Greek Heroes Research Paper

The characteristics of heroism throughout history have never changed. A hero has always been defined as strong, independent and fighting for a cause. What has changed is what society believes contributes to these characteristics. This idea is shown throughout Greek literature, especially in Homer’s epics, The Iliad, and Apollonius’ The Argonautica. The main characters in these poems are proclaimed as heroes and by analyzing them and using the epics as a baseline, we can see how over time the Greeks definition of strength, independence, and a noble cause broadens.

In Homers epics, the characteristic of strength is just that, physical strength. Each hero in The Iliad are the best and the leaders of each army. Hector, the leader of the Trojans,

His name is accompanied by titles like, “swift-footed...god-like...breaker-of-men” just like Hector’s and all praising his strength (9.44-16.80). He is so strong that just his voice is enough to cause panic and even kill. When Patroclus dies Achilles is brought out of his depressed state and, “three times god-like Achilles shouted beyond the trench, and three times the Trojans and their allies were thrown into a chaotic panic. Twelve of their best warriors died” (18.89). This strength is why the Greeks, both in the poem and in Greek society at this time considered Achilles a

Apollonius’ The Argonautica shows not a hero who is full of great strength but one who is intelligent and cunning with his words. Jason, the hero of the story, uses the strength of his words to win his battles. He is set on a mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece. Instead of bringing an army and fighting he brings a few friends and intends to, “first test [the king] with words to see whether he’ll be willing to give up the Golden Fleece for sake of friendship, or whether he’ll use force to put an end to this mission” (Apollonius 8). Jason wants to ask first instead of fight. This is what sets him apart from Homers idea of a hero who excels in