Myths Blog 15

1. Hercules: He triumphs over jealousy and the serpents can be representations of evil and his goodnes/godliness allow him to easily overcome them. The lion skin is symbolic for triumph and honor and his wearing it can be seen as others seeing this in him or that he gained the right to wear it. The serpent can be the need to look at problems creatively or differnet and the ninth head means that not everything can be solved as originally thought, the same with the stable. The Amazons are a subtle way to say that women are both treacherous and innocent, so men must be wary of them. All of the tasks are symbols of difficulty and the great reward waiting for the brave. Antaeus' connection to earth is a way to illustrate the bond the agricultural greeks had to earth and the strength having crops gave them. Cacus is a warning to thieves. The Cerberus story serves to say that not everything can be solved with violence. Hercules also deals with humiliation and punishment with honor and dignity, like a true hero. During this time as he was dishonorable he would not wear his lion skin he had won through honor, but the righteous queen was allowed to. When his disgrace was cleansed he could once again wear the hero's lion skin. Dejanira is another example of the possible treachery of women. His dignity in defeat s also there in his death.

2. Hebe And Ganymede: Hebe is shown as another honorable prize for worthy heroes and men of valor.

3. Theseus: Theseus gaining the shoes is another way to praise men of worth. He is also a defeater of the exaggerated evils of men to warn humans to stay away from evil and be heroes. Medea is once more the symbol for female treachery. The taxes can be the horrible state any city-state would have had they to pay tribute to any nation, one which surely seemed worse in their eyes. Ariadne is an opposite of Medea, a symbol of the saving power of love. The Amazons can be outrage or anger in women or others perceived as weaker or unimportant, warning heroes not to underestimate their enemies. This myth also illustrates the bond between brothers in arms, still seen on battlefields today. A notable example would be the camaraderie displayed in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers". Pirithous' fate is a warning to not believe oneself invincible or immortal.