Hercules His 12 Quests Essay Research Paper

Hercules His 12 Quests Essay, Research Paper

Hercules: His 12 Quests

Like Perseus, Hercules was required to perform the miracu-lous. But instead of having to bring only one mission to a successful close, Hercules was ordered to complete twelve great tasks, which are often referred to in literature as “the labors of Hercules.” This is how the challenge came about.

Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene, daughter of the king of Mycenae. When Hercules was born, Juno in a jealous anger sent two serpents to destroy him in his cradle. But Hercules, even then showing the strength for which he later became famous, strangled them. Juno’s hatred, however, was not easily appeased. She waited until Hercules reached manhood and had achieved some fame; then she placed a spell on him that made him insane. In his fit of madness he slew his wife and children. But he was cured by Minerva and saved by her from shedding more blood. In payment for his crime, for which he had really not been responsible, he was made the servant of his cousin, King Eurystheus of Argos, whose commands he was compelled to obey. (Juno’s hand was in this, too.) Eurystheus thought up twelve tasks that seemed clearly impossible of fu llment.

The Nemean Lion. Eurystheus first ordered Hercules to kill the Nemean lion, a terrible beast that had defied all would-be captors. The combat between Hercules and the lion was brutal and cruel. .Seeing that his club and arrows were of no avail in the battle, Hercules grasped the lion in his hands and strangled it to death. He returned to Eurystheus, wearing the skin of the lion as a cloak and the head as a helmet.

The Hydra, or Water SerpenL Hercules was ordered next to slay the Hydra, a many-headed water serpent that had taken a heavy toll in the country of Argos. The middle head of the Hydra was immortal, indestructible. Hercules attacked the monster valiantly, but as he struck off one head, two others grew in its place. Hercules realized that he must change his plan of attack. With the assistance of his faithful nephew, he built a huge fire and burnt away the many heads before they could multiply further. The middle head, which was immortal, he buried under a rock.

The Arcadian Stag. Eurystheus commanded Hercules to capture the Arcadian stag, a magnificent beast with antlers of gold and hoofs of brass. Its speed was far beyond that of the swiftest beast known. Hercules pursued it in vain for a year before he succeeded in inflicting a slight wound. Thus handicapped, the stag was captured by Hercules, who carried it, on his shoulders, to his tyrant cousin.

The Boar of Eiymanthus. Like the Hydra and the Nemean lion, a huge boar had been laying waste the peaceful countryside. Eurystheus commanded Hercules to capture the beast. He pursued the boar relentlessly, finally captured it in a huge net, and carried it to his cousin.

The Augean Stables. For thirty years the stables of Augeas, king of Elis, had been neglected. Hercules was commanded to clean these stables, which housed three thousand oxen. He succeeded in doing s in a single day. How. He simply diverted two rivers so that they them. Juno’s hatred, however, was not easily appeased. She waited until Hercules reached manhood and had achieved some fame; then she placed a spell on him that made him insane. In his fit of madness he slew his wife and children. But he was cured by Minerva and saved by her from shedding more blood. In payment for his crime, for which he had really not been responsible, he was made the servant of his cousin, King Eurystheus of Argos, whose commands he was compelled to obey. (Juno’s hand was in this, too.) Eurystheus thought up twelve tasks that seemed clearly impossible of fulfillment.

The Man-Eating Birds. In Arcadia there lived a strange flock of birds. Their wings, claws, and beaks were of brass and they used their feathers as arrows. Their favorite food being human flesh, they preyed upon the hapless inhabitants of the country. Eurystheus ordered Hercules to destroy these man-eating birds. As the renowned hero approached the flock, he made a noise with a great rattle. The birds took flight, and Hercules, whose prowess as a marksman evidently equaled his strength, was able to slay them as they flew.

The Cretan Bull. The Cretan bull was a magnificent but terrible brute owned by King Minos of Crete. When it got out of control, Hercules was ordered to capture it. Once again, having used his great strength and skill to advantage, Hercules entered the halls of Eurys-theus with a huge beast draped over his broad shoulders!

The Horses of Diomedes. Diomedes, the cruel king of Thrace, fed his horses on human flesh. They were swift, beautiful beasts, but violent and difficult to restrain. Hercules was ordered to snatch them from their owner. He succeeded in capturing them, but Diomedes and his men pursued him. Hercules turned on his pursuers. They fought, and he was victorious. He threw the body of Diomedes to the horses. After they had eaten their master, they became tame, and Hercules had no trouble leading them back to Eurystheus.

The Girdle of Hippolyta. Hippolyta was the queen of the Amazons, a band of warrior women whose reputation for courage was untar-nished. Among the Amazons only female children were raised; the boys were either put to death or given to neighboring tribes. Hercules was ordered to s