It is probably not surprising to hear that the Homeric poems express misogynistic ideology; even the ancient poet Palladas recognized that Homer was something of a misogynist. But, get this, the ancient scholia are pretty awful too!
In a recent article, Sarah Scullin collects misandrist myths and topics from Greece and Rome. Reading some ancient scholarship can make us see why someone might find such ideas attractive. The following lines and commentary from the Homeric Scholia come from the scene at the end of book 1 of the Iliad where Hera talks to Zeus about his recent conversation with Thetis.
Il. 1.539
αὐτίκα κερτομίοισι Δία Κρονίωνα προσηύδα·
“Immediately, she addressed Kronos’ son Zeus with heart-rending words.”
Schol. bT ad Il. 1.539
“heart-rending”: words which hit the heart. For, both of these things are womanly: to be suspicious and to not restrain speech.”
κερτομίοισι: τοῖς τὸ κέαρ βάλλουσι. γυναικεῖα δὲ ἄμφω, τό τε ὑπονοῆσαι καὶ τὸ μὴ ἐπισχεῖν τοῦ λόγου.
Il. 1.542-3
…οὐδέ τί πώ μοι
πρόφρων τέτληκας εἰπεῖν ἔπος ὅττι νοήσῃς.
“…never at all do you dare to willingly say to me whatever plan you are thinking up.”
Schol. A ad Il. 1.542-3
“not ever at all”: women get annoyed unless their husbands share everything in common with them.”
οὐδέ τί πώ μοι: δυσχεραίνουσιν αἱ γυναῖκες, εἰ μὴ πάντα αὐταῖς ἀνακοινοῖντο οἱ ἄνδρες.
Il. 1.553
καὶ λίην σε πάρος γ’ οὔτ’ εἴρομαι οὔτε μεταλλῶ,
“I never previously have been asking you or questioning you excessively”
Schol. bT ad Il. 1.553
“excessively you before”: women customarily deny it whenever they have been really annoying to their husbands.”
καὶ λίην σε πάρος: ἔθος γυναιξὶν ἀρνεῖσθαι, ὅτι ποτὲ παρηνώχλησαν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν.
In my experience, “women get annoyed unless their husbands share everything in common with them.” is actually sometimes true, though perhaps not in the same way.
Going to be honest. I actually take a bit of umbrage with the woman who was talking about “misandrist” myths. Why is Cybele on there? The galli practiced self-castration as a sign of devotion to their Goddess. Considering that this was a part of a mystery tradition and was probably laden with meaning and significance, I think it’s a bit rude to jump to the conclusion of misandry even in jest.
Though I guess that’s just me being a crazy person who actually believes in these deities so…