Theseus Or Hercules? :: essays research papers

Theseus or Hercules?     Theseus is most worthy of emulation. He was a great hero in Athens."Theseus was, of course withstandst of the brave as all heroes are, but unlike theother heroes he was as compassionate as he was brave." (p. 159). Theseus toowas a man of bravery, disposition and material strength. Hercules on the other handwas what all Greece except Athens most admired. He was very strong but wasnttoo smart. Hercules never theme of the consequences that his actions would land about before he followed through with them.     First, Theseus was very strong. He fought some(prenominal) terrible horrendousmonsters such as the Minotaur, "..a monster, half bull, half human.." (p.151),and went on many great ventures such as the Quest for the Golden Fleece. Theseusshowed his great strength in adventures such as the one with the Minotaur.Hercules was also involved in many great adventures in which his great strengthwas shown . Hercules was much stronger than Theseus, but Theseus made up forthis small loss in other ways.     Second, Theseus was very smart. Because of his great intellect theAthenians, people who valued thought and ideas, chose him and not Hercules astheir hero. Theseus escaped from the Labyrinth and killed the Minotaur. Neitherof these tasks were easy and required someone with aptitude unlike Hercules.Theseus always thought things through and made good decisions. Herculesfoolishness was shown on many occasions such as when he killed his family andhis music teacher. Theseus intellect is one very worth(predicate) quality which makeshim more worthy of emulation.     Third, Theseus was very brave. In fact he went on so many greatexcursions that a saying grew up in Athens "Nothing without Theseus" (p. 149).When it was time for Theseus to seek his father he would not go by water " ButTheseus refused to go by water because the sail was safe a nd easy." (p. 149).Theseus insisted to take the way by land. His idea was to become a hero asquickly as possible, and he accomplished his goal by ridding the land of all thebanns to travelers on his way to find his father. Theseus had many otheradventures. He was on the Argo, in the Caledonian hunt, as well as many others.Hercules also had many adventures but his were often the result of his own