Examples Of Masculinity In The Odyssey

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The definition of masculinity is constantly evolving around the world, making it no surprise that different time periods had different expectations as to when it is acceptable for men to cry. The 20th century’s image of a stoic, self-restrained man does not match the Bible’s and the Iliad’s references to men weeping and the expectations society has for the modern man is different from both of 20th century and ancient images. Today, politicians can cry in the wake of a tragedy or men can cry during certain films or after the victory of a game. Despite the evolving concept of masculinity, society continues to perpetuate the idea that boys do not cry because society is still teaching young boys that sadness is something only girls feel, and that sadness is replaced eventually by aggression. …show more content…

Up until the romantic period, tears were as proof of a man’s sincerity, honesty, and integrity. In Homer’s Iliad and The Odyssey, there is no conflict between heroic qualities Achilles and and Odysseus and the weeping for home, loved ones, and dying comrades. Achilles is described in the Iliad as having “His comrades/Gathered around, weeping, and with them Achilles, /Shedding hot tears when he saw his loyal friend/Stretched out on the litter, cut with sharp bronze” (Heroic Weeping or Iliad?). When the Gospel writers recorded that “Jesus wept”, the manhood or godhood of Christ was also not questioned.
It wasn’t until the Victorian period that tears were considered unmanly and the idea emerged that crying was more acceptable than women then it was for men. This concept of masculinity evolved as the 20th century emerged with the tearless man as the latest standard for masculinity. The stoicism ideal held strong, notably in the 1972 presidential election when the possible democratic nominee Ed Muskie had his political career destroyed after crying during a press

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