Heracles

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the character Heracles, a popular Greek figure used by both Sophocles and Euripides in their writings. Heracles was a Greek hero who later became a Greek god and is associated with labors, conquering animals and monsters,merriment and violence. It discusses how in Sophocles' "Trachiniae", the story is of the agony of Heracles before his death is told, in Euripides', "The Heracles", his madness is revealed and in "The Alcestis", he plays a role in bringing an innocent woman back from the dead. It shows how even though both Sophocles and Europides view Heracles as a god and share many similar opinions on him, both writers see Heracles in a different light and portray him in different ways.

From the Paper:

"Sophocles' Trachiniae is mainly about Heracles' cruel insensitivity. His mistreatment of his wife Deianira drives her to insane jealousy, which leads her to accidentally kill him. When he brings a mistress home with him in the story, Deianira sends Heracles a robe, which she intends to use to rekindle their love. However, the robe is poisoned and kills him instead. Deianira finds out that Heracles' enemy Nessus used her as his means of revenge."

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