The Story of Theseus in Greek Mythology - Term Paper Example

Theseus Introduction The story of Theseus in Greek mythology has captured the imagination of many, mostly because it is laden with various accounts of heroism and valor. These myths have created a gallant and heroic figure which has managed to transcend all other myths. This paper shall discuss the story of Theseus by presenting an evaluation of the kind of ‘hero’ he is supposed to be. It shall discuss both the good points and the bad points of his character and his activities. This paper shall assess whether or not it is necessary to be a ‘good person’ to be a Greek hero and whether or not a hero is supposed to be socially responsible. Discussion Based on his genealogy, Theseus may be classified as a demigod. Aegeus, the King of Athens, unable to bear any children was later secretly married to Aethra and of this marriage, Theseus was born. Theseus was however raised by her mother and would later claim his birthright after going through various challenges and battles. Based on his actions, he may however be considered an epic or a journeying hero (Myths Encyclopedia “Go-Hi”). Epic or journeying heroes are heroes who are on quests and who go through various heroic battles and journeys. In fact, Greek mythology is riddled with heroes of this type, and Theseus is certainly one of them. He was on his way to claim his birthright when along the way he fought many battles; many of those he battled were actually considered ‘bad’ guys in the contemporary sense. He killed Sinis, the Pine Bender who tore his victims apart by tying them between two pine trees; he killed Sciron who had a habit of kicking his guests to sea while they were washing his feet; he also killed Cercyon, who was known for wrestling with strangers; and he battled many other foes on his way to Athens and these enemies were often known for their foul deeds towards other people (Britannica Encyclopedia “History and Society”). Theseus possessed many good points in his favor. First and foremost, in order to be a worthy king, or at the very least, a worthy heir to a kingdom, he knew that he had to prove himself worthy. He could have taken a safer route to Athens as advised by his grandfather Pittheus, however, he chose to use the more dangerous road (Godwin, p. 255). In the process, he left his mother’s and grandfather’s kingdom a boy, and he arrived in Athens a man. He gave himself enough battle experience and enough physical and mental cunning in order to claim his rightful place amidst the various threats and claims to his father’s throne. Upon his arrival in Athens, his experience as a warrior even allowed him to detect his stepmother’s deceit (Godwin, p. 255). Like Perseus, he too grew up without his father. Perseus and Theseus both proved their worth and their strength as heroes many times over through their battles; at one point, they even rescued their princesses from dark powers (Booker, pp. 276-277). Such similarities, as brave warriors, are seen in the heroic deeds of other Greek mythological heroes like Achilles, Jason, and Heracles. Like these heroes, Theseus also showed great strength and skill in battle. This is what made him stand out at a very early age, and what prompted his mother Aethra to reveal to him his noble heritage (Godwin, p. 252). This strength and skill helped him lift the rock which hid symbols and evidence of his heritage; it allowed him to survive many battles; it also allowed him to kill the Minotaur; and it eventually allowed him to rightfully claim his place as his father’s heir while keeping his greedy cousins at bay (Warner, pp. 24-27). At the very core of his character, Theseus is a very honorable man as he always fought on the side of what was right and what was noble, even at great cost to his life. However, as a hero, he also possessed tragic element to his character, and this element can largely be attributed to his ‘bad’ qualities. Theseus had an unfortunate habit of forgetting. This unfortunate habit actually proved fatal to his father when Theseus forgot to unfurl the white flag which would have signaled his victorious return from battle (Godwin, p. 255). When his father saw the black flags waving on his son’s returning ship, he mistakenly thought his son had perished in the battle and, overcome with grief, he hurled himself from the top of a turret and into the sea (Godwin, p. 255). He can also be labeled as ungrateful when he abandoned Ariadne in an island, even after the latter helped him defeat the Minotaur (Garland, p. 204). Theseus also had an unhealthy appetite for women; he was renowned for his amorous affairs. The consequences of these affairs often proved to be unfortunate and disastrous. His abduction of the Amazon Antiope prompted the Amazons to invade Attica (Warner, p. 28). He, along with Peirithoos abducted Helen and Persephone. Their abduction of Persephone however did not go well, as Hades planted and glued them to their seats. Although Herakles later rescued Theseus, Peirithoos was not as lucky (Warner, p. 28). These events demonstrate how Theseus was in so many ways an anti-hero – forgetful, philanderer, and attributed with various failings and proclivities. However, despite his failings, he was still revered by his people and by anyone else regaled with his heroic exploits. The myth of Theseus seems to demonstrate that one does not have to be a ‘good person’ to be a Greek hero. The most definitive proof to Theseus’ status as a good person and as a hero is the honor he received after his death. At the end of his reign, when his kingdom was being contested and when he lost the favor of his people, he retired to the court of King Lycomedes (Bulfinch, p. 196). Lycomedes later betrayed him by pushing him to his death off of a cliff. His bones were however retrieved and he was laid to rest in his beloved Athens. Despite his failings as a ruler, in the end, all of these did not matter to his people, who saw beyond his erroneous ways. He became a symbolic figure for his political strength and for the democracy that was allowed to reign over Athens during his time (Warner, p. 28). Being a good person is not a requisite to being a Greek hero. Achilles, Jason, Perseus, and yes, even Theseus had their bad qualities. These often led to various tragic and unfortunate events in their lives, however, these events and circumstances did not diminish their heroic acts (Garland, p. 204). However, the moral obligation for the Greek hero to also be a good person is an important requirement in the eyes of the people, more so because the appeal of heroism depends on the people being able to identify themselves to the hero, “with the righteous lone individual who is vulnerable to the forces of the dangerous Other” (Mills, p. 53). This is very much similar to the underdog scenario, or to the hero who can fight for them against all odds. A hero is supposed to be socially responsible. Within and even beyond Greek mythology, a hero is supposed to be accountable to the people for his actions. The hero is supposed to be lauded for his heroic deeds, however this cannot excuse him for his un-heroic, immoral, and even illegal deeds. Theseus lost favor among his people for his actions during the last years of his reign; many of his people also did not approve of his actions towards Ariadne; and most of them certainly did not approve of his amorous tendencies that put them in grave danger at one point. The demand for social responsibility for a hero’s actions is very much related to such hero being a champion for the people and for their rights (Mills, p. 53). Theseus is a typical Greek hero – strong, cunning, and even anointed with certain god-like qualities owing to his noble genealogy. He proved himself a worthy heir to his father’s kingdom by fighting many battles and felling many foes. He also endeared himself to his people through his strong and fair political rule. However, he also possessed unfortunate qualities which have cost his life and his kingdom dearly. Still, the life he lived and the deeds he accomplished were already enough to install him as a great hero to his people, and in a way, immortalized in Greek mythology, he remains such to this very day. Works Cited Booker, C. “The seven basic plots: why we tell stories”. p. 277. 2004. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group New York Bulfinch, T. “Bulfinchs mythology: the age of fable; The age of chivalry; Legends of Charlemagne”. p. 196. 1913. London: Biblo and Tanned Publishing Garland, R. “Daily life of the Ancient Greeks”. p. 1998. Connecticut: Greenwood Publishing Godwin, W. “The Pantheon, or, Ancient history of the gods of Greece and Rome: for the use of schools and young persons of both sexes”. p. 252-255. 1814. London: B. McMillan “Heroes”. Go-Hi. 2009. Myths Encyclopedia. 13 December 2009 http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Go-Hi/Heroes.html Mills, S. “Theseus, Tragedy, and the Athenian Empire”. p. 53. 1997. New York: Oxford University Press. “Theseus”. History and Society. 2009. Encyclopedia Britannica. 13 December 2009 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/591825/Theseus Warner, M. “World of myths, Volume 2”. p. 28. 2003. Texas: University of Texas Press Read More