Greek Heroes Are as Problematic and Transgressive as They Are Capable of Extraordinary Feats of Strength and Bravery.

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Overall, we can develop the idea that Heracles and Theseus may be problematic and transgressive to society’s ways, equal to their strength and bravery. However, with this comes balance and order, an idea which is very important to Greek society. The other side to this being, the good always outdoing the bad in the eyes of Greek myth. Heracles and Theseus are never left to go rampant without being served a punishment. Heracles has his labours, Theseus has eternal damnation in hell and his country's resentment. As soon as their bad deeds are cleared, and the good overtakes the bad, they are again heroes for all - with their brutishness, deceptiveness and all. A final idea to summarise, relating to both parties, Heracles and Theseus is the story factor of the two. As myth is a created story, there is meaning behind the writers. This may mean focus was put on the good the heroes committed, rather than the bad. As this may be writer's intent, we cannot truly question the bad deeds. Barry Powell puts this in terms of modernity: “The Athenians pioneered use of myth for political ends, but today such practice can be found in every country.” “The exemplary lives of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln inculcate values useful to a modern democracy but bear small resemblance to the actual deeds and thoughts of these men.” This ties in with that idea that their good deeds are exemplified, to set example, not displaying bad, which may encourage it. Therefore meaning, Heracles and Theseus act as moral heroes as well. Showing what to do just as much as what not to do; personifying balance.

By Adrian Senk-Hoffmann

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