The Qualities Of Greek Hero Theseus In Homer's Odyssey

The quality of intelligence is one of the most important quality of a hero to succeed in a mission or quest. Without being intelligent, a hero would not be able to think, and they would only use their force and strength to solve a problem, which usually does not work out. The Greek and Athens hero Theseus showed the most qualities of being intelligent. When he meets the bandits on the way to his father, Aegean, he cleaned them out leaving no one alive, “He killed them all, however; he left no one alive to trouble future travelers (Hamilton 210).” This shows that Theseus thinks ahead of what he does, and has the perfect quality of being a king. This action shows his knowledge and intelligence. Through the story of Hercules, Theseus helped Hercules to get out of his misery of killing his wife and children, “His friend Theseus stood before him and stretched out his hands to clasp those bloodstained hands (Hamilton 229).” He used his convincing words to persuade Hercules to get out of his misery and go to Athens with him. …show more content…
Not only Theseus has the quality of intelligence, Hercules has the quality as well. During the fifth labor, he showed intelligence by cleaning the Augean stables in a single day, “Hercules diverted the courses of two rivers and made them flow through the stables in a great flood that washed out of the filth in no time at all (Hamilton 232).” Not many people at that time can think of such a great plan in one day, but Hercules did. On the eleventh labor, which was to bring back the Golden Apples of the Hesperides, he showed even more qualities of intelligence, “He agreed to Atlas’ plan, but asked him to take the sky back for just moment so that Hercules could put a pad on his shoulders to ease the pressure. Atlas did so, and Hercules picked up the apples and went off (Hamilton 233).” This is a person that is extremely