Heroes!

Campbell states that all hero myths follow the same basic structure structure. After this weeks readings I completely agree. Some of the steps overlap each other but the same basic format is followed in the myths of Theseus and Herakles. He states 12 steps in the hero’s journey. They are: 1. Ordinary world 2. Call to adventure 3. Refusal of call 4. Meeting mentor 5. Crossing threshold 6. tests, allies, and enemies 7. Approach 8. Crisis 9. Reward 10. Road Back 11. Resurrection 12. Return with Elixir.

Theseus’ “ordinary world” was when he was younger. He always knew he had a special father and yearned to meet him but he couldn’t until he was older. Theseus’ call to adventure could be seen as when he was able to lift the rock and retrieve the tokens his father hid for him. On his journey to Athens (his crossing the threshold), he chose to take the mainland which was a much more treacherous route opposed to the easy journey by sea in order to make travel for everyone safer. During his travel he met many awful creatures that his cousin Herakles hadn’t rid the world of. Some of Theseus’ tests and approach include “Club-Man” Periphetes, Sinis “Pine-Bender”, the man-killing sow, Skiron, the giant turtle, and others. After this difficult journey is over you would think that Theseus’ hero quest would be over but the most difficult has yet to happen. Theseus’ crisis can be seen as when he is found out by Medea (his father’s wife). Theseus is weary when he gets to Athens and for his father he offers to kill the bull of marathon. After during his celebration reward, Medea tries to poison him with a glass. But his father catches glimpse of his tokens and saves Theseus just in time.

Herakles is the ultimate hero. His ordinary world is how his human father schooled him extremely well. He also grew up on his father’s son after killing one of his teachers. Herakles’ call to adventure came after he exiled himself and sees the Oracle at Delphi and she tells him in order to achieve immortality he must complete 12 labors for Eurystheus. His mentor is his childhood archery teacher Eurytos. Over the 12 labors he meets many tests and enemies. Some including: the lion, hydra, keryhela, the wild boar, he must clean a barn, get rid of evil birds,capture a bull, capture the mares of Diomedes, and steal the royal belt. Over the course of the 12 years, the tasks elevate to be more and more difficult. He also meets some allies along the way such as Prometheus and Atlas. Herakles’ approach could be seen when he reaches the edge of the known and kills Geryon, Orthos, and Eurytion and also when he goes to get the golden apples. Herakles’ crisis is when he travels to the underworld and borrows the hell hound Kerberos. His reward is his freedom from the labors. But on the road back he doesn’t know what to do with himself so he kills Iphitos. He can have redemption by being a slave for 3 years for a woman which is humiliating to the hero but its part of his resurrection.