Literature is a remarkable art, authors deftly illuminate an environment like an artist capturing a landscape; both the pen and brush utilized with careful discretion. Writers craft characters aware of society's norms and its impact upon their identities. Male characters challenge a static alpha male stereotype ingrained within Western culture, restrained by a traditional application concerned with environmental dominance. Ancient Greece immeasurably influenced Western thought and their example continues after thousands of years. Ultimately, characters support or defy the role but some dually bear contempt and affirmation. The male protagonist Odysseus in the poem "The Odyssey" displays an archetype embodying supreme strength. However, a new tide has risen in modern literature, expunging the tired role with its replacement supposing equality, balancing feminine and masculine sides. "Fight Club", by Chuck Palahniuk, warns against confirmation of the male stereotype, illustrating weakness within actions of the extremely masculine character, Tyler. The author of "The Androgynous Man", Noel Perrin, asserts it is acceptable to embrace a man's true identity rejecting society's measurements of masculinity. Despite the criticism, their social commentary does not represent a reformation of the Greek model because Palahniuk and Perrin recall and uphold the ancient ideals and are driven to an imitation of Odysseus. The archetype stands as the weathered foundation for the modern man's identity. .
Confronting a goal of physical and mental perfection with unattainable expectations upon their backs, many succumb to the steady pressure and fall down the social ladder. Perfection as the standard, Ancient Greek society demanded the concept of "arete" or excellence from every free male in Ancient Greece. Men competed constantly, desiring supremacy in both physical and mental capacities. The meaning of arete signified the union of nobility of action and nobility of mind sanctioned in the presence of honor (Homer's Greece).
