of all; for mine is the power in this household.'

Silencing begins early. The Odyssey, one of the earliest works of Western literature, depicts a young man silencing his mother, establishing a pattern that persists to this day. This scene exemplifies how deeply ingrained the notion of women's silence is in our cultural heritage.

Perpetuation through literature. Throughout classical literature, women are repeatedly silenced or transformed in ways that remove their ability to speak. Examples include:

• Io turned into a cow, only able to moo
• Echo cursed to only repeat others' words
• Philomela's tongue cut out after being raped

Limited exceptions. Women in classical literature were allowed to speak publicly only in specific circumstances:

• As victims or martyrs, often before their death
• To defend their homes, children, or other women
• When acting as spokespersons for women's interests exclusively

2. Ancient Greek myths reinforce female exclusion from power

If you were ever doubtful about the extent to which the exclusion of women from power is culturally embedded or unsure of the continued strength of classical ways of formulating and justifying it – well, I give you Trump and Clinton, Perseus and Medusa, and rest my case.

Myths as cultural blueprints. Greek mythology provides powerful narratives that justify and reinforce the exclusion of women from power. These stories continue to shape our cultural understanding of gender roles and power dynamics.

Key mythological examples:

• Clytemnestra: Portrayed as masculine and destructive when in power
• Amazons: Depicted as a threat to civilization, needing to be conquered
• Medusa: Her decapitation symbolizes the violent reassertion of male dominance
• Athena: Though a female deity, she embodies male attributes and is born from Zeus's head

Modern echoes. These ancient myths continue to influence contemporary discourse:

• Female politicians compared to Medusa (e.g., Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel)
• Use of classical imagery in political cartoons and merchandise
• Persistent cultural discomfort with women in positions of power

3. Cultural stereotypes perpetuate male dominance in public speaking

It is still the case that when listeners hear a female voice, they do not hear a voice that connotes authority; or rather they have not learned how to hear authority in it; they don't hear muthos.

Gendered perceptions of speech. Our culture has deeply ingrained associations between male voices and authority, making it difficult for women to be taken seriously in public speaking roles.

Manifestations of bias:

• Women's voices described as "shrill," "nagging," or "whining"
• Physical appearance scrutinized more than content of speech
• Interruptions and "mansplaining" in professional settings
• Disproportionate online abuse directed at women who speak out

Historical context. These biases have roots in classical rhetoric, where public speaking was seen as an exclusively male domain. The ideal orator was defined as "vir bonus dicendi peritus" - a good man, skilled in speaking.

4. Modern politics still echoes classical misogyny

Even I have been pedantically objecting to Lysistrata being played as if it were about girl power – though maybe that's exactly how we should now play it.

Persistent patterns. Despite progress in women's rights, many aspects of modern politics reflect ancient prejudices against women in power.

Examples of continued bias:

• Female politicians judged more harshly for mistakes (e.g., Diane Abbott vs. Boris Johnson)
• Women's issues marginalized or seen as separate from "main" political concerns
• Disproportionate focus on appearance and personal life of female leaders
• Use of classical imagery to attack women in politics (e.g., Medusa depictions)

Reinterpretation needed. To challenge these biases, we may need to actively reinterpret classical narratives, finding new meanings that empower rather than limit women.

5. Redefining power is crucial for women's inclusion

If women are not perceived to be fully within the structures of power, surely it is power that we need to redefine rather than women?

Challenging traditional notions. Our current understanding of power is deeply intertwined with masculine ideals and public prestige. To truly include women, we must reconsider what power means and how it operates.

Potential new definitions of power:

• Ability to effect change and make a difference
• Collaborative influence rather than individual dominance
• Right to be taken seriously and heard
• Power as an attribute or action, not a possession

Broader implications. Redefining power could lead to:

• More diverse leadership styles being valued
• Greater emphasis on collective action and grassroots movements
• Recognition of different forms of influence and effectiveness

6. Individual strategies can help women navigate male-dominated spaces

Margaret Thatcher seems to have done that with her handbags, so that eventually the most stereotypically female accessory became a verb of political power: as in 'to handbag'.

Tactical approaches. Some women have found success by strategically using or subverting stereotypically feminine traits or symbols.

Examples of individual strategies:

• Margaret Thatcher's handbag as a symbol of power
• Using traditionally "female" accessories to make a point (e.g., blue tights for "bluestocking")
• Theresa May's shoes as a refusal to conform to male templates
• Exploiting exclusion from "boys' clubs" to carve out independent territory

Limitations. While these individual tactics can be effective, they don't address the underlying systemic issues and may reinforce certain stereotypes.

7. Systemic change is needed to truly empower women

We have to be more reflective about what power is, what it is for, and how it is measured. To put it another way, if women are not perceived to be fully within the structures of power, surely it is power that we need to redefine rather than women?

Beyond individual success. While individual women have achieved positions of power, true equality requires fundamental changes to societal structures and cultural narratives.

Areas for systemic change:

• Challenging deep-seated cultural narratives about women and power
• Redefining leadership beyond traditionally masculine traits
• Addressing unconscious biases in hiring, promotion, and public perception
• Changing institutional structures to be more inclusive and collaborative

Long-term vision. True change will require:

• Ongoing critical examination of our cultural inheritance
• Active reinterpretation and creation of new narratives
• Collective effort to reshape societal norms and expectations
• Patience and persistence in the face of deeply ingrained biases

Last updated: August 10, 2024