1) Yes, I believe Cleomedes’ actions map onto Maurizio’s “Five traits of Greek Heroes”. Maurizio’s first trait was that “a hero was understood to be a man who died.” (436) in Cleomedes’ case this maps onto the five traits because in the passage Cleomedes dies. Furthermore, his death is shrouded in mystery because no one knows how he died. The passage mentions “they broke open the boards of the chest, but found no Cleomedes” this incident adds ambiguity to his death. This ambiguity corresponds with another trait, mentioned by Maurizio, which states that “Heros die prematurely, violently or mysteriously.” (437) The third trait is that “Heroes perform extraordinary deeds that may or may not be moral” (436) Cleomedes illustrates this trait in …show more content…
Firstly, there are numerous characteristics that they share, like losing their sanity. Losing their sanity plays a pivotal role in the stories of both these heroes. Maurizio mentions that Heracles “driving Heracles mad, Hera causes him to kill his wife, Megara, and their two sons” (442) this shows the enormous impact Heracles’ insanity has on his myth. This is very similar to Cleomedes story because in the story, “he became mad through grief …..he pulled down the pillar.. This fell upon the children”. The death of numerous kids by Cleomedes defines how his myth turns out. However, Heracles in his story is driven insane by Hera while Cleomedes is driven insane because of his grief and not because of a god. Furthermore, another thing common between these two heroes was that both of these characters try to repent for the crimes they committed. Heracles “performs various deeds as punishment” (Maurizio, 442) for his actions while Cleomedes hides in the chest to absolve himself from the crimes he committed. The wanting to absolve themselves from crimes they committed separates them from many Greek heroes. Although, there are many similarities between these 2 characters there is one stark difference between them. Upon Heracles’ death Maurizio mentions that “Heracles is allowed to enter Olympus” (444) on the other hand Cleomedes wasn’t “either alive or dead,” he simply disappears. This might have happened because Heracles’ plight was caused by Hera, an Olympian, and so it was fair to allow Heracles to enter Olympus. On the contrary Cleomedes’ problems originated from his grief and not due to god and so, like most of the Greek heroes, he probably died and went to the
This is because he killed his own children due to Hera driving him mad. In order to pay penance for his actions, he had to carry out ten labors, if he succeeded he would be forgiven and granted immortality. The order of the stories of Heracles on the Treasury of the Athenians are in this order from left to right: "Heracles and the Lion, Heracles and the Hind, Heracles and the Centaur, Heracles and Cycnus, Heracles and Orthrus, Geryon, and cows of
Traits of Hero Tom Hanks once said, “A hero is somebody walks voluntarily into the unknow” (Hanks). In Homer's “The Odyssey”, Odysseus displays he is a hero. In the story Odysseus goes on a ten year journey with obstacles and eventually makes his way home to be reunited with his family. Many of the obstacles have shaped Odysseus as a character for the better. On this 10 year journey throughout the story, Odysseus shoes responsibility, loyalty, and wisdom, which are all traits that makes him a hero, One of the traits that he demonstrates is responsibility with being a hero.
1. One of the traits of an epic hero is that they are just ordinary people who overcome great challenges. Ody is not a god or a demi-god, but throughout the book he does things that no mortal man could do. He travels to the underworld and walks out alive, and he also is the only man who has listened to the songs of the Sirens and lived to tell it. On his journey he encounters many difficult tasks.
What makes a hero to you? Is it being brave, strong, bold, or even saving the world? Well, according to Joseph Cambell,” The moral objection (of heroism) is that of saving people, or person, or idea...sacrificing…for…. Something,” (Marlantes 3). In the story the Odyssey, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, shows all the characteristics of being a hero.
The poem, The Odyssey, has held up as a monument of literature throughout the ages, and for reason. It is an exciting story about the adventures of Odysseus, an intelligent, cunning, at times manipulative, sailor who defeats the city of Troy. After some decade long twists and turns, he returns home, disguised, kills a few dozen people who have been eating his food and drinking his wine. After it seems like the cycle of violence will never stop, Athena comes down and restores peace.
