FREE ESSAY ON GREEK HEROES

GREEK HEROES

The Irony of Being A Hero
Heroes played many roles in Greek mythology, where several people were tried and admired
in a variety of ways. The Greeks consider heroes as people who go on an extraordinary
journey, completing an impossible task, and being courageous. According to the Webster's
Dictionary, the definition of a hero is a man who is admired for his achievements and
qualities, but the definition varies in the perspective of different individuals. A hero
to one person may be a villain to another. The motifs of heroic myths in Greek Mythology
contain heroes that can be viewed as heroes or villains.
The mythological hero, Hercules has many human flaws that places doubt in one's mind as
to consider him a hero or villain. Hercules is talented and is given supernatural
strength, which he does not how to control. One day Hercules becomes filled with rage and
he assassinated his wife and children. A person may use this act against Hercules and
portray him as a villain. In order to expiate himself, he goes to an oracle, which
eventually sends him out to fulfill the "12 Labors". This act is another justification
for the belief of Hercules being a villain; he did the "12 Labors" for a pardon of his
act not really a trial to prove his "heroic qualities". Hercules is usually considered a
hero since he does complete the "12 Labors" that included some impossible tasks, like
destroying the Hydra. People may have also considered Hercules as heroic because of his
supernatural strength. He also may have been a role model to young lads in the Greek
times.
Jason is also a hero that may also be portrayed as a villain. Jason is a hero because he
captures the Golden Fleece. His heroic qualities are his dependency, arrogant attitude,
and patience. People consider him a hero because of the trials he went through in
capturing the Golden Fleece. Ironically he is a coward and a liar. Medea is one of the
witches that assists him in capturing the Golden Fleece, and he promises her that he
would marry her. Yet because of his ambitious ways he resisted in doing it. This flaw is
a reasonable argument for one to consider him a villain.
Atalanta may have been one of the most influential heroes of this time, even though she
is a female. Her father as a child rejected Atalanta since she was not born a male. Out
of vengeance she chooses and resists marrying and submitting to men. This stubbornness is
influential because it portrays that women can be independent. The beginning of women's
rights to be independent begins with Atalanta according to Greek Mythology. Women in that
period of time were treated as inferior to men. When Zeus places them into this world
they are meant to be evil. She is heroic to all of history. On the other hand, a person
who believes in misogyny may think of Atalanta as a threat. Misogynists are men who
basically hate women and believe they should submit to men. Since Atalanta did initiate
the thought of women being capable of being independent, they consider her as a villain.
The motifs of heroic myths in Greek Mythology contain heroes that can be considered as
heroes or villains. Many Greek people made the appearance of these heroes to be what they
wanted to be as role models. Looking back at these characters, people notice many flaws
in them that questions their stature as a heroes.