AS MÁSCARAS DA NEGATIVIDADE

O FEMININO NA ODISSEIA

Abstract

In Dialectics of Enlightenment, Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer present the image of Odysseus, the hero of the Odyssey, as the first mythic narrative of the enlightened man, suggesting an earlier origin, instead of the modern Enlightenment usual mark, to the Aufklärung process. From this analysis, I propose a reading of female images of the Odyssey: the mortals, such as Penelope, Helen and Clytemnestra; the goddess, such as Circe and Calypso; and even mythical figures such as mermaids. We can comprehend Odysseus as the enlightened man who has a duty to restore order - and divine civilization: Zeus and the Greek civilization. It is against dissolution forces that his cunning and strength abilities rise. It will be shown as Odysseus tries to establish, by the discourse of the Lord, a positivity in a world threatened by negativity. I will also try to show the status and power of an intrinsic negativity to the female condition. For this, that will be an allegorical reading of the Odyssey, focusing on feminine image, articulating the philosophy of Adorno and Horkheimer with psychoanalytic thinking will be held.