Characteristics of a Classical Hero Demonstrated in The...

â€Å"The Labours of Hercules† introduces the most famous Greek hero in mythology, Hercules. He completes twelve immense tasks at an early age for killing his family while under a curse from Hera. The story of his labours contains many reasons why Hercules is classified as a classical hero. Hercules exhibits many of the traits of a classical hero, including numerous guides, hazardous journeys and several hardships and afflictions. Hercules demonstrates one trait of a classical hero by asking for or accepting assistance from other characters throughout the story. Two of his most obvious moments of assistance were when he asks the King of Thebes for his twelve tasks and when he needs help during the search for one of Hera’s treasures. He†¦show more content†¦Hercules demonstrates a second characteristic when he embarks on his twelve incredibly dangerous labours. By completing these tasks, Hercules would be forgiven for the killing of his family while under Hera’s spell. An instance of one of these tasks is when he must destroy Hydra, a creature with many heads, one of which is immortal. He fulfills this task by cutting off most of its heads and then laying its immortal head under a rock for eternity. On another labour Hercules is sent to retrieve Cerberus (the three headed dog of Hades) and bring him to the King then, return it to the post at the entrance to the underworld. These an d many other of Hercules immense tasks therefore display a vital quality of a hero in classical mythology. A third trait of a classical hero is demonstrated when Hercules experiences many afflictions and misfortunes during his journeys. Ever since Hera’s husband Zeus had an affair and gave life to Hercules, she has hated him and is responsible for most of his afflictions. One of these afflictions is when Hera drove Hercules mad and made him kill his wife and family. Another example of his misfortunes is when Hera sent two very dangerous snakes after him when he was only eight months old; luckily Hercules was incredibly strong and defeated the deadly snakes. The tremendous amount of hardships along his quest therefore reflects a third heroic quality in Hercules. Many characteristics of a classical hero are demonstrated by Hercules in