Hamilton Vs Theseus Research Paper

In many stories, it is obvious that some heroes face more difficult challenges than others. In the book “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton, Odysseus has a more difficult time being the hero than Theseus. Although Theseus and Odysseus have difficult time being the hero, Theseus practically displays the life of a hero as somewhat simple. During the myths “Theseus” and “The Adventures of Odysseus”, the protagonists show that the life of a hero is difficult because one must be determined and never give up. Theseus and Odysseus also demonstrate that to be a hero, one must be willing to risk everything. In the book “Mythology”, Edith Hamilton proves that it is difficult to be a hero. In the myth “Theseus”, it shows that in certain sections scenes
that it is easy to be a hero. Theseus volunteers to slay the Minotaur which is a monster half bull, half human.
“At once Theseus came forward and offered to be one of the victims. All loved him for his goodness and admired him for his nobility, but they had no idea that he intended to try and kill the Minotaur” (Hamilton 206-207). Theseus demonstrates that he is a hero by telling the people that he is going to slay the Minotaur. This is ironic because the people think that Theseus is not going to kill the Minotaur but actually Theseus intends to do so. Theseus shows that it is simple to be a hero because in his situation, one may think that he announces that he will be one of the fourteen volunteers and expresses that to be a hero, you must have people to believe in you. Similarly, Theseus makes a terrible decision causing his love to depart. There are two stories which explain how Ariadne is missing or mourning. “One story says Theseus deserted Ariadne. She was asleep and he sailed away without, but Dionysus found her and comforted her. The second story is much more favorable to Theseus. She was extremely sea sick and he set her ashore to recover while he returned to the ship do some necessary work. A violent wind carried him out to sea ad and kept him there a long time” (Hamilton 208). In the second story it says that
the story is more favorable to Theseus and this portrays the fact that once you prove that you are a hero then you can make choices that define you. In these stories, there is some irony because since Theseus is seen as a hero, he could chose the which story is true. Theseus would chose the second story because he would not want others to think that he is not worthy of being a hero and one would think that he would chose the second story because he has too much to lose. This is an example which explains that one must make their decision reflect on themselves positively even if it means lying. However Theseus proves that to be a hero it is difficult and you need determination. In the myths “Theseus” and “The Adventures of Odysseus”, the protagonists persevere to become great heroes. Hercules inspires Theseus to be a great hero as a child and to persevere. “His idea was to become a great hero as quick as possible. Hercules, who was the most magnificent of all the heroes in Greece, was always in mind, and determination to be just as magnificent himself” (Hamilton 204). This section shows that Theseus becomes a hero through hard work and determination just as Hercules does. This is important because it says that to be a hero you must have determination and set high goals. The determination of Theseus relates to Odysseus’ perseverance. Odysseus is determined to be a hero for his family and to get home safely. “But Odysseus was utterly wretched. He longed for his home, his wife, his son” (Hamilton 286). Odysseus is striving to get home to his family through his strong determination because he has not seen them for twenty years. The imagery shown in this quote expresses that Odysseus is near death fighting for his life and he must not give up. This is significant because it shows that if one perseveres then they could accomplish anything even if it is beyond difficult. Although perseverance is critical to be a hero one must do more to be a true hero. To be a great hero, one must put their life on the line and Theseus and Odysseus do exactly that. Theseus fights the Minotaur in the labyrinth so he could prove his physical strength as a hero. “He came upon him, asleep and fell upon him pinning him to the ground; and with his fists, he had no other weapon- he battered the Minotaur to death” (Hamilton 207). Theseus fought the Minotaur selflessly so that he could relieve the people of this threat. There is visual imagery because it describes the suffering of Theseus and how hard he fights to survive. Heroes need to risk their lives for the greater good similarly to Odysseus. Odysseus fights a Cyclops during one of many battles through his twenty years away from his family. “He swore Odysseus should reach his own home country again after long misery and when he had lost all his men” (Hamilton 295). Poseidon says this because he wants Odysseus to have a way back to his home but he must earn it and in doing so he becomes a great hero. There is visual imagery because it expresses that he must go through misery and lose all his crew members. This is important because it demonstrated that one must be not only physically ready, but they must be mentally and emotionally ready also one must not fear death. It is extremely challenging to be a hero due to near impossible tasks that one must face. Sometimes people only want to be seen as a hero because they are not worthy enough. Although Theseus had an easier go at being a hero, both characters, Theseus and Odysseus persevere to be memorable hero. In conclusion, being the hero is very difficult but Odysseus proves more effectively that it is difficult to be a hero. Great heroes form when one is willing to risk their life for the greater good similarly to Theseus and Odysseus.