The movie Immortals borrows some of the myth of Theseus for its plot. A lot of the film seems to be a modern attempt at creating a Greek myth. Altogether this film fails to follow the myth of Theseus although it does bring some parts of the myth into it.
There are few similarities between the film and the myth. Rewrites are in abundance in the film. At least they placed Theseus with his mother for the opening of the tale. In an obvious rewrite in the film, Theseus finds the Epirus bow in a rock instead of the sword and shoes left by his father. (Hamilton 209)
There is a scene in the movie where Theseus and his motley crew are about to steal a boat for their travels, which is very unlike the myth for Theseus to take a boat on his
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Yet, like the character in Hamilton, they seem to be inseparable.
While it’s nice to see Phaedra’s appearance in the film, it's unfortunate because it is almost completely incorrect. The only thing that is correct about Phaedra character in the film is her being romantically linked to Theseus. The film doesn’t even acknowledge his marriage to Phaedra.
The writer’s intention to create a new myth is apparent in this film. There is insufficient reference to the original myth. They only kept one of the main adventures of Theseus’. For the most part there was very little tying the movie to the myth.
Does this movie start with Theseus’ story of origins, or does it pertain to his myth at all? In this film Theseus’ character is nothing like the actual myth. One can only surmise, the writers have deliberately played down Theseus’ origins for the movie’s sake. An audience loves an underdog, but would they identify with the son of a king?
Theseus’ mother is not a major component in Hamilton’s myth. As if his peasant status isn’t enough the film casts his character’s mother as a whore and Theseus as a product of rape. If the audiences weren’t on his side now, then Theseus watching his mother’s throat sliced in front of him would sure sway them.
While Hamilton’s tale is short, it does not detail much of Theseus’ upbringing. Hamilton briefly mentions a grandfather, allowing the writers to take from another myth. The film makes
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.
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.
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
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.
The court has a legal responsibility to determine if the defendant on trial was of sound mind at both the time of the crime and competent enough to understand the consequences of his or her actions. For example, in cases where a defendant suffers from mental illness or defect, such as those resulting from a TBI, the defendant may not be capable of formulating mens rea and, therefore, cannot commit legal commit a particular crime with any form of true intention. However, the general meaning of intent changes somewhat with regard to the legal responsibility of a crime and generally requires some form of premeditation by the defendant. Essentially, the term intention is defined within the justice system as being a formal commitment or plan of
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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).