"Nothing Without Theseus?"
How does Theseus fit into the "heroic equation" with Jason and Perseus? Should he even be considered a hero? Entertain comparisons between the three and use the text to support your claims.
posted by Greg T @ 7:52 PM
14 Comments
14 Comments:
His quest is probably the most heroic of all three. He is actually searching for something meaningful that can play a big part in his life. Jason and Perseus are in it all for the fame and glory of being a hero, but in my eyes, Theseus is the more real hero. The search for his father is very commendable and can be applied to all areas of his life, bettering himself as a person. Clearly Theseus is the most heroic of the three so-called "heroes."
In my opinion theseus was the best hero out of the three. he took many quests such as killing the minotaur, killing bandits on his way to find his father, kidnaping helen,taking an amazon warrior for his wife, waging war on thebes, and going to the underworld to help his friend steal hades's wife. also he relied on himself to kill monsters people and wage wars. last he always did what was right weather it was sticking by hercules when he had gone insane or going to war so the tribes could bury thier dead. theseus did what was just and got the ladies in the mean time so that makes him the deffinition of a hero
I agree that Theseus is the most heroic out of the bunch because he is not going in to his battles with the sole purpose of gloryfying himself; he's also doing it to save many lives. In comparison to Jason and Perseus, Theseus did want a name; "His idea was to become a great hero as quickly as possible, and easy safety was certainly not the way to do that." (210) Theseus wanted to be a greater hero than his cusin Hercules, and he went on to do that. There is a saying that supports this statment, "Nothing without Theseus" (209) What separates THeseus from the rest is, i believe, his selflessness. He voluntiers himself to go to the Labrynth where the Minotaur lives, and he chooses to go in first, he then frees all the people of Athens of this terrible sacrifice to this monster when he kills it. Of course like all heros he has a tragic flaw. At the end of the story, he exiles his on son, he did not listen, had no trust, and was unforgiving. Jason was also similar to this, after Medea helped him so much he droped her like a bad apple. He had no room or time in his life for her and his new wife. While Theseus did finally mess up in the end he was still thought of as the greatest hero of all time.
I also believe that Theseus was the more heroic of the three. He was a man who was looking for glory, "His idea was to become a great hero as quickly as possible". His adventures were much like that of the other two heros but Theseus was also a good man. He did many things in his life to help others and even though adventure was in the back of his mind he still was helpful. He comforted Hercules when everyone else scorned him. Also Theseus was commpasionate. When Pirithous stole his cattle and was going to fight Theseus shows mercy and only asks as punishment that they be friends. Theseus was that the greatest hero we have read about so far because he went on great advetures and he was also a great king of Athens.
I also believe that Theseus is the most heroic of the three. He has a purpose in all of his adventures and they usually benefit others. He is a merciful hero who only kills when someone or something is a danger to people. Thesues, like Purseus, goes out on a quest to save others, although Theseus does so more often. Unfortunately though, like Jason, he uses a girl who loves him for his own benefit and then discards her. Also, like both Perseus and Jason, Theseus first set out to make himself a hero. However, Theseus's version of a hero was much more honorable than Perseus or Jason's. He chose to put himself in danger to help others, "At once Theseus came foward and offered to be one of the victims." (212). Theseus had many feats in his time. He set out to find his father, killed terrible bandits, killed the Minotaur, married and Amazon women, sailed on the Argo, was a part of the Calydonian Hunt, kindnapped Helen of Troy, and ventured to the underworld to kidnapp Persephone. Theseus had the most adventures of the three heroes and is therefore, to me, the most heroic of them all.
According to the heroic code I would say that Jason is the most heroic but in todays society I belive that most people would say that theseus is more heroic. Because his "trials or quests" were to write wrongs and help the helpless. So it depends on when you are asking this question. You will most likely get a different answer per time period. Because the ideals that make a heroe have changed.
Like everyone else, i think that Theseus was the most heroic of the three heroes. I also think that even though he was going on a quest for himself, he still did good for the people of the town as well, like killing all the monsters on the road. Theseus reminds me of Perseus because they were both unselfish heroes. Theseus killed the minotaur and then lead all the people out of the labyrinth. Perseus went and turned all the "official" men into stone, freed his mom, and then did good for the people of the town. Jason fit the qualities of a hero, but I think it's the heart that also determines whether someone is a hero or not.
Theseus is just as heroic as Jason or Perseus becasue he had many adventures against many monsters like the Minotaur who was a bull/man, he also went against the killing badits on the quest to find his father. Next he also goes to the underworld to help his friend. Last he tells Hercules that "not to kill himself because if he did it would be a coward's act" pg(217) and that wouldn't be heroic at all.
Theseus is the most heroic of the three. He refuses the easy path and works to become a great hero. He helps those along the way and he does many great things. By killing the minotaur he saved the lives of many and by killing the bandits he did the same. Because he made life better for his people he is the most heroic of the three.
I think that out of all three Theseus was the most herioc. He did many things that qualified him as a hero. He helped many people, and slayed many more beasts than the other two. All though in my mind none of them would be perfect heros I think Theseus is as close as it gets.
Whether it's a cultural difference of opinion or a personal outlook on the ethics of the "heroic equation", I think those who should be included in the realm of heroes should maintain a respectable reverence for the "divine romance." Theseus fulfills his promise to Ariadne, regardless of unfortunate events, and Perseus honors his relationship with Andromeda. Jason on the other hand, dishonors Medea and her loyalty entirely. Whether her being forsaken is testimony to the clumsy hands of the gods or the Greeks’ view of the unreliability of love, Jason gives testimony to his true character beyond the brawn and the arrogance. Theseus fulfills the criteria for the Heroic Code, through his courage; "Theseus refused to go by water, because the voyage was safe and easy." Also by his pursuing of excellence with a heart for justice does he make a place for himself among heroes. What intrigues me about Perseus and Theseus is there ability to act out in extraordinary ways but, also have the humility to meddle in true romance.
I agree that Theseus was the most heroic out of Jason, Perseus, and himself. Theseus wanted to be a hero for many reasons other than personal glory - he wished to good deeds for other and to rid the world of evil. Thesues' heroic deeds often benefited many people. "The journey was long and very hazardous because of the bandits that beset the road. He killed them all, however; he left not one alive to trouble future travelers" (210). Theseus was trying to make the world better, but still getting some recognition for his efforts.
Theseus was adored by many people, the people of Athens even had a saying "Nothing without Theseus" (209). He volunteered to go into the Labriynth of the Minotaur to battle the fearsome creature, even though he knew it was of great risk to himself. He even was a true friend. "He received the aged Oedipus whom everyone else had cast out. He was with him when he died, sustaining and comforting him. He protected his two helpless daughters and sent them safely home after their father's death" (217).
Jason and Perseus did good deeds, yet Theseus was the most heroic out of the three because of his loyalty, bravery, and caring nature.
I think that Theseus was a great hero but no better than Perseus or Jason. It seems as though he wants the fame and glory as much if not more than the other two. This is made clear from the very begining when he leaves on his conquest to meet his father. However I still do think he is one of the best hereos we have seen so far.
I think that Theseus was the most heroic of the three because he was looking for his father and not out to get glory or fame. He, in his search, helped others by slaying the minotar who would have devoured the innocent as dinner. He might have been a little forgetful but I dont think that should be counted against him because to me, he was an overall great guy and a great hero.
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