Papers by Poppy-Jo Robbins
The Perceptions of Persephone Through Time, 2023
This essay aims to explore how the Goddess Persephone has been adapted throughout the centuries. ... more This essay aims to explore how the Goddess Persephone has been adapted throughout the centuries. With a focus on how these adaptations have been impacted by the rising and falling
The Gender Presentation of Athena, 2022
This dissertation examines two main works of literature that highlight Athena's gender non-confor... more This dissertation examines two main works of literature that highlight Athena's gender non-conformity. These works will demonstrate how the classical world was far more accepting of LGBTQIA+ identities, even if this acceptance was not explicit in many writings. They will also exemplify how struggles of gender identity, paired with society's gendered expectations can affect anyone and everyone, including deities. I shall be specifically examining Hesiod's Theogony (700 BCE) and Aeschylus' Oresteia (458 BCE), with each work having their own dedicated chapter. This allows investigation into both Athena's birth, and her existence moving forward as an established divinity. Contrasting previous works that explore Athena as simply possessing a dimorphic nature, I shall be exploring Athena's relationship specifically with gender non-conformity. Including how her existence as a genderqueer person began, and affected her going forward. To demonstrate this, I shall be placing Athena in contrast to the patriarchy that she is often seen as the arbiter for. The androcentric ruling class, by design creates a surveillance of womanhood and the self, resulting in gender performativity. By attempting to determine Athena's character and gender identity apart from the patriarchy, Athena appears as one trapped by the conformist nature of the patriarchy, rather than its upholder by choice. This also allows for analysis towards Athena's relationship with her father and how this has informed her capability to, or inability to convey her gender and gender expression.
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Papers by Poppy-Jo Robbins