Comparative Essay On Theseus Movie

The similarities between the movie and the book are revealed in the whole story. In the first place, either the movie or the book, both starts with an invocation to the Musse, the goddesses of literature, science, and art in the Greek mythology. For instance, the book begins with an invocation to the daughter of Zeus ‘’ Tell me, O muse, of that ingenious hero who travelled far and wide after he had sacked the famous town of Troy’’; the invocation is appealing for the story of a man that have travelled and fight with bravery (Homer, The Odyssey, p. 4, Book I). The movie also starts with an invocation; ‘’Oh Muse! Sing in me, and trough me tell the story of that man skilled in all the ways of contending, a wanderer, harried

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

Classical ideals of behavior between man and woman are presented in the play. Also Theseus seems to be noble and smart ruler, who cares about his nationals.

If compared to Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey theory, Theseus is considered a mythological hero; however, not in a historical manner in which he is often accredited.

When the story begins, Theseus is living in a small mountain town, and is generally depressed. He has no friends, and he's smaller and scrawnier than all of the other boys living in his village. Theseus picks fights, even if he knows he will lose. Although he trains to be stronger, he is still dissatisfied with his pathetic life. However, his life takes a turn for the better after a seagull visits him in a dream, giving him knowledge that Theseus will use for his entire life . The seagull instructs him that he should use his enemies’ strength to his advantage.

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

After capturing the Athens, Minos declared that every nine years, seven maidens and seven youths were sacrificed to the Minotaur however Theseus volunteers as a sacrifice to defeat the Minotaur. “As an Oak tree falls on the hillside, crushing all that lies beneath. So Theseus, he presses out the life, the Brute’s savage life, and now it lies dead” (Hamilton 207) The author uses a simile to compare the beating of the Minotaur with an Oak tree falling on the hillside to show the reader how powerful Theseus is. Even though Theseus used his physical power to kill the Minotaur, an innocent creature born into madness, it was for good reason.

Theseus showed the sword and the sandals to Aegeus who soon became very ecstatic that he was reunited with his brave son. Although the king was jubilant that his son found him, he was also distressed as it was that time of the year again. The time when six men and six women had to sacrifice themselves to the monstrous Minotaur. A rule so dark, only created by the ruler of Cretan, King Minos. Theseus was determined to go down into the Cretan Labyrinth and kill the Minotaur once and for all. This news spread throughout Athens, so many gods and goddess had something to say about Theseus. Athena, goddess of wisdom and strategies said “Theseus is quite a courageous man, although I do hope he uses some wisdomness strategies before killing the great

The story of Captain America teaches about the need for courage, while Theseus’ story teaches to not jump to conclusions. In the film Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve bravely decides to sneak behind enemy lines to rescue hundreds of American soldiers, “ ‘You saved nearly 400 men...Your a hero’ ” (Captain America: The First Avenger). Steve bravely sneaked behind German lines to release hundreds of men, including his best friend. No other soldier beside Steve would have the courage to perform such a task. Captain America’s story elaborates on the need for courage to perform any dangerous tasks. In the novel Mythology, Theseus’ father kills himself in desperation after seeing black flags of death on Theseus’ ship, “It was to him the

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

Notwithstanding, the fact Perseus severed Gorgon Medusa's head, Theseus is braver than Perseus as he is more courageous and intelligent, consequently leading him to be a better role model for adolescents.

Theseus’s first encounter with sacrifice is the slaying of the King Horse when he is only seven years old. He is terrified when he sees the King Horse slaughtered before his own eyes. Theseus describes his feelings as he sees the horse killed: “That blood seemed to tear the soul out of my breast, as if my own heart had shed it” (Renault 11). Although his mother assures him that the horse has been returned to Mother Dia, the earth goddess, Theseus still grieves for the horse as he saw it as his own brother. The Horse Sacrifice is an act of renewal for the people of Troizen, for long ago the King Horse led the Hellenes to the land near 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).