Similarities Between Theseus And The Lightning Thief

In this essay I’m writing about Theseus and the Minotaur and The Lightning Thief. Theseus and the Minotaur is about when Theseus discovers that people of Athens are being given to the minotaur. Theseus slays the minotaur, and restores peace in Athens after sailing home safely, but then finds out his dad killed himself. What The Lightning Thief and Theseus and the Minotaur have in common is, both main characters take big risks even though they are dangerous. Even though The Lighting Thief and Theseus have different outcomes, they both show that taking risks can be dangerous, but it’s worth the risk if it’s for a good cause.

The myth Theseus and the Minotaur’s thematic statement is, taking risks can be unknown and the outcome can be mysterious,

but if it’s for a good cause, it’s worth the risk. Theseus goes on the trip to fight the Minotaur. “Let the people of Athens this year draw slots for only six young men, instead of seven. I will myself be the seventh; and let the Minotaur devour me if he can.” Quote from Theseus and the Minotaur. This fits with the thematic statement because this is a big risk, and Theseus doesn't know how it will end. Another example would be when Theseus trusts that Ariadne’s silken string will work, and not break while he is in the labyrinth. This is a big risk because, Theseus doesn’t know if the the silken string will work or if it’s even a trap, but if it works then it will lead him out of the labyrinth safely so he decides to take the risk and trusts Adriane. One more example would be when Theseus goes to fight the Minotaur all on his own in the labyrinth. Theseus does not know what will happen to him when he goes into the labyrinth, but if he does kill the minotaur then the people of Athens will not have to be eaten by the Minotaur ever again. He takes this risk even though the outcome is unknown, because it’s for a good cause.

The Lightning Thief’s thematic statement seems to say about the theme is that sometimes you just gotta do what is best even if you’re afraid or it is dangerous.

For instance when Percy jumps off the gateway arch. “Father, help me, I prayed. I turned and jumped. My clothes on fire, poison coursing through my veins, I plummeted toward the river. -Lightning Theif page 211. This shows Percy taking a risk that his dad will save him from the venom, this is his only option to live and not die. Another example is when Percy and his friends go into the underworld, where no one has ever come back alive. This is a big risk, because no one has ever came back from the underworld so the percentages that Percy and his friends will come back alive is slim, but it’s the only way he can save his mom. Instead of saving his mom, Percy uses the three pearls on him and his friends. “I turned and faced my mother. I desperately wanted to sacrifice myself and use the last pearl on her, but I knew what she would say. She would never allow it. I had to get the bolt back to Olympus and tell Zeus the truth. I had to stop the war.” - The Lightning Thief. The last example supports my thematic statement because, even though it’s a big risk, Percy knows his mom would tell him to save himself and that it will all turn out ok in the

end.

In conclusion, even though the Lighting Thief and Theseus have different outcomes, they both show that taking risks can be dangerous, but it’s worth the risk if it’s for a good cause. In the myth of Theseus and the minotaur, Theseus takes a risk and defeats the minotaur and returns safely. In the Lightning Thief Percy returns the lightning bolt back to Zeus, and in the end saves his mother, and restores peace between the gods. Greek mythology is still around us today, because it interests us and relates to our everyday lives for example how taking risks can be unknown and dangerous relates to us and the Greeks.