Heroics and Stoics
Stoic ideas have been around for centuries. The ideas have flooded many legends about heroes and serve as a great source in which people should strive to live their lives. The ideas not only give ways to be a better person individually by taking responsibility for one’s own actions, but they also provide a framework on how to be a better addition to society. Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. “The philosophy asserts that virtue (such as wisdom) is happiness and judgment should be based on behavior, rather than words. It is the idea that we don’t control and cannot rely on external events, only ourselves and our responses” (What is Stoicism). The four stoic ideas are: wisdom which …show more content…
Each of the stoic ideas will be examined through the heroes: Arthur, Lancelot, Theseus, and Sigurd. Each hero’s display of or lack of stoicism will be supported with the ethical advice from The Enchiridion of Epictetus. Arthur, from the Sword in the Stone, portrays justice, courage, and moderation, while giving no sign of wisdom. Arthur shows courage with the act of pulling the sword from the stone. All the men of noble blood had gathered at the tournament ready to gain power by being the one that pulled the sword from the stone. With the secret of Arthur's birth and his young age, no one saw him as a threat of taking taking power. Arthur’s courage is on display to an angry crowd that “protested against one so young, and of ignoble blood, succeeding to the throne” (d’Arthur, 757). Arthur continues to follow the archbishop’s orders and pulls the sword from the stone three more times to prove to the angry crowd that he is the next to rule. Arthur’s courage of pulling the sword from the stone in front of an angry crowd supports the …show more content…
Lancelot demonstrates courage when he keeps his loyalty to Guinevere refusing to take any of the three queens as his companion. He knew this loyalty would result in death even so he refuses them on his life (Baines, 763). His loyalty shows that he strives to be as moral as possible while ignoring what other people think about it (50). Lancelot shows moderation in his reaction to his upcoming fate. He is aware that his refusal of picking a queen is going to result in his death, yet he remains calm and accepts his fate without lashing out toward the queens. He simply says, “It is the end” (Baines, 763). Lancelot’s example of moderation goes hand in hand with The Enchiridion of Epictetus advice, “be prepared for the worst. Everybody dies” (21). He understands that nothing is forever, not even his own life. Lancelot’s justice is shown by repaying the noblewoman who had helped him escape his appointment with death. In exchange for her aid, Lancelot promises to champion the noblewoman’s father, King Bagdemagus, at a tournament where he is to combat King of North Galys, and the three knights of the Round table (Baines, 764). Lancelot keeps his promise, making sure he doesn’t miss a chance to build goodwill with other people (36). Lancelot displays wisdom in his plan of helping
Stoic ideas have been around for centuries. The ideas have flooded many legends about heroes and serve as a great source in which people should strive to live their lives. The ideas not only give ways to be a better person individually by taking responsibility for one’s own actions, but they also provide a framework on how to be a better addition to society. Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. “The philosophy asserts that virtue (such as wisdom) is happiness and judgment should be based on behavior, rather than words. It is the idea that we don’t control and cannot rely on external events, only ourselves and our responses” (What is Stoicism). The four stoic ideas are: wisdom which …show more content…
Each of the stoic ideas will be examined through the heroes: Arthur, Lancelot, Theseus, and Sigurd. Each hero’s display of or lack of stoicism will be supported with the ethical advice from The Enchiridion of Epictetus. Arthur, from the Sword in the Stone, portrays justice, courage, and moderation, while giving no sign of wisdom. Arthur shows courage with the act of pulling the sword from the stone. All the men of noble blood had gathered at the tournament ready to gain power by being the one that pulled the sword from the stone. With the secret of Arthur's birth and his young age, no one saw him as a threat of taking taking power. Arthur’s courage is on display to an angry crowd that “protested against one so young, and of ignoble blood, succeeding to the throne” (d’Arthur, 757). Arthur continues to follow the archbishop’s orders and pulls the sword from the stone three more times to prove to the angry crowd that he is the next to rule. Arthur’s courage of pulling the sword from the stone in front of an angry crowd supports the …show more content…
Lancelot demonstrates courage when he keeps his loyalty to Guinevere refusing to take any of the three queens as his companion. He knew this loyalty would result in death even so he refuses them on his life (Baines, 763). His loyalty shows that he strives to be as moral as possible while ignoring what other people think about it (50). Lancelot shows moderation in his reaction to his upcoming fate. He is aware that his refusal of picking a queen is going to result in his death, yet he remains calm and accepts his fate without lashing out toward the queens. He simply says, “It is the end” (Baines, 763). Lancelot’s example of moderation goes hand in hand with The Enchiridion of Epictetus advice, “be prepared for the worst. Everybody dies” (21). He understands that nothing is forever, not even his own life. Lancelot’s justice is shown by repaying the noblewoman who had helped him escape his appointment with death. In exchange for her aid, Lancelot promises to champion the noblewoman’s father, King Bagdemagus, at a tournament where he is to combat King of North Galys, and the three knights of the Round table (Baines, 764). Lancelot keeps his promise, making sure he doesn’t miss a chance to build goodwill with other people (36). Lancelot displays wisdom in his plan of helping