Hercules Research Paper
A demigod by definition is neither a god nor a man rather they exist somewhere between the two strict realms. Unlike some heroes throughout ancient myths and histories, Hercules was born mortal yet became immortal. Born of a human but created from a god, Hercules is the epitome of obscurity. Throughout his life, the contrasts of god and human make him strong yet weak. As a man he can be controlled and enslaved by both humans and gods (Loraux 131). Yet, his god-like aptitude of extreme strength and immunity to suffering (in that he does not give in to it) Hercules thrives until he is granted immortality through resurrection (Lopez-Ruiz 273). Even within Greek art, there is some confusion about the nature of Hercules: god or man or somewhere
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Historians agree that “it appears that the ancient world had settled on no common denominator for his true status” because of his ability to be both mortal and immortal at various times (Suhr 254). Hercules experienced pain and slavery in ways that other gods did not, such as with the case of Omphale or the king (Lopez-Ruiz). Even his parentage is questioned and up for debate, sometimes claiming him as the direct child of Hera and Zeus because of her feeding of him as a babe and the lack of malevolence towards Hercules when he finally is welcomed on Olympus (Loraux 131). This juxtaposition though seemingly unrelated to humanity as a whole, reflects humans’ divine characteristics over the earth, having the ability to destroy or save the planet along with the animals and other people who live. Like Hercules’, humans have been called gods throughout history for their varying abilities that other natural creatures fail to have. In presenting Hercules’ story as a inconsistency as a god and as a human, there is a scope placed on humanity that begs the question: what is a human and what is a god? The differences between the two though vast, seem small in comparison to the distances between animal and man or plants and animals. Hercules’ represents that humanity is qualified for divine and earthly
Historians agree that “it appears that the ancient world had settled on no common denominator for his true status” because of his ability to be both mortal and immortal at various times (Suhr 254). Hercules experienced pain and slavery in ways that other gods did not, such as with the case of Omphale or the king (Lopez-Ruiz). Even his parentage is questioned and up for debate, sometimes claiming him as the direct child of Hera and Zeus because of her feeding of him as a babe and the lack of malevolence towards Hercules when he finally is welcomed on Olympus (Loraux 131). This juxtaposition though seemingly unrelated to humanity as a whole, reflects humans’ divine characteristics over the earth, having the ability to destroy or save the planet along with the animals and other people who live. Like Hercules’, humans have been called gods throughout history for their varying abilities that other natural creatures fail to have. In presenting Hercules’ story as a inconsistency as a god and as a human, there is a scope placed on humanity that begs the question: what is a human and what is a god? The differences between the two though vast, seem small in comparison to the distances between animal and man or plants and animals. Hercules’ represents that humanity is qualified for divine and earthly