In the college textbook Mythology and You, by Rosenberg and Baker, and the epic poem The Odyssey, by Homer, their messages about leadership are non-interchangeable. Mythology and You teaches one that you need to have strength to be a powerful leader, while The Odyssey teaches one that you need to lead by example and never give up. Mythology and You is compromised of many myths created by the Mycenaeans and Minoans. The Odyssey is an epic poem explaining the journey of Odysseus, a lost soldier trying to return home. Mythology and You and The Odyssey spread different lessons on leadership, but both are important. Both stories share messages on needing muscle to be a successful leader. In Mythology and You, Heracles exhibits his strength when he strangles the Nemean Lion with his bare hands. In The Odyssey, Odysseus displays his strength when he strings his bow that no other man could string. Having strength makes being a leader unchallenging. If both leaders are brawny, they can use their strength in situations where being smart won’t help. Both heroes have characteristics of the stereotypical leader: a buff, handsome male. Everyone looks up to these men and realize strength is important in being a significant leader. Another message spread…show more content… Mythology and You teaches one that you need to have muscle to be an influential leader, while The Odyssey teaches one that you need to lead by example and never lose hope. The myths teach readers that being strong can outweigh being intelligent, while the epic poems teach readers that staying calm allows followers to be subservient. In life, people want to trail leaders who are humble and strong. Being humble is important since the leader should not let the power go to his or her head. Strength is important since brainpower does not always provide assistance. Both of these lessons are portrayed in Mythology and You and The
