The King Of Theseus : Father Of Aegeus And Aethra

Odysseus’s love for Penelope has not been changed even though he spends almost eight years with goddesses. When Odysseus meet his mother in the House of Death, he asks her about his family and royal rights. His shows the values of kingship for him as he says, “do my royal rights still lie in their safekeeping?” (XI.269). So let’s look to the feeling of kingship that is internalized within him due to a period of hardship.

In ancient Greece, Theseus would be considered a hero because he was courageous while also being kind. Even as a small child, Theseus showed great courage. For example, when he was a young boy and was looking for his father, he chose travel by land instead of by sea because the land was more dangerous. The land was more dangerous because there were many bandits along the way, but Theseus wanted to become a hero as quickly as possible, so he traveled by land and killed every bandit along the way. Greeks would have valued this courage because in ancient Greece, people greatly admired brave and powerful heroes who wouldn't back down from any challenge. Although Theseus was brave, he was also kind to others. This is why he convinced Hercules not to kill himself after he murdered his family under the influence of Hera. Many other people would’ve agreed with Hercules ending his own life for what he’d done, but Theseus knew that it wasn’t his fault, and that suicide was not the right way. The ancient greeks would have valued this because ancient greece was a violent and dangerous, so someone who was kind and gentle and was also strong was person to be respected.

Theseus, born of Aethra and Poseidon, grew up secretly in Troezen keeping him protected from those who would harm him. Thus, claiming the items his father left him and setting out for Athens, he started on the path leading to many great and heroic adventures.

Now Theseus is older and is in his father’s palace in Athens, the fame seeking youth decided to set his sights on a new journey. A journey which would lead to him being loved and remembered by all the people of Athens. During this time Athens had a severe problem, the neighboring island Crete would attack them every so often. The king of Athens decided to try and compromise with Crete. He stated if Crete left Athens alone for nine years they would send fourteen Athenian youths seven male and seven females as a sacrifice to Minos to be fed to the Minotaur king Minos pet. The king of Athens goal was to build a strong navy, so they could defend themselves from Crete. Surprisingly the king of Crete Mino kept his word and never attacked Athens. Now nine years had come, and it was Athens turn to keep their word. The king of Athens was conflicted as he knew the value of keeping one's word. Theseus seeing this as the perfect opportunity to earn new fame and liken his image in Athens volunteered as the seventh male Athenian youth. Theseus’s goal is to slay the Minotaur and save his fellow Athenians. Theseus promises his father, he will return alive and when he does, he will change the color of the sail on the ship from white to black. In the event the sails stay black his father should assume Theseus has met his demise. After the Athenians arrive in Crete they are welcomed by King Mino’s and princess Ariadne, upon seeing

In the first part of the play Egeus has asked the Duke of Athens, Theseus, to rule in

Theseus, the newly found prince of Athens, embarks on several hero journeys including on against Minos’ Minotaur and the Labyrinth. Joseph Campbell’s representation of the hero’s journey fully encompasses Theseus’ narrative throughout his quest to defeat the Minotaur. Beginning with a call to adventure on through the crossing of the threshold and on to the reward and resurrection. Compared to Rank’s hero’s journey which includes a revelation and transformation with atonement, Campbell’s process fits more precisely to Theseus’ story.

Theseus has many changes in his character throughout his adventures. These developments in his mindset lead him from being a depressed, weak child, to a strong leader that many look up to.

1. Who is Theseus? Why is he anxious for the rising of the new moon?

Theseus is clever in that he is able to figure out a solution hastily given a situation. On his journey to Athens, Theseus encountered Sciron whom he had heard of as someone who fed passersby to his giant turtle. In the text, it states, “When the giant kicked, Theseus pulled, dodging swiftly out of the way as the enormous body hurled over him, over and down, splashing the water cliff-high as it hit” (Evslin 153). In order to avoid being fed to the turtle, he used the giant’s kick tactic against him and sent him hurling down into the water. This

He truly follows and believes in his sworn oath as a knight. For instance, at the beginning of the story he accepts the challenge from the widows and goes after creon to exact revenge. “So far as it should lie within his might, he would take vengeance on this tyrant King”. He couldn’t refuse them because he felt as if his control was being threatened and wanted to bring peace to the civil unrest. Another trait of Theseus is his ability to think before ruling. He doesn't simply spit out laws and consequences, but relates and connects to the situation, which allows him to find the best solution to these problems. Theseus’s main goal when solving his situation is to bring justice without threatening the protection of his kingdom . An example is shown when he allows Arcita and Palamon to fight for Emily, but under his supervision and circumstances. Theseus want to able to end the conflict between Arcita and Palamon, by letting them settle it out under his rules and supervision he is able to find a resolution to this disorder while still being able to maintain control. All of these examples support the parallel of Theseus to Jupiter. Chaucer even compares Theseus to a god on the morning of the battle. He writes, “ Throned in a window giving on a pleasance, Sat theseus like a god in panoply”. Chaucer recognizes Theseus’s actions and purpose and relates them to a figure of higher being. Although Theseus’s power to control is limited he does all in his ability to bring peace and order into his

Theseus is a youthful mortal who wanted only, but to know who his father is, so he inquired his mother, Aethra. Aethra had responded saying that his father was Aegeus, king of Athens, but the heart of Aethra truly belonged to the great Poseidon, god of the deep blue sea. Aethra bestowed a sharp, deadly, cold sword and a pair of sandals upon Theseus and she said, “Take them to him, and call him father.”, and, so Theseus went on a quest to find his father, Aegeus.

Theseus’ quest hoped to end the unnecessary sacrifices, but caused another. Theseus’ father, Aegeus was the King of Athens. Aegeus put a sword and shoes in a hole under a boulder, when Theseus could lift the stone, he was old enough to become the heir. Theseus was successful and traveled to Athens by land, a perilous route, killing all the bandits. Upon arrival at Athens he was praised and invited to the King’s dinner. Aegeus recognized his sword in Theseus’ hand and declared Theseus as his son and the heir. Every nine years the Minotaur took fourteen victims into his Labyrinth and Theseus was determined to end the cycle. He offered to be a victim, with a plan to kill the beast. In exchange for a marriage, Theseus received a ball of yarn along

Overall, the ancient greeks valued Theseus because of his compassion and wisdom. Theseus showed compassion when Hercules’s burst of insanity, caused by his stepmother, Hera, led him to kill his wife and children and then want to kill himself. Although the public shunned Hercules, Theseus thought that a man could not be charged for murder if he had not known what he was doing, and those who had influenced the man should be charged for the crime as well. So Theseus brought him under his wing and welcomed him inside his house. Theseus, who was just as compassionate as he was wise, demonstrated his wisdom after his father’s death, who was king of Athens. The only place of power he wanted was the position of commander and chief. He also formed a council and a place where people could vote. Thus, establishing the first democracy. As seen in my first example, Theseus showed compassion to Hercules, when no other man

When he is there, he is almost sacrificed by being poisoned by Lady Medea, but the cup of poisoned wine is knocked away. “As my mouth touched it, I felt it plucked from my hands” (Renault 125). The reason he was going to be killed was to break the curse plaguing Athens that was brought upon by Aigeus’s grandfather. Aigeus weeps after Theseus discovers the king’s plan, but Theseus understands why he was supposed to die and feels that it is his duty to rule Athens to make up for the curse. Theseus inherits the curse, however, and his own son dies. However, the death of his son is the cause for the renewal of Athens and the lifting of the

Introduced as “a conqueror…greater” than any other “beneath the sun,” Thesëus, the wise and chivalrous lord Athens, is a merciful and noble duke (Chaucer 24). As a wise and noble leader, Thesëus, with a “heart of pity,” mends the ailments of his people, “ as he [is] a true knight.” (26).