Characters
Heracles: Heracles was one of the Greatest Heroes in Greek Mythology . His parents were Zeus and Alcmene. (The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d) It was said that as an act of hatred in which Hera had for Heracles , she drove him mad, and caused him to slaughter his wife and kids. (The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d) As a result, his punishment was to complete the 12 labors given to the Greek Hero by his cousin Eurystheus. (The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d)
Eurystheus: Eurystheus was the cousin of Hercacles, as well as the person responsible for assigning the 12 labors for the Greek Hero. (Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology n.d) Although Heracles was suppose to be older than Eurystheus, because of the knowledge that the first child born would eventually rule the kingdoms in the future. (Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology n.d) Hera decided to delay the birth of Heracles and sped up the birth of Eurystheus. (Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology n.d) Thus making Heracles younger than Eurystheus. (Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology n.d)
Pholus : Pholus belonged to a group of Peloponnesian centaurs, which resided in the cave on Mount Pholoe. (Atsma 2000) He was known for providing the Greek hero Heracles with food and drinks, during the time in which the Greek hero was trying to complete his 4th labour. (Atsma 2000)
Centaur: Centaurs were described as creatures that have the torso of a man and the body of a horse.( BBC 2001 ) Most centaurs were usually depicted in Greek mythology as being savage and drunk , and were associated with the Greek god Dionysus. (BBC 2001)
The Erymanthean boar: The Erymanthean boar was a not only a huge but also wild and bad tempered boar. (Perseus Project n.d ) It’s noticeable features were the large tusk that grew out of the boar’s mouth. (Perseus Project n.d)
(Labor)
The fourth labor that Heracles was given to complete was to bring back the Erymanthean boar. (Grimal 1996) This gigantic beast resided on Mount Erymanthus . (Grimal 1996) Furthermore it was said that everyday the beast would ravage through the countryside attacking both the human as well as the animals (Perseus Project n.d) During this labor, Heracles was accompanied by a centaur named Pholus. (Perseus Project n.d) The centaur kindly invited the hero to his cave for food and wine.( Perseus Project n.d) However the rest of the centaur became upset when Heracles consumed all of their precious wine, as a result they attacked Heracles. (Perseus Project n.d) However the hero was able to chase away the centaurs with ease. (Perseus Project n.d) While the hero was chasing away the centaurs Pholus was killed by a poisonous arrow when it accidently slipped from his hand, and struck his foot.( Perseus Project n.d) After burying the generous centaur, Heracles continued his hunt for the beast.( Perseus Project n.d) In order for Heracles to capture the boar Heracles shouted , scaring the boar from its safe haven, and was then driven to a patch of snow and eventually captured by the Greek hero.(Grimal 1996). However upon return, Eurystheus was so frightened by the sight of the beast that he jumped and hid in a big jar.(Grimal 1996)
Referencing
Atsma, A 2000, Pholos, Available from: < http://www.theoi.com/Georgikos/KentaurosPholos.html >. [ 21 September 2011]
BBC 2001, Greek Myths- Centaurs , Available from: < http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A647129>. [ 22 September 2011]
Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology n.d , Eurystheus, Available from: < http://www.mythweb.com/encyc/entries/eurystheus.html >. [ 22 September 2011]
Grimal, P 1996, The Dictionary of Classical Mythology, , Blackwell Publishing , Oxford
Perseus Project n.d, The Erymanthian Boar, Available from: < http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/boar.html>. [ 20 September 2011]
The Greek Gods of Mythology n.d , Heracles, Available from: < http://www.acsu.buffalo.edu/~baheintz/heroes.html >. [ 22 september 2011]
No comments:
Post a Comment