Alexandra Chipman English B2 1-23-14

In literature, when someone reads a book, it reflects on a society, and how they would see their heroes, and what they would expect from them. Ancient literature talks about characteristics that were important to the Greeks. Homers book The Odyssey explains what the Greeks looked for in a hero and why. In Greek mythology, the two most significant traits that the Greeks were looking for in a hero were a little emotion and toughness on the outside.

When Odysseus was with Calypso, he had cried his eyes out wanting to go home. Greek mythology says that the hero would have a little emotion, but not all the time, because it shows weakness. She found him sitting upon the beach with his eyes ever filled with tears, and dying of sheer home sickness (Homer, pg. 55). Even though Odysseus was trapped on an island with Calypso (who was beautiful) and who kept throwing herself at him, he wanted to go home to his wife Penelope. In his heart he knew that Penelope was the one for him. Penelope saw him for who he was. Even though Homer started Odysseus character off as a bit emotional, the Greeks believed that he was tough enough to be a hero and fight off evil monsters, and bring back the treasure. In the end, Athena comes and strengthens him. Penelope gets Odysseus arrow from the storeroom, for the suitors to shoot twelve axes in a line for her hand in marriage. Penelope knew that no one could succeed. Odysseus was able to string the arrow and shoot the twelve axes. But Odysseus, when he had taken up and examined it all over, strung it as easily as a skilled bard strings a new peg of his lyre. (Homer, pg. 222). Though, Odysseus was old, he could fight off

the younger suitors, even though they didnt go through what he went through. Odysseus was worn out, but he had enough strength to get himself home to his wife and child. At the end because of his strength Penelope knew it was Odysseus. In this story, Homer brings success and triumph to the hero at the end.