"So I said, and it broke my shipmates' hearts.
They sank down on the ground, moaning, tore their hair.
But it gained us nothing-what good can come of grief?"
~ Odysseus
Book 10, page 248, line 623-625
Odysseus knows that he and his men must suffer more. Knowing that he has not achieved his nostos yet, he must continue on. Suffering along with his men is not an option in order to succeed in achieving his goal. This is a requirement of a hero according to Homer and so Odysseus must toil and slave longer in order to acquire greatness. Being plagued by the gods through bad weather and the circumstances that surely test his capabilities and skill, Odysseus knows that he will get what he wants. He will return home.
The idea of heroism in the Greek civilization is evident and very prominent in Homer's classic; the Odyssey, the journey of a man who achieves greatness and the title of a hero through his troubles and travels. In order to deserve, one must prove themselves worthy of the title; "hero".
If you suffer, you will be rewarded. This also refernces back to the idea of the golden mean, the balance in Greek society that maintains values. The balance of negative and positive, of good and evil, of suffering and rewards, is required in life. To learn and go through circumstances in life that show this balance is a requirement of life.
Insightful post!
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