Female Figures and Journey

Chapter 3 addresses female mobility and interactions. This is examined through the analysis of different types of mobility, including a traditional νόστος as has been applied to male journeying, physical movement within a defined space, metaphorical and ritual movement. All types of female mobility involve interaction with other figures and have a co-operative aspect. Female mobility benefits the main νόστος and intersects with the main homecoming narrative. The examples of mobility by individual female figures include their movements within the narrative of the main νόστος of the epic. These examples of mobility involve interactions. ‘Interactions’ is defined as the female figure meeting another and acquiring knowledge, or the female figure providing knowledge to others or self-realisation. Without female mobility and interactions, the prime νόστος would not succeed, and it is because of this that it is classified as a principle. This movement by females also demonstrates the agency of the female figures within the epic narrative.