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Hero Vs. Perseus: The Ancient Greek Hero

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Perseus vs Theseus The great act of heroism and bravery plays a significant role in the ancient Greek myths, the greatest of these depictions are shown with Perseus, not Theseus. Perseus was the demigod son of the Lord of Olympus, Zeus and Danae, daughter of King Acrisius. Perseus is most well known for his noble deeds, like saving a stranded maiden from an impending death and slaying the mortal gorgon medusa for king Polydectes. Theseus, on the other hand, is the son of the great Earthshaker Poseidon and Aethra, daughter of King Pittheus. Theseus is most well known for traversing a path full of the harshest criminals, and slaying the mighty Minotaur. Both of these heroes have outstanding achievements, but one of them is braver than the other. The two points of comparison proving Perseus is braver than Theseus are Courage and Compassion. Perseus shows greater acts of courage proven by this quote, “I would even kill the horrible Gorgon Medusa in order to prove my loyalty and courage” (Myths …show more content…

This is depicted in this quote, “Perseus understood their anguish as they shared their daughter's terror” (Myths 206). But Theseus does not show any compassion whatsoever evident by this quote, “Theseus killed Pallas and the last of his sons” (Myths 251). The quote shows that Perseus is a man who understands the pain of others because he saw the anguish of Andromeda and her parents, and saved them from an impending death and shows he is willing to put himself at risk for the well being of others. This furthermore proves that Perseus is compassionate. Theseus, on the other hand, does not show any compassion when he slays his own uncle, Pallas and his 50 sons. It was his own family and he carried it out without showing any mercy. This is not compassion in any way possible, this is cold murder. Therefore I have proven why Perseus is compassionate and willing to risk himself for the well being of others, and why Theseus is

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