Examples Of Masculinity In The Odyssey

Oxford Dictionary defines toxic masculinity as a set of attitudes and ways of behaving stereotypically associated with or expected of men, regarded as having a negative impact on men and on society as a whole. These behaviors are shown throughout the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer at various times. This story shows examples of toxic masculinity by shaming women for unapologetically owning their sexuality and thinking that some men in this story have to be manly enough to be accepted in this greek society. Toxic masculinity is harmful because it leads to women and more “emotional” men being disrespected, shamed, and suppressed by aggressive and violent men. The first example of toxic masculinity in The Odyssey by Homer is when Odysseus gets

Telemachus has always been a caring and compassionate person so, when his father comes home he wants to hug him and cherish this moment he’s never had. Odysseus says “‘Quiet’, the old soldier, warned him. ‘Get a grip on yourself. No more questions now’” (Homer 391). This conveys that Odysseus didn't allow Telemachus to be emotional at the time when he hasn't ever really seen his father. Not having a father figure in his life for 20 years has made him be raised by his mom and nurse making him more of an emotional boy in greek society. Which isn't accepted in the idea of masculinity. So when Odysseus sees Telemachus like this he practically says “man up”. A similar example is after the suitors are slaughtered, Telemachus is ordered by his father to kill all the women who worked at the castle and slept with the suitors. As Telemachus is marching the woman into their death he says “No clean death for the likes of them. By god! Not from me– they showered

This is first shown in the character Calypso, she is a sea nymph who made Odysseus stay on her island for three years. During this time they were having an affair. So when it came time for him to leave her she got blamed and shamed for it because he is married. While he gets off easy. Calypso, standing up for herself, pleads “‘Ah what a wicked man you are, and never at a loss. What a thing to imagine, what a thing to say!’” (Homer 158). In this excerpt, she is asserting and standing up for herself. She is pointing out that Odysseus has no harm in having sex with her while she gets shamed by the gods because he’s married. Although he is the unfaithful husband, he is the married one. Another piece of evidence relating to the topic of double standard is also in the same situation where Calypso is getting shamed for sleeping with Odysseus. She argues to the gods “Hard-hearted you are, you gods! You unrivaled lords of jealousy-scandalized when goddesses sleep with mortals.” (Homer 317). This relationship shows the way men act in relationships and also how women are treated in this kind’ve illicit affair. Calypso genuinely loved him and when she was shamed and blamed for the relationship she was upset because it wasn't all her fault. Calypso also points out mercurial attitudes in men, Odysseus, and the gods. She is saying that not only do mortal men get away with affairs so do