Heroic Quests and Monstrous Encounters

Hercules was born to Zeus and Alcmene, while Alcmene's husband was Amphitryon. Zeus, disguised, impregnated Alcmene while Amphitryon was away. Hercules was a fraternal twin with Iphicles.

Twelve tasks, athloi, demanded by Eurystheus as punishment for Hercules killing his family.

Monsters represent the boundaries of a community (political, economic, cultural, etc.). Heroes defeating them reaffirm these boundaries.

Hercules is a paragon of the Greek (male) ideal, embodying strength and valor.

The twelve labors were depicted on the temple of Zeus at Olympia.

Hera, resentful of Zeus's affair and Hercules's birth hindered him and sought to harm him.

A mythic figure who facilitates human-animal relationships, where the balance/relationship can either be dominance or deference.

A study of patterns in fairy tales, applicable to heroic quests; relating elements of hunter's chase and hero's quest.

Hercules eventually achieved divine status, worshiped throughout the Mediterranean world, recognized for his courage and endurance.

Eurystheus, the king who compelled Hercules to perform the 12 labors, is the instigator behind the deeds.

A fearsome lion Heracles defeated in his first labor.

Harmful creatures Heracles captured or relocated to protect cities.

Heracles' labors inspired the creation of athletic competitions like wrestling and boxing.

A multi-headed monster that Heracles defeated, challenging human-beast boundaries

A group of warrior women Heracles fought, emphasizing Greek over non-Greek hierarchy.

A three-headed monster Heracles defeated, defining boundaries between Greek and non-Greek.

Golden apples guarding immortality, fought by Heracles.

Three-headed dog guarding the Underworld, conquered by Heracles.

A gorgon who turned people to stone with her gaze, important figure in Perseus's story.

Perseus's encounter with Medusa, highlighting a powerful female figure that he defeats.

Perseus rescues Andromeda, a damsel in distress, from a sea monster.

Return to one's homeland, a crucial theme.

A tale type where heroes, after travels, return home to find their wives remarried.

Odysseus, from the Iliad, was often contrasted with Achilles in epic poetry.

Medea, angered by Jason's betrayal, orchestrates a gruesome act causing the deaths of Jason's tormenters and his new family

Jason attempts to establish a new home in Corinth by marrying the princess.

Oedipus, the king of Thebes, leads an investigation to find the murderer of King Laius, who allegedly polluted the land.

Oedipus unwillingly fulfills a prophecy to kill his father and marry his mother, leading to a tragic downfall.

An ancient prophecy foretells that Oedipus will kill his father and marry his mother.

King Laius's death occurred while traveling to Thebes.

Oedipus's parents, fearing the prophecy, abandon him in the hills to avoid the foretold tragedy.

A psychological concept described by Sigmund Freud, relating to a child's development.

Euripides's play reimagines Helen as a faithful wife who has spent 17 years in Egypt, waiting for Menelaus. This contradicts the traditional story of Helen as the cause of the Trojan War.

In Euripides' play, Alcestis willingly dies in place of her husband, Admetus, showing her unwavering devotion and love.

Thanatus, the god of death, is persuaded by Apollo to allow Admetus to live if someone else dies in his place.

Alcestis says goodbye to her marital bed, signifying her loyalty and faithfulness to her husband, even as she dies for him.

Admetus promises to remain faithful to Alcestis, even after her death, and places a statue of her in their bed as a symbol of his vow.

Before her death, Alcestis asks Admetus not to remarry, fearing that a stepmother would mistreat their children.

Euripides's play Alcestis, although a 'satyr' play, explores serious themes like death, love, and sacrifice through humor and comedy.

Apollo, indebted to Admetus for his hospitality, intervenes on his behalf with Thanatus. Artemis, however, condemns Admetus for a ritual error.

Female characters in Greek tragedies who showcase their relevance to 5th and 4th BCE audiences by actively challenging the social constraints and expectations placed upon them. They expose the fault lines in the world beyond the tragic stage by highlighting contradictory demands.

Clytemnestra, a prominent tragic heroine, is known for murdering her husband, Agamemnon, and his Trojan concubine, Cassandra. This act highlights her defiance against societal norms and the patriarchal system.

Unlike their epic versions, tragic heroines directly confront the social constraints they face. They are more outspoken and critical of the contradictory demands imposed by family, religion, and the state.

Tragic heroines provide alternative perspectives on the state. Their actions and motivations often challenge the established power structures and expose the hypocrisy of the ruling class.

Aeschylus's trilogy, 'The Oresteia', explores the consequences of Clytemnestra's actions and the cycle of revenge that ensues. It showcases themes of justice, family, and the role of the gods.

Admetus demonstrates extraordinary hospitality by welcoming Heracles, even during his grief. This act sets the stage for Heracles's intervention.

In gratitude for Admetus's hospitality, Heracles resolves to return Alcestis from the Underworld, defying the natural order of death.

Alcestis's inability to speak after being resurrected highlights the trauma of death and the complexities of her return.

Penelope demonstrates unwavering loyalty to Odysseus, refusing to remarry until his return, despite social pressures.

Penelope cleverly uses myths and dreams to express her inner thoughts and anxieties about Odysseus and Telemachus's future.

Telemachus faces challenges inheriting his father's estate due to Penelope's decision to remain unmarried, creating tension between them.

Penelope creates a contest to choose Odysseus's successor, but it serves as a hidden test for her husband's return by requiring him to string his own bow.