Tears — A Sign of Weakness?

Today I'm going to say a few words about heroes that cry. You've been warned.

Why, does it seem, that so many people view weeping as unheroic? Why is a character, real or imagined, often considered to be weak or vulnerable because he or she displays their emotions openly? It doesn't make any sense to me. Why should characters be considered weak because they feels strongly for something? Why do some people demand cold, robotic heros?

Grant it, there is something to be said for heroes that bear their pain under a stoic mask, silently keeping their cares to themselves; but are they any greater than those who do not? After all, Jesus wept, and there's none greater. I'm tired of people implying—or outright saying—that a strong character (male or female), is any weaker, any less heroic, because of tears.

The truth is that some obstacles are too great, some terrors too terrible, for people to just take in stride. And heros are people—always remember that. It isn't their prowess that makes them heroic, it's that they find the strength to carry on, even when they'd rather give up and go home. And if the problem a character faces doesn't test them, I'm going to put down your book (or movie, or tv show, or whatever it is), and walk away. 'Cause I don't like being bored.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Now that I've subjected you to them, I'm going to sign off,

Go mbeannaí Dia duit,
M. S.

PS I still hope to do a Music Spotlight post today, but I've been sorta busy, so it'll be late.