In the epic tale The Odyssey by Homer, we are introduced to Odysseus, King of Ithaca. Odysseus is on a journey to get back to his wife and son. Throughout his journey, he runs into many challenges that attempt to stop him from getting reaching his destination. We learn about many of his traits as we travel with him on his journey. When he finally reaches home all of his traits become clear: his strength, arrogance, wit, charm, and courage.
It is tragic how some people need something unfortunate to happen to them so that they can finally listen. In the tragedy, Antigone, by Sophocles, The tragic hero, Creon, discovers that to be successful he must take into consideration what others have to say. Creon has to undergo some challenges to realize that his pride was getting the best of him. In the beginning, Creon was to prideful. He did not listen to anyone, even when someone tried to warn him or give him advice.
But you disgrace a state, that deserved better --- / Your own ---- by your own act;" (The Theban Plays, 89). Theseus is acknowledging that it is a religious act to provide refuge for those in need. The god of all gods, Zeus, has the epithet God of Guests which shows the importance of refuge. For Creon to take Oedipus and go against this religious act is hubris to the tenth degree. There is no more direct correlation of defiance to take a person that is under refuge not just of Theseus but of the gods and uproot him.
Valor, confidence, always emerges victorious, astute, gods who meddle in the life, loyal, strong. All signs of an epic hero. Was Odysseus a hero? I believe so. Odysseus portrays many of these traits in the Odyssey.
Perseus vs Theseus The great act of heroism and bravery plays a significant role in the ancient Greek myths, the greatest of these depictions are shown with Perseus, not Theseus. Perseus was the demigod son of the Lord of Olympus, Zeus and Danae, daughter of King Acrisius. Perseus is most well known for his noble deeds, like saving a stranded maiden from an impending death and slaying the mortal gorgon medusa for king Polydectes. Theseus, on the other hand, is the son of the great Earthshaker Poseidon and Aethra, daughter of King Pittheus.
To start, Odysseus shows traits of being an epic hero because he is a vast traveler, a great warrior, a national hero, faces supernatural foes, receives supernatural help, and lastly is capable of deeds of great strength and courage. To add on, Odysseus is a vast traveler because he has traveled to lots of different islands such as, Troy for the Trojan war, Kalypso’s island, Cyclops island, the Lotus Eater island, Circe’s home, the underworld, and many more. He shows bravery and courage when going to the underworld to help is crew turn back from pigs into humans. “The Odyssey” points out that, “Odysseus rushes to save his men from the enchantress” (Homer 15). Moreover, it was said that Odysseus went to Circe’s home to rescue his crew but Circe wouldn’t give his crew back unless he went to the underworld for a prophecy, which Odysseus did because he did not want to leave his crew behind if he could save them.
Heracles felt his skin burning with jealousy”. This proves that neither Atlas nor Hercules liked carrying the sky in either passage. Because of this, both characters have tension about taking back the world, which causes Atlas to keep the weight on Hercules’ back. This develops the theme of treating others how people should treat you from the nerves both characters have. In conclusion, the idea of treating others how people should treat you is developed with the
From this, Telemachus understands that sacrifice is important. He hears why it is important from Menelaus, who was detained in Egypt on account of not having “offered Zeus and the other gods handsome sacrifice.” then embarking. Many Achaeans on their journey home from Troy were held back or perished as a result of lack of respect for the gods. Telemachus learns that the gods will help those in need, as long as they provide proper sacrifices and show respect for the
Hercules, after completing these acts, was sent into another fit of rage by Hera. This resulted in the murder of a house guest who was at Hercules’ estate, leading Hercules to seek atonement for his crime from the oracle once more. This time, however, the oracle refused to speak with Hercules or give him guidance on how to right the wrongs he has done. Hercules, who became enraged, started to destroy the temple and stole the sacred stool the oracle sat on, and refused to return it until the oracle agreed to help him. This
A lot of the heroes in Greek Mythology were extraordinary people back in their day because of certain traits they possessed. But would they still be considered heroes today if they were still alive? I believe that the heroes of ancient Greek times held traits that, if in our society today, would be extremely frowned upon. But, few heroes have traits that would be positive in today’s world. The three heroes that are being evaluated are Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus.