Heracles is best known as the strongest of all mortals. Stