Hercules's Lesson to the Ancient Greeks

Hercules's Lesson to the Ancient Greeks

Hercules, the son of Zeus and Alcmene, offered ancient Greeks an ideal to live up to. His actions supported the idea that physical and mental strength are both necessities to achieve one's goals. Hercules is sent to perform twelve labors given to him by King Eurystheus of Tiryns. Doing so, he utilized physical and mental strength to successfully complete his labors. In labors 1, 7 and 12, Hercules demonstrates physical strength by killing off monstrous beings with his bare hands. Additionally, in labors 4, 5, and 6, mental strength is valuable when Hercules kills his enemies from a distance, using his brain as a weapon. These actions Hercules completed taught the ancient Greeks what traits were necessary to succeed in their world.

Physical strength is exploited in labor 1 when Hercules must kill the Nemean Lion. This beast cannot be defeated by stone, bronze, or even iron. Therefore Hercules is entailed to use his hard-hitting hands to conquer this battle. First, as the frightful lion charges Hercules, he lifts his olive wood club and slams the lion's head into pain and shock. Next, he "grabbed the lion from behind, encircled his neck with his arms, and squeezed the life out of it." Hercules's well-built muscles and his courageous attitude enable him to complete this daunting task. He then skins the lion and wears his hide, showing the ancient Greeks what physical strength can achieve. Physical strength also comes into play in labor 7, when Hercules must capture the Cretan Bull. "Hercules caught the bull, tied it up, and returned to Tiryns with it upon his shoulders." Carrying the massive bull, especially upon one's shoulders, showcases the idea of possessing physical strength as being glorious and bold. Lastly, Hercules employs physical strength when he is ordered to capture Cerberus, the three headed guard dog of the Underworld. Hades had informed him that he could not use weapons to obtain Cerberus; therefore, he "grabbed the monster with his powerful arms (and) ...maintained his deathly grip." Hercules corporeal potency was essential to complete this labor. This labor taught the ancient Greeks that physical strength was essential in their world, as well.

Mental strength is another necessity and lesson that is placed upon the ancient Greeks. To complete labor 4, Hercules must capture the Erymanthian Boar. Hercules realizes "that he could never catch the amazingly fleet animal upon its native terrain." Therefore, Heracles chases the boar into the snowy, upper regions where it eventually collapses in exhaustion. Without clever thinking, Hercules most likely would have chosen a less successful strategy, like chasing the swift boar around the boar's native terrain. While choosing that plan, Hercules would collapse in exhaustion, instead of the boar, resulting in failure. This labor