The Heroes Of Classical Mythology

Hero, the word strikes a universal chord making us think of exceptional and spectacular stories or deeds that far surpass any common feat. To the Greeks and many other cultures, the birth of these heroes is important. The birth of a hero sets them, apart often even before birth, from common mortals in Greek mythology. Birth is the first of many major events in our lives, our entrance into the world (Leeming). For heroes, that entrance must be as special as their lives will prove to be. A mundane birth is simply not an option for a hero, whether by the machinations of the gods or prophecies from an oracle, even the events surrounding their conception must be spectacular. From Perseus and Danaë to Theseus and Aethra, the myths

The stories of heroes have been at the axis of nearly all cultures throughout history. Each different type of religion or culture has their own heroes or legends, each one of them having their differences to go along with the beliefs at hand. On the other hand, each and every hero also has their similarities, which therefore makes them the hero. The setting, events, and characters in each and every story may change, but the characteristics of the hero remain basically the same. Each person is usually made into a hero in a somewhat similar fashion. For example, many heroes begin as imperfect characters, and then begin some sort of quest which leads to them becoming a leader of what they are doing, and then the character goes through a

The heroes are like other human beings but have either done something which makes them excel over others or have a gift that others do not possess.

In the United States alone, 92% of the children (ages 10 - 17) say that their heroes include their parents. As well as 73% saying that their heroes include professional athletes, and 72% saying that their heroes include teachers. (National) What are some of the traits that might be influencing this generation to look up to a certain sect of people? Power, intelligence, drive, empathy, all of the above? What does it mean to be a hero in today's society, and would the ancient Greek heroes Hercules, Theseus, and Perseus still be considered heroes to modern day societal rules. Theseus and Perseus would still be considered heroes in modern day society. However, Hercules has bad qualities that overrule the ones that might be considered heroic.

A hero is described as a figure who is recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments. Joseph Campbell says all hero’s follow a certain path. First, they go through a separation, then an initiation. They go through an initiation to show their worth as a hero, then they return and are reintegrated with society after learning a lesson. Hero’s should also be relatable, which is why they often go through crisis and failures. Even though they contrast each other, Rama from the Ramayana and Gilgamesh from the Epic of Gilgamesh have similar archetypes of the hero.

Many tales in Greek mythology concern the lives of heroes, who rank somewhere between men and gods. They were stronger and braver than other men and achieved great deeds, but they lacked the magic or supernatural powers of the gods and their deeds were accomplished by the use of human characteristics- courage, strength, and endurance.

To this day, in the 21st century, homo sapiens still write stories about heroes that will save them and society. The number one characteristic that describes a hero is one that has a Stoic sense of duty that can overcome the desire for personal fulfillment. Achilles, Aeneas, and Roland were all created to create personal comfort for their people that lived in such a hectic and dangerous world. These three protagonists who were viewed by their cultures as gods also showed their people that they did portray human characterists (two out of the three even die) and that anyone can be like them if they tried. In a way they were used to inspire their respective residents to be better civilians in their community. If everyone could follow that, than living in a turbulent world would go from reality to

A hero is something that society has formed an idea about the characteristic it should posses from history. Through the stories told from the past a hero is developed through their qualities and characteristics they value. When one views a hero from a different culture they can form an opinion on what matters to that culture. One will notice that through all these different heroes that they all share common features. In ancient Hebrew culture Moses represents a hero and for ancient Greek culture Odysseus represents heroic figures.

Heroes are those who have gone above what the average person would do to ensure the welfare of others. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, and war are some of the many things that destroy and end people’s lives. Throughout history, many people have made a difference. However, as history progresses, what we consider to be socially normal changes along with our definition of a hero. In Ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus were considered heroes, but today only Theseus and Perseus would be considered heroes because Hercules would be shunned by society.

In the realm of Greek myth, it is the focus on heroes rather than of Gods themselves that humanises the myth. Although Gods may operate in the background it is the human traits such as worth, dignity and potential that holds the main focus. The heroes of Greek myth share certain characteristics or experiences. Some of these include a divine parent or ancestor, physical strength, a performance of seemingly “impossible feats” and an encounter with divine powers. Although the hero has his own characteristics, he will typically follow a traditional pattern throughout his life. Both the work of mythographer Lord Raglan and the Russian folkorist

Heroes is a being that is admired for courage. Most times people think heroes are people who save others and many times it is true but Theseus, Perseus, and Hercules are a bit different. These heroes have have been favored by gods. Also they have traits such as having confidence and some not very intelligent. Every hero is different and these heroes go through very different journeys.

all the commotion was about, she was amazed at the sight of her infant son

A hero preforms actions to show people right from wrong, for instance; they show people how to respect other people. Respect is one of the biggest

Each of the heroines in the three plays have some sort of a reason for what they do, which is why I am able to elaborate on how they were in the right. Before doing so, background information will help you understand the “crimes” to the Greek culture that were committed. The three heroines being discussed are Medea, Antigone, and Lysistrata. Medea executed her children, Antigone buried her brother, and Lysistrata condemned men from having sex with their wives until the war ends. Medea is the wife of Jason, whom she supported all throughout her life. That is until Jason planned a marriage with the daughter of Creon (Glauce), while leaving Medea and their children on her own. Medea is infuriated by Jason’s decision to “better the family” by marrying into royalty because, she had always been there for Jason, from giving him children, to betraying her own people to help him. Although Jason tries to rationalize with Medea about what she threatens to do (kill their children). He follows through with the re-marriage which pushes her over the edge. Euripides makes it very clear that Medea suffers, which is ultimately why she ends up killing their children. She does this because Jason made her suffer so badly, to the point where she needed to get back at him in a way that would genuinely hurt him. I don’t believe that this is okay, but she was in the right because Jason single-handedly destroyed her will to live and left her feeling useless in the world.

Heroes are one of the most important subjects of Greek mythology, hero was considered someone that is more that an ordinary man but less than a god, so in effect it has it’s own place between humans and gods. Heroes like Achilleus and Hector in Homers Iliad fought on opposite sides of Trojan War. Hector as well as Achilleus possesses the essential qualities of a hero according to a heroic code, they both had a support from gods, honoured by other men and were leaders of their people just to name a few.