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Hero Vs. Perseus: The Ancient Greek Hero

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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. Theseus is most well known for traversing a path full of the harshest criminals, and slaying the mighty Minotaur. Both of these heroes have outstanding achievements, but one of them is braver than the other. The two points of comparison proving Perseus is braver than Theseus are Courage and Compassion. Perseus shows greater acts of courage proven by this quote, “I would even kill the horrible Gorgon Medusa in order to prove my loyalty and courage” (Myths …show more content…

This is depicted in this quote, “Perseus understood their anguish as they shared their daughter's terror” (Myths 206). But Theseus does not show any compassion whatsoever evident by this quote, “Theseus killed Pallas and the last of his sons” (Myths 251). The quote shows that Perseus is a man who understands the pain of others because he saw the anguish of Andromeda and her parents, and saved them from an impending death and shows he is willing to put himself at risk for the well being of others. This furthermore proves that Perseus is compassionate. Theseus, on the other hand, does not show any compassion when he slays his own uncle, Pallas and his 50 sons. It was his own family and he carried it out without showing any mercy. This is not compassion in any way possible, this is cold murder. Therefore I have proven why Perseus is compassionate and willing to risk himself for the well being of others, and why Theseus is

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Definition: A Greek hero is a person, usually a demigod, who has an unusual birth, when they reach adulthood claim a birthright, faces a great trial, defeats monsters, journeys to the underworld, becomes a king, and has lost the favor of their people or the gods. Thesis: Theseus is the truest Greek hero for he was born to Poseidon through possession of his father, he claimed sword and sandals while on the way to returning to his father's homeland of Athens, he faced six labors on his way to Athens, he defeated bandits and the Minotaur, he journeyed to the underworld with his friend to retrieve Persephone, He became king of Athens, and inevitably lost the favor of his

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Odysseus is not a hero because he stabs Polyphemus in the eye and blinds him. Odysseus is still a hero because he is a leader. Moreover, after Odysseus and his men fight the Cicones, he orders ¨Back and Quickly! Out to sea again!” (Homer 984).

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Theseus fits the image of a Greek hero because he was of royal birth, had a noble character, and performed extreme feats. To start, Theseus was the son of King Aegeus of Athens and Aethra, daughter of King Pittheus of Troezen, which made him royalty. While some people may say that being born royal does not make Theseus a hero considering he did not know he was of noble birth until he was a young man, he still claimed his heritage, eventually took over the kingdom, and was known as a great hero to many people. First, according to mythencyclopedia.com, King Aegeus consulted the

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On his way to King Aegeus’ palace he would have to travel through very hazardous roads. Theseus came across three bandits who were known for terrorizing the Greeks who traveled through there, “He killed them all, however, he left not one alive to trouble future travelers”(124). Greece was very happy after Theseus courageously cleared the land of these bandits. Soon after King Aegeus proclaimed Theseus as the heir to the throne; he already has an opportunity to endear himself with the Athenian's. Every nine years the Athenians had been forced to sacrifice fourteen youths to the Minotaur.

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