Did some work today in class and normally I'd say more but it's quite late so without further ado:
Mah plan:
- Introduction (250 words)
- Paragraph One: Describe the ideal of female beauty in Greece and Sparta (500 words) (Describe what is there)
- Paragraph Two: Explore the social reasons behind those ideals (500 words) (Explain why it’s there)
- Paragraph Three: Demonstrate the cultural manifestations of those ideals (500 words) (Show where it appears)
- Conclusion (250 words)
And now, the first paragraph.
Between
the near antithetical cultures observed by the Spartans and all other Greek poli, the ultimate paradigms of female
beauty differed greatly. In spite of the general condemnation of the way in
which Spartan women conducted themselves, they were famed for their beauty.
Homer referred to Sparta as, “kallignyaika”,
“the land of beautiful women”; it is common knowledge also that, “the face that
launched a thousand ships”, belonged to of Helen of Troy, or, more accurately,
Helen of Sparta. These endorsements clearly show the admiration of the other poli, but it is important to note that the
Spartans themselves, though still reverent of beauty, were practical rather
than romantic in their ideals. The Spartan perception of female beauty centred
on the physical manifestation of athleticism and fitness, and not on the artificial
enhancement or subjugation of women, as seen in other parts of Greece; and although
the Spartans were fixated on physical prowess to the point of narcissism, they were
not inclined to material vanity, as evidenced by the rulings of Lycurgus, which
forbade the use of cosmetics. Even coiffure was not a matter of beauty in
Sparta, as long and short hairstyles were used solely to differentiate between unmarried
and married women, respectively. The other Greek poli, however, had very different standards of female beauty to
Sparta; in spite of the open admiration with which the rest of Greece observed
the Spartan women, when they were not participating in politics, sport, or any
other activity in which they opposed men or demonstrated their capacity for free
thought that is, the other poli
preferred women who showed little evidence of physical exertion and much
evidence of oppressive misogyny. Women were expected to wear long, sleeveless robes
that fell to their ankles and concealed their legs, and adorn themselves with
jewellery of various forms. Pale, delicate skin was also a particular mark of
beauty in a female, and women frequently used cosmetics, including white lead,
which was very toxic, and chalk, to lighten their skin. Other facial beautifications
went in and out of mode throughout the period; connected eyebrows were
considered highly fashionable at one stage and powders were used to for various
things, including the darkening of the eyelid and the rouging of the cheeks. It
is evident, then, that there are substantial differences between the epitomes
of beauty that were upheld by the Spartans and all the other Greek poli.
Huzzah.
