Hercules

705 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Overview of greek mythology

Greek mythology has many different traditions and the culture was very influential to Today’s Society. We see many examples in modern culture that are a result of Greek culture, such as the Olympics in honor of Zeus. Mythology had many traditions and each god has a specific job and relates to modern day. Greek mythology is the time of crazy creatures and heroic tales of gods. The gods were basically in charge and looked up to as celebrities are today. One god in particular, Zeus, was considered to be the boss over all others and he and a mortal woman had a son named, Hercules. Hercules was most known for his strength, as well as his success in completing the almost impossible 12 tasks given to him by the ever powerful Apollo. He completed the tasks with the help of Hermes and Athena. He served as a sense of protection for the people, without him many people would have died. Although Hercules in Todays culture is portrayed as a strong, fearless hero, he was also a troubled, anger-driven person which sometimes came back to haunt him. Greek culture and religion are very different compared to modern day. In Greek culture, many rituals were performed and sometimes on alters. Many people of this time looked up to the gods and put them on pedestals. In today’s culture, aspects of Hercules and other mythological character are very evident. Modern Society has somewhat changed the story of Hercules. They glorified him as a ladies man with big muscles. Hercules was all that but he also had a very bad temper, which shows in many examples of sacrificial prayer. (Stewart,22). Hercules was a big time character and everyone looked up to him because of his strength and position in Greek culture. He had many influences and left a distinct imp... ... middle of paper ... ...ngs and was almost like the overseer. Modern Culture can apply and learn from the mistakes and successes of Hercules. Along with many myths, there are lessons we can earn from. Everyone can learn to control out anger. Today’s Society should also control our anger and challenge ourselves. People can learn to prove our endurances and push ourselves. Works Cited Harris, Nathaniel. History of Ancient Greece. London: Hamlyn, 2000. Print. "Hercules." Hercules. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. "Hercules (or Heracles)." Hercules (or Heracles). N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. Smith, Evans Lansing, and Nathan Robert. Brown. The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology. Indianapolis, IN: Alpha, 2008. Print. Wilkinson, Philip, and Neil Philip. Illustrated Dictionary of Mythology: Heroes, Heroines, Gods, and Goddesses from around the World. New York: DK Pub., 1998. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Epic Heroes: Characteristics Of An Epic Hero

    1353 Words  | 3 Pages

    Greek mythology is a beloved part of literature that has given humans thousands of stories to tell. From stories about deadly quests, powerful deities, to the even more famed aspect of Greek Mythology, its epic heroes. One of the many authors who took inspiration from Greek Mythology, and will serve as reference for this paper, is Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. 1988. The most well known epic heroes from Greek Mythology which Edith Hamilton writes about in her book are Hercules, Jason, Perseus, and Theseus, but the debate lies in which of these heroes is the best. To which the answer is, Theseus is the better epic hero because he possessed superior strength, intelligence, and courage, he was the most just from all other heroes,

    Read More

  • Disney And Heracles Comparison Essay

    592 Words  | 2 Pages

    With his strength in the Disney version he was an outcast. Everybody saw Hercules as a freak because he was stronger than everyone which scared them, but in the myth his strength was very helpful and beneficial because it brought him to be a part of the Argonauts with Jason and every saw him as a great person. With Hercules being a Demi-God in the Disney and Greek myth it helps him when he does his labors and helps him when he is saving people.

    Read More

  • Hercules Mythology

    898 Words  | 2 Pages

    * Life was never easy for him. His stepmother wanted to make him miserable as punishment of her husband’s infidelity”. (paraphrased)

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite

    2587 Words  | 6 Pages

    Mythology was very important to the men and women of ancient Greece. They worshipped the gods and goddesses, wrote poems about them, and based a great deal of art work off of them. The people of Greece looked to the gods and goddesses for help in all aspects of their lives; including health, agriculture, and war. Reading about Greek mythology can inform people about the society of Greece because the Greek gods were created by the people of Greece. Three main goddesses who were worshipped by the Greeks were Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.

    Read More

  • Hercules: A Greek Tale

    1024 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hercules, or known in Latin as Heracles, was the greatest of the Greek heroes, a paragon of masculinity. In art Hercules was portrayed as a powerful, muscular man wearing lion's skin and armed with a huge club. He was also described as being a macho man buffoon, who was very impulsive. Hercules’ home and birthing place is in Thebes, Greece. Thebes is a city in central Greece. It plays as an important setting in many Greek myths, such as the stories of Cadmus, Oedipus, Dionysus and many other important roles in Greek Mythology. The demigod, Hercules has an interesting origin, he is most famous for his 12 labors, and leaves a legacy in words and expressions.

    Read More

  • Hercules Labours Analysis

    1232 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hercules was a hero known for his strength and courage and for his legendary adventures. But there is much more to him. He was the son of the god Zeus and a human mother Alcmene, which is a huge thing because he was supernatural to tall others around him. He was a demi-god. He was wife was called Amphitryon. Hera was jealous of the human mother and decided to try and kill Hercules by putting two poisonous snakes in his c...

    Read More

  • The Parallels of Jesus and Hercules

    1189 Words  | 3 Pages

    Myths and religious doctrine are generally recognized as two entirely different things. Myths are usually referred to as a fictitious story or a half-truth; often they are stories shared between groups of people that are part of a cultural society. Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, and purpose of the universe, and often containing an ethical code dictating appropriate human conduct. Although they differ in certain aspects, they still hold similarities. Comparable to parables within the Bible, myths have different versions which are both motivating, as well as entertaining. There are not only parallels to the idea of the stories but specific tales hold similar morals and equivalent characters.

    Read More

  • The Greek Hero Defined

    779 Words  | 2 Pages

    The final battle a Greek hero must conquer is appeasing the Gods and returning home alive and victorious. Different from a modern hero who has to appease no one and becomes a sort of god him or herself, the Greek hero has many more consequences if he or she does not succeed. This distinction shows how the Greeks felt obliged to honor their gods in order to live a trouble free life and how modern people see their heroes as gods instead of humans.

    Read More

  • Greek Hero Characteristics

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    All the heroes you can count, Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Theseus, Hercules, Achilles, etc. all have heroic qualities that you love. Are you thinking of any fascinating Greek mythology heroes? Being a hero is someone that is being recognized and admired by a group of people. Superheroes each have their different missions and quests to complete that amazes the audience. Greek cultures include a variety of qualities of a hero that is the basic qualities of being an admirable hero. The Greek stories Theseus and Hercules reflect the most important qualities a Greek Hero should have. Through these two thrilling stories, the qualities of intelligence and courage stand out to be the most important Greek qualities.

    Read More

  • Finding Hercules in Much Ado About Nothing

    728 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers of all time, uses Hercules as a persona of excellence throughout his play, "Much Ado About Nothing".  Hercules, in Greek mythology, is a hero known for his strength, courage and legendary adventures.  This gives the impression that Shakespeare liked the tales of Hercules.

    Read More

  • Hercules Epic Hero Essay

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Everyone knows the famous Herakles also known as Hercules the hero. I believe Hercules is a great hero for many reasons. Let me sum up his history, Hercules is the son of Zeus and Alcmene. However, Zeus has a wife named Hera & he cheated on her with Alcmene who got pregnant with his baby. So Hera found out & was very angry, she vowed to make Hercules life dreadful since she couldn't make Zeus's life horrid. Hercules that married a beautiful woman of the name Megara they had two children, Hera took advantage of that & sent him a fit of rage in which he murdered his wife & children. He wanted forgiveness from Apollo to get rid of his pollution. Apollo told him to do 12 request for 12 years I which he will assist an

    Read More

  • Hercules

    664 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hercules the great hero and the son of the great god Zeus, was the most famous of all the Greek mythological heroes. Hercules was known for his strength, bravery, and adventuresome personality. Hercules like most heroes had a god as their father, and he had a mortal mother named Alcmene. Hercules like most heroes was not an ordinary mortal and a good example was his superhuman strength.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Jason And Hercules

    773 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Greek mythology, the children of the gods are heroes known for their dedication and their accomplishments. Hercules and Jason are two very well known heroes in Greek mythology. There are many similarities between them because they both show great strength and courage; however, they are different by their accomplishments and life ending.

    Read More

  • Differences And Similarities Between The Legend Of Heracles Vs. Hercules

    903 Words  | 2 Pages

    The legend of Hercules has been told and retold thousands of times; it is by far one of the best known Greek myths of all time. In fact, it was so well known that Disney made it into a movie. Like any story that’s adapted into a movie there are some differences and similarities between the myth and the movie. This paper will go over the main differences and similarities between the two versions of the same myth.

    Read More

  • Greek Mythology: Zeus

    959 Words  | 2 Pages

    Zeus, his name is synonymous with Greek mythology and religion. God of the weather and sky he used his powers of wind, lightning, and thunder to uphold the law and keep order. He ruled Mount Olympus as well as the pantheon of gods who lived there. Watching over mankind he would punish those who defied him and help those who were wronged. However, Zeus did have his flaws. His quick tempered nature combined with his lust for women made him relatable to the common man. From his coming to power until the beginning of Christianity, this complex god would have no equal.

    Read More

More about Hercules

Open Document