Download A traditional or legendary story usually concerning some

Juan Flores
English 1
Jan. 14, 2010
What is a Myth?
A myth is a story with a purpose that some may believe is a lie. Myths also try to explain
the relationship between gods and humans. Even though the events in a myth are usually
impossible, they try to send a message that has an important social or religious meaning.
People have always tried to figure out common questions like who made the universe or
questions like what causes a storm. Religion,god,and myths were created when people
tried to make sense out of these Questions. For early people myths were like science
because they explain how things work. They also explained other question that are now
answered through modern science.
Who is Hercules?
Hercules was the strongest man in the world he was a good honest and wealthy man. He
was celebrated in stories sculptresses and paintings. He was a great hero. He overcame
fear. He encountered many test in life. He also killed his music teacher because he did not
like his music teacher and music. Hercules, like many others in Greek mythology, was
born to Zeus or another god. He had magic powers that made him the strongest person
alive. However, this alone did not make him a hero. He also had great courage, to
accomplish all of those tasks.
The Myth Surrounding Hercules
Of all the heroes of ancient Greek mythology, Hercules probably garners the most
attention. Rightfully so! Hercules was both a man's man and the subject of many women's
dreams. He was heroism personified. He saved damsels in distress, defeated mythical
Juan Flores
English 1
Jan. 14, 2010
No one else could kill, and fought the gods on the behalf of mankind. Hercules was halfgod and half-mortal; a product of yet another one of Zeus's affairs with mortal women.
Alcmene. was, by all accounts, exceedingly beautiful. However, it was not her beauty
alone that caught the eye of Zeus. She radiated a warmth and charm that was uncommon
among Greek women of the time. She was also full of energy, ambition, and unparalleled
compassion. It would have, in fact, been odd had the king of the gods not noticed her.
Hercules was the result of their brief love affair and soon became the light of his mother's life.
Though, he seldom acknowledged it, Zeus also had a soft spot in his heart for the young boy who
were grow up to become a savior of mankind. He gifted his son with extraordinary strength.
However, Hera, queen of the gods, was tired of Zeus's wandering eye and decided to take her
wrath out on his newest son. She even tried to prevent the birth of the boy while he slumbered
peacefully in his mother's womb. When that didn't work, she sent snakes to attack the baby in his
crib. However, from the very beginning Hercules seemed determined to live and easily strangled
the reptiles with his bare hands.
The second failure to kill Zeus's son caused Hera to become even angrier. She vowed to get her
revenge against the innocent boy no matter what or how long it took. She, indeed, spent most of
life trying to make certain that Hercules never experienced sustained happiness. Her cruelest act
of all was perpetrated not against the half-god himself, but against his beloved family - - his wife
Megara and their two children. She accomplished this in the most heartless manner possible. She
poisoned Hercules with an hallucinogenic drug that nearly drove the young man insane. During
his fit of madness, Hercules killed his own wife and children.
Juan Flores
English 1
Jan. 14, 2010