Theseus Hero's Journey Analysis

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.

The stories of epic heroes remain important to many cultures, the Greeks in particular. These tales of heroic men not only entertain, but they teach people about morals and values that most epic heroes exemplify, such as intelligence and bravery. To be an epic hero, characters are usually highly born, favored by the gods, perform great deeds, and have flaws. These tales are told in heightened style and occur in grand settings. Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, meets these traits and is considered a prime example of an epic hero. His story is told in Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad. However, Odysseus’s journey sets him apart from other epic heroes. Most heroes follow the hero’s journey, in which a hero begins in the ordinary world, is called

Throughout history, poets, authors, and directors have created characters labeled as “heroes”. These figures can be brave and kind; they can be strong and intelligent, but regardless of the attributes these “heroes” possess, they reflect those valued and admired by the people of that time and culture. Homer, the author of book nine of The Odyssey, “In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave,” used the character Odysseus to appear heroic by showcasing the traits readers would find most desirable in a person. Homer showed such characteristics in Odysseus when he wrote him to be brave when confronted with danger, intelligent in problem-solving, and extremely loyal to his homeland.

Myths consists of many legendary heroes within, but what makes them different from an ordinary person. Many convey that it is not very challenging to be a hero, but wise ones know the struggles of being a hero, which the texts “Theseus” and “The Adventure of Odysseus”, written in the book “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton proves. Heroes may require help from others, but more often than not, they are fearless fighters who do not need the aid of others to be successful. Heroes might easily gain credits for the work of their fellow allies, but that does not mean it is easy to be a hero. A true hero should not be afraid of pain or death just like the great legend Theseus. At the same time, these heroes must be like the extraordinary hero Odysseus, who is successful in his heroic journey.

The Hero’s Journey is made up of a series of landmarks in which any hero follows on their journey. In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus, the main protagonist, follows through each step of this journey. His journey begins with his call to adventure. The start of his epic journey from Troy back home to Ithaca begins with his voyage to the Trojan War. Following when the war adjourned, Odysseus was called to lead his men home from the war which is the call to the journey that is explained in the epic. One of the most prominent parts of Odysseus’s journey is his Supernatural Aide or Mentors. There are many gods and goddesses whom offer their assistance to Odysseus along his journey. Following the start of Zeus’s curse on Odysseus in response to the

The short story “A Hero’s Test” by Alisoun Witting shows heroism by using indirect characterization to show the Greek God Theseus putting his life on the line to save Athens. When Theseus finds out that Minos is taking innocent people to the labyrinth to fight a minotaur, he bravely steps up to go kill the minotaur. Theseus tells the people of Athens that “[he] will kill the minotaur” and “ free Athens” from Minos’ challenge (Witting, 2). He is a hero to the people of Athens because he is saving the innocent lives of the citizens. His social status in the eyes of the people, being a God and son of Aegeus, he is perceived as a stereotypical hero. The

The epic poem “The Odyssey” by Homer is about King Odysseus and his goal to return home to his family after being away for twenty years. The “Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell represents a Hero’s steps in a story that also represents Odysseus’s journey getting back home. In “The Odyssey” Odysseus goes through most of the steps in the “Hero’s Journey”. The steps are Entering the Unknown, getting Supernatural Aid, and Odysseus’s ability to Master Two Worlds.

In “The Odyssey “ by Homer, Odysseus takes a very long physical and mental journey. Odysseus, king of Ithaca, encounters many different kinds of people and magical beings. In the essay “The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell, represents the overall journey that a hero takes, weather it be physical, mental, or spiritual in a book . Odysseus takes part in many of these steps. The story does not follow all the steps of “The Hero’s Journey,” but it does follow most of them. Odysseus’ journey follows “The Hero’s Journey” because he goes through Supernatural Aid, Tests and Supreme Ordeals, and a reward and journey home. Odysseus takes a journey that lasted twenty years .It is filled with

“With the personifications of his destiny to guide and aid him, the hero goes forward in his adventure until he comes to the ‘threshold guardian’ at the entrance to the zone of magnified power”. Thus wrote the mythologist Joseph Campbell on the hero’s departure from his home as he ventures into the world of the unknown where he will encounter many challenges. Owing to its form as a nostos, Homer’s Odyssey (trans. Shrewing) conforms to the obverse of this mythological paradigm postulated by Campbell. The challenge for Odysseus is to return, not to his native land of Ithaca, but to the mortal realm away from his heroic past. No scene other than the trial of the marriage bed within Book XXIII more potently illuminates this. For Odysseus’ journey

Theseus goes through great measures to travel to either meet his father or volunteer to participate in the fight against Minotaur in Labyrinth. Before Theseus' birth, his

Finally, the Greek hero Theseus can be compared to the modern fictional Hero arrow through the final stage of the hero’s journey, which is the hero’s return. In the T.V. show, Arrow Oliver Queen returns to his home of starling city when he is eventually found on a remote island, which comes as a surprise to everyone in Starling City because he was presumed dead for many years. He turns into a vigilante and becomes known as the Arrow. He fights, to save his city from crime, and corruption using the skills he acquired on the island, and becomes known as a robin hood like figure by the people of Starling City, his return was fuelled by a desire to save his city. In Theseus’s return, he returns to the city of Athens where which is ruled by his

Theseus had volunteered to go to his adventure whereas Joseph had never chose the path. To cross his threshold, Theseus crosses sea to reach Crete and goes underwater to retrieve the ring to prove his identity. He also entered the labyrinth in order to slay the minotaur. Joseph was thrown into a well (underground), was sold into a slave trade, and goes in a dungeon, once again underground. Both heroes also had to go through a lot of struggle to reach their

Humanity has always strived for greatness, and is destined to continue this attempt till the world stops spinning. Through the art of storytelling, and literature, we have weaved images of what the ideal human should be. Countless works of literature depict such humans as “heroes”, due to the inspiration they stir within our imperfect souls. Truly epic heroes shape future stories, and remain influential despite the weathering of time. Two heroes of epic proportions can be found in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, through the grand tales of Achilles and Odysseus. How are these two men heroes? Better yet, what makes each unique in their

The heroes in The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, and Oedipus are all men that share many traits, but are not the typical heroes that 21st century readers today may relate to. Instead, they are flawed men who must overcome great challenges. However, heroes play a vital role in the ancient epic texts that are still enjoyed today. Without the hero, there would be no tale to tell, and the stories of Gilgamesh, Odysseus, Oedipus, would be unknown to us. Understanding the role of the hero, and the differences between heroes is useful to better understand the literary masterpieces within the context of the times they were written in as well.

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).