Since recorded history, the role of women in society has been dictated by men, for a long time women have accepted this patriarchy. This arrangement can be seen in different societies and cultures throughout history; after all, the great literature studied in academia serves as evidence of how ancient society treated women. Ancient Greek society's treatment of women is preserved in Homer's epic tales such as the Odyssey. The medieval idea of ​​different women in society can be seen in Dante's work. Furthermore, literature shows early champions of feminism such as Plato, who dedicates the most important verses 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 goal of this article is to analyze social gender norms as illustrated in the Odyssey, Inferno, and Symposium. Additionally, this article will outline the rise of gender equality and the feminist movement. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Women in ancient Greek society formed the lowest class of citizens: they were considered property and were there to serve a specific purpose. Marriage in ancient Greek society was not the union of a loving couple, but a contract between two males. Women were used as property and were taught that their ultimate goal in life is 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 no fear yet that the race will yet become extinct, while Penelope has such a beautiful son as you.' " (Homer, 8). The women of the tragedy receive life through their children: this reinforces the Greek idea that an honorable woman gives birth to male children. For example, Ulysses' mother dies of grief over the disappearance of her son. 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 a father-son relationship: for example, Telemachus says that "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 places emphasis on man's journey to self-discovery. For example, Homer's epic, The Odyssey, centers on the adventures of Odysseus as he tries to return home to his wife and son. The most important female character in the epic is Penelope, Odysseus' wife, who sits in her castle waiting for her "true love" to return 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 the journey home. Homer describes Odysseus as the victim of these two “enchantress” women and is forced to sleep with them. Supporting such stereotypes, Phaedrus, in Plato's Symposium, claims that the common "bad" love is that between a man and a woman. This “evil” love has only 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 comes from a mother in whose birth the female has no part, - she comes only from the male; this is that love which is of the young... those who are inspired by this love turn to the male, and delight in him who is the most valiant natureand intelligent" (Plato 77). Greek society promoted philosophies such as those formulated by Phaedrus, ideas in which women served as objects of sexual satisfaction. Women could not be intelligent beings capable of serving a much greater purpose. Dante brings the his personal twist on the definition of love, very similar to that of Phaedrus. definition. Dante shows sinful love, which is that which arises from lust for women. Love, which in the kindest hearts will soon blossom, has seized my lover with passion for that sweet body from which I was torn lifeless to my ruin (Dante 97-99). Furthermore, in the eighth circle of Hell we meet Thais, a woman who has used sex sinfully all her life, Dante depicts her “scratching herself with dirty nails, the slut fidgeting on her feet, then squatting” (Dante 129-130). 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, much like the concepts Phaedrus mentions. However, Phaedrus believed that his form of love could only manifest itself between two males. Dante exemplifies heavenly love in a woman, demonstrating that there are different types of women. Upper class and elite women are the ones who personify heavenly love. Lower class women exemplify the sinful and lustful form of love that is punishable in Hell. Homer's Odyssey embodies many sexist Greek traditions and focuses on the male's journey of self-discovery. On the other hand, Plato steps forward and opposes these norms by giving center stage to a female character in his Symposium. Socrates is the most intelligent philosopher of ancient Greek society and in the Symposium he tells the explanation of Love defined by a woman: Diotima. Plato would be considered a feminist because he demonstrated, through the interaction of Diotima and Socrates, that a woman can make an intellectual argument capable of confounding the best philosopher of ancient Greece. Socrates begins his speech by praising Diotima, he says: “And now, bidding you farewell, I will repeat to you a love story which I heard from Diotima, of Mantineia, a woman wise in this and many other kinds of knowledge. … She was my teacher in the art of love, and I will repeat to you what she told me…” (Plato 94). Even if a woman does not physically present an argument, it is still important to recognize Plato's effort to incorporate women into the intellectual circle. Plato uses Socrates' speech to elevate the position of Greek women by giving them the recognition and respect they deserve. Plato would be considered a feminist, taking into consideration his time and society. Feminism is a movement that fights for equal rights between women and men in social, political and economic spaces. The ideas and goals of the movement constantly change with the times and current events. Modern feminism is divided into four different waves; each wave includes a generation of feminists fighting for different causes based on their time. The ancestors of the modern feminist movement were part of first wave feminism, which advocated for women's right to vote. First wave feminists focused on legal changes that greatly improved women's roles in society. However, first wave feminism was pushed by white, middle-class women, lacking diversity and representation of gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Second wave feminists were advocates of social reform: they protested social traditions that degraded women. They formed groups that brought together women under the name of.