Imagine being color blind, where what is displayed is not what is seen. Likewise, someone with contradictory personalities may leave someone dumbfounded. In this way, the heroic persona given off may not be that person’s true identity. Then again, the motivation behind this unpredictable personality change is often unknown. Miss Strangeworth, a seemingly sweet old lady, was extremely well known in her town. This woman was also respected by all, but she did not show the same respect in return. At least, not behind closed doors. In the same way, Hercules, the Greek hero possessing supernatural strength, had an uncontrollable temper at times that potentially led to an almost unforgivable act. Both characters planned to rid certain areas of evil, and in doing so, they had to deal with personalized consequences. Miss Strangeworth from The Possibility of Evil by Shirley Jackson and Hercules from Edith Hamilton’s Mythology depict different …show more content…
However, again, Hercules’ was very public. Miss Strangeworth was having a normal day until she realized a letter quite similar to the ones she wrote, saying “LOOK AT WHAT USED TO BE YOUR ROSES” (Jackson 214). Whoever punished her for her wrongdoings was exceptionally clever, allowing her to feel how the receivers of her letters felt. Hopefully, Miss Strangeworth learned her lesson. Hercules’ consequences were the twelve labors, consisting of him completing seemingly impossible tasks which he miraculously achieved. “The tasks Eurystheus gave him to so are called ‘the Labors of Hercules’” (Hamilton 232). Hercules was given these labors as a punishment, but he handled them like everyday activities. Even after completing them, he did not forgive himself. There is motivation behind every action, whether it receives a consequence or not, and in this case, Hercules and Miss Strangeworth’s motivations are
Hercules learns his lesson of not being selfish and to have an open heart when he finishes his labors and becomes a god Zeus says this ““A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his
In the book of Mythology, by Edith Hamilton, the author introduces the Greek hero, Hercules, who is the son of Zeus. The author explains Hercules’ atonement towards a fatal accident that Hercules caused. The accident was so great that he feels a desperate need for purification, so he accomplishes labors that are believed to be incredibly impossible to complete so he can be granted the desire for atonement after the horrific murder of his family.
In this case many of his struggles are struggles against himself, however Hercules tries to make amends for his accidents using only his bravery and immense strength.Hercules shows what the rest of Greece found heroic, however: he is passionate but unintelligent.Hercules’s heroism consists of great deeds rather than good deeds; brute strength, self-confidence, and a simplistic but upright virtue are his most valued traits.They are both violent however they both have their heroic
She died saving him and he's the only one who can save her. In Hercules, he goes from zero to hero. He goes from a dorky kid that everyone avoids to a hero, a son of a God. He finally finds where he belongs and feels like he has a purpose.
The Possibility Of Evil Analysis . Everyone knows this one person that is so kind and sweet in front of people but then go talk about those people behind their back . There are a lot of those people in this world but one in particular will be talked about in this essay . Miss Adela Strangeworth talks to everyone that she passes in her town , then she writes letters about them and mails them to the person she wants to address ,
Hercules was child born in a small village who was very strong. He was loved by both his parents and by all the village, because he was very generous with his ability. As he got older he kept growing even stronger. He did many odd jobs around the village to earn his living. One day a strange and terrifying roar came from the forest outside the village. The roars did not stop, but continued for several days. When the villagers realized the sound would not stop and could even be a threat, it was decided that Hercules, as the strongest man in the village should go to investigate, as he would be at the least risk. Hercules went, though he was very afraid. When he found the source of the roaring, he discovered it was a wounded lion. The lion was wounded, but was very clearly still mobile and all the more dangerous for being hurt. Hercules crept up on the lion from behind and strangled it. He brought back the head as a trophy to show the villagers. They all admired Hercules's courage as well as his strength. Many more similar incidents occurred and Hercules grew more and more confident until he became far too prideful and began to lose respect. He did not understand why, and when he contemplated his loss of popularity he
This act tarnishes the image of Odysseus as a hero, as it suggests a lack of mercy and compassion, traits often associated with heroism. In the broader context of heroism, it is important to consider the motivations and consequences of the actions performed. Odysseus' harsh treatment of the maids complicates his status as a hero. A true hero should not only demonstrate physical strength and
In ‘’The Possibility of Evil’’, Miss Adela Strangeworth is depicted as a villain. Miss Strangeworth in fact is similar to a rose, a rose is a simple flower that looks angelic but has thorns that can prick someone and cause harm. Miss Strangeworth gives the illusion of a 71 year-old lady that can cause no harm and has a heart of gold that cares and worries for everyone. But behind the pretty picture, is a villainous woman who is controlling, bullies the other townspeople, and is jealous of others success.
In Greek mythology Hercules is known for his strength and courage, considered as half man and half god. He was an adventurous superhuman born from mortal mother and the son of god Zeus. Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus decided to kill Hercules after his birth. Hercules then married the Theben princess Megara and had three children. However, Hera wasn’t happy about him. She was filled hatred of him, and as time goes, this situation made him to kill his wife and all his children. Hercules then felt guilty about the crime he had done. Hercules was charged to serve his cousin, king Eurystheus, and the ‘twelve labors’ were given to him as punishments. Those labors are a call to adventure that made Hercules to cross the threshold
When Hercules went to Eurystheus, the king eagerly started to think of twelve labors for Hercules. What Hercules didn’t know was that Hera was influencing the king to think of tasks that seemed to be impossible. However, no matter what task Hercules had to complete, he always came back with the task completed. After twelve years and twelve labors, he was finally released. Hercules’ went on to live a life full of adventures, and he even remarried to a woman named Deineira. Deineira became very jealous when Hercules took King Eurystheus’ daughter Lole prisoner for vengeance. She feared Hercules was being unfaithful to her, and wanted to make sure she was the only woman he loved. She took the blood of a centaur (that she was tricked into thinking would make Hercules love her forever) and smeared it on his robe, but it turned out to be poison. Hercules began to die when he put the robe on, but it ended up only killing the mortal part of him. Hera decided to end her
These labors were designated to him through King Eurystheus because of the unspeakable acts he committed. Hercules sought out many prophets, only in the end to return to King Eurystheus to complete his 12 suicidal labors. One of the last 6 labors completed was to capture the Cretan Bull. Minos promised Poseidon that he would sacrifice whatever the god sent to him. Poseidon sent a great bull, but Minos thought it was too beautiful to kill. So he killed another bull, and Poseidon grew angry so he made it rampage through the city of Crete. Hercules wrestled the bull to the ground. He carried the bull back to Eurystheus, but it could not be tamed so Eurystheus set it free. The 8th labor Hercules had to complete was stealing the Mares of Diomedes. Diomedes’ Mares are 4 men eating horses with terrible tempers. Diomedes kept the horses chained to a golden post to keep them from escaping. Hercules snuck behind the golden post taming the horses, and right before he could release them Diomedes soldiers began attacking Hercules. From hearing all the commotion Diomedes awakens. He is informed that Hercules is trying to steal the mares from a random foot soldier. Diomedes is irate and attacks Hercules.
Hercules is not the hero that greek mythology glorifies him to be. His ruthless acts to “purify” himself from killing his family, are nothing but him following commands of robbery, whether it be of a life or possession. He is less of a hero and more of a modern day hired ‘hitman’. Hercules agreed to completing the twelve tedious labours, however bad they might be. If he was ordered to steal something, he would. If he was told to kill something, he would do it. His actions are more alike the ones of an assassin or hitman rather than a selfless hero.
King Eurypterus told Hercules that the only way to cleanse himself is to complete 12 heroic labors. He added that performing these labors would cause Hercules to become an immortal god with honor restored. Hercules first labor was to kill the Nemean lion. The second labor was to kill the multi-headed hydra. The third labor was to capture Cerynitian without wounding it. The fourth labor was to capture an enormous boar. The fifth labor was to clean the stables of King Augeas in a single day. The sixth labor was to kill the stymphalian birds without entering the swamp. The seventh labor tasked Hercules was disposal of the Minotaur. The eighth labor was to bring the mares of Diomedes to King Eurypterus. The ninth labor was to retrieve the belt of the queen Hippolyta. The tenth labor was to capture cattle that belonged to Geryon, a monster. The eleventh
People’s personalities are not always what they seem. That is the case in Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Possibility of Evil.” The main character is an elderly woman who seems sweet and kind; however, she reveals that she is not sweet and kind. Miss Strangeworth’s character can be analyzed by considering what she does, what the narrator says about her, and how other characters interact with her.
Appearances can be very deceiving. Although someone may appear to be innocent and naive, you never know what they are capable of. This relates to Miss Strangeworth, a character in “The Possibility of Evil” by Shirley Jackson. Miss Strangeworth is a complicated character because of her conflicting personality. Although her actions are deceptive, her intentions and thoughts are very compassionate.