Honor And Masculinity In Homer's Odyssey

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War brings out the best in Homer’s heroes, as they tap previously unknown reserves of strength, courage, and loyalty. But war also can bring out the worst in men. The theme of honor and masculinity is very strong that it overshadows the barbarity and unavoidable death or war. If they don’t battle it is considered an insult to masculinity. Achilles is driven by pride, anger and grief which leads him to go to war. “If that man takes my life with his sharp bronze blade, he will strip my gear and haul it back to his ships, but give my body to friends to carry home again, so Trojan men and Trojan women can do me honor with fitting rites of fire once I am dead” (illiad book 7). Women became objects of desire and pride for warriers to possess and

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