Which author argues that virtuous women in the epic prove their virtue by submitting to the masculine plot of history?

• A. Paul Burke
• B. Ellen Olliensis
• C. Llewellyn Morgan
• D. Gordon Williams

Answer: (B)

This item tests how virtue in virtuous women is read within a male-dominated epic frame. Ellen Olliensis argues that these women prove their virtue by submitting to the masculine plot of history—that is, they align their actions and loyalties with the hero’s mission rather than pursuing independent goals. In the epic’s trajectory, the founding of Rome is the central telos, and virtuous women are depicted as supporting this project through fidelity, restraint, and acceptance of their prescribed roles. Their virtue is shown more by conformity to the male-driven historical narrative than by challenging or redefining it. This focus on submission to the male plot distinguishes her reading from others that emphasize rebellion, autonomy, or different moral tests for female characters.