Paradox in Expectations: Perceptions of the Average Woman

Satyrica by Titus Petronius is a latin novel filled to the brim with satire and outrageous story telling. Several characters, including the narrator himself are subjected to constant ridicule and impossible situations. However, amidst all the characters we encounter as readers, a very specific form of obsertity is targeted towards female characters and dynamics that happen to include them. While the novel covers various pursuits of indulgences by various characters, when women are mentioned they seem to be regarded as a form of indulgence itself. They are referred to as objects, but contradictory to that, women are also written in a notably unique and freeing way. Misogyny is not an uncommon occurrence in literature and history, and it comes in all shapes and forms. So, while Petronius satirizes women and exhibits little to no sense of morality, he also uses this opportunity to illustrate how society expected women to be, versus the reality of who the common woman was.

When a woman is introduced, her appearance and the immediate men in her life quickly become the focal point and defining factors in how she is perceived. “I inquired who that woman could be who was scurrying about hither and yon in such a fashion. ‘She’s called Fortunata,’ he replied. She’s the wife of Trimalchio, and she measures her money by the peck,” (37). Right off the bat, Fortunata is referred to as Trimalchio’s wife because that’s the key component in how she is to be perceived. “As for him, he don’t know how rich he is, but this harlot keeps an eye on everything…” (37), not only is she referred to as a harlot, but she is quickly characterized as the gold-digger stereotype. “And where you least expect to find her, you’re sure to run into her. She’s temperate, sober, full of good advice, and has many good qualities, but she has a scolding tongue, a very magpie on a sofa, those she likes, she likes, but those she dislikes, she dislikes!” (37) Again, the narrator plays into the stereotype of a moneystealling woman with a rich husband. This is our narrator's first encounter with Fortunata as well, which immediately highlights the baseless-ness of their perception of Fortunata, despite the redeeming qualities they had also listed. However, regardless of how vulgar the language is, the description of who Fortunata is isn’t just that. While she is characterized as a woman who uses her husband for his wealth, she isn’t a static character.

Petronius simultaneously tosses gender roles out the window, while also making the most outrageous comments. There are instances where he reverts back to writing women as beings beneath men, and people who solely exist with the purpose of being nuisances to men. “He had freed some slaves; even though his wife was sparing with her tears: and what if he hadn’t treated her so well! But when you come to women, women all belong to the kite species: no one ought to waste a good turn upon one of them; it’s just like throwing it down a well! An old love’s like a cancer!” (42) Whenever the word women is used, there is a very automatic negative connotation that attaches itself to the word. Understandably, the man is grieving his friend who has passed away. However, the immediate assumptions that came with seeing the dead man’s wife are just that, mere assumptions. Just because the wife hadn’t “appeared” to be crying, atrocious comments were made about her character, regardless of the fact that they are strangers to each other. While there is this strange hatred he has towards women, it also plays into Petronius’s commentary on the insignificance of gender roles and sexuality. Every step of the way, every situation and character is ridiculously sexualized. These instances represent a side of human nature people in society refused to acknowledge or accept. Petronius includes sexual relationships of all kinds, which takes away from women being the sole object of sexual desire. Women are not the only people who embody sexuality.

In comparison to other pieces of literature, as mentioned before, women are much more dynamic and do not solely play into a single archetype. The language he uses towards the women of Satyrica is just as vulgar as his language used towards any other character along his journey. Scintilla is spoken to in a rather harsh and sarcastic way, while traditionally, women are seen as people who can only handle being softly spoken to. “No one can show a dead man a good time. Don’t be jealous, Scintilla; we’re next to you women, too, believe me,” (69). While this should already be a given, he writes women to be a lot freer and independent as people who share the same society men do.

Petronius’s Satyrica definitely brings about a much more unique take on who women realistically are in society. While there are still extremely sexist and misogynistic comments and plot lines, Petronius definitely took a step towards breaking down gender roles in society during his time. He went far in satirizing the way women are perceived and expected to act, commenting on how delusional they are. Petronius also tears down the notion that women are the only beings who are sexual, while in reality, this notion is applicable to all members of society. Through cynicism and satire, Petronius steers away from all expectations of society in regards to gender roles and sexuality, while it is still simultaneously deeply flawed.