The Struggle of Hercules Between Virtue and Vice

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The Struggle of Hercules Between Virtue and Vice

The battle between good and evil, virtue and vice, although a prominent theme in any age, is a particularly relevant subject for the Renaissance. George Withers illustrates this battle in his 22nd emblem from A collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne, entitled 'When Vice and Vertue Youth shall wooe, Tis hard to say, which way t'will goe . . .' This emblem depicts the struggle of the mythological Hercules in a curious mixture of pagan and Christian symbols. Through the juxtaposition of these symbols, the age of the Renaissance is also exemplified.

The emblem shows Hercules centered in the illustration, wavering both physically and psychologically between Virtue and Vice. His body is physically uncentered; his feet are placed in front of one another, making his body seem to sway uncertainly. His arms, also, do not balance and signify the consequence of following either path. His left arm, on the side of Virtue, points to the heavens. His right arm, on the side of Vice, points lower, and his gaze is irresistibly drawn to that side. Although he does not choose Vice outright, through his body posture and facial expression his temptation is evident.

His dual impulses (motepon) towards either fate are paralleled by his curious parentage. Hercules was the son of Zeus, king of all the pagan gods, and Alcmene, a mortal woman. As a result, he lives between two ancestries, neither full god nor full man. In his youth, he was visited by two maidens who also represented Virtue and Vice. It can be inferred that it is from this myth that Withers illustrates his lesson.

The two figures on either side of Hercules seem to be exhorting him to listen, and can be used to illustrate th...

... middle of paper ...

... I viewing it,

Her Falsehoods and Allurements may eshew;

And on Faire Virtue my affection set;

Her beauties contemplate, her Love embrace,

And by her safe Direction, runne my race.

Hercules' choice between Virtue and Vice is a universal one. Through the application of both Christian and pagan symbols, Withers illustrates the choice that each person must make. The implied warning against the temptations of Vice (physical pleasures, fame, and wealth), can be seen as directed towards the royalty of his day, as he dedicates his collected emblems to them. He seems to urge royalty to follow the path of Virtue and remain impervious to Vice. Withers exhorts all who study his emblems to follow the lessons illustrated within and adds his hope that his words will remain long after 'many fairer Structures, are defac'd.'

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