Oedipus The King: The Twelve Labors Of Hercules

Hercules is known courageous acts and his god-like strength. Hercules was the son of an affair, between the Greek god Zeus and a human named Alcmene. Hera, Zeus wife was furious about the affair and hated Hercules because of it. Shortly after Hercules was born, she sent two serpents to his crib, as an act to kill him, but even as a baby he was able to strangle both of the snakes. Hera in her attempts to hurt Hercules, drove him mad, causing him to kill both his wife, Theben Princess Megara, and their three children. Horrified by what he had done, he tried to take his own life, he was stopped by an oracle telling him that the only way to save himself and purge himself of his sins was to become a servant of King Eurystheus of Tiryn for twelve years. Little did Hercules know, Hera was behind it all, telling King Eurystheus what to say to Hercules, the punishment of ten impossible tasks. Hercules had twelve years to complete the tasks, the first of the twelve tasks was …show more content…
Due to the king being displeased with the hydra and the Augean stables, Hercules was made to do two extra tasks, “The Twelve Labors of Hercules.” The king commanded Hercules to steal golden apples that belonged Hera. These apples were given to Hera as a wedding gift from Hercules’ father, Zeus. The tree that these golden apples grew from was planted by Hera herself at the foot of Mount Atlas. The garden that these golden apples grew was guarded by the Hesperides, as well as by Ladon, a dragon with a hundred heads. Hercules knew that this task was dangerous, not only because of those who guarded the garden, but also because of their importance to Hera. So, he asked Atlas to fetch them for him as a favor, when Atlas returned with the golden apples he insisted on taking them to the king himself. Hercules knowing that was a bad idea tricked Atlas and ran off to deliver the golden apples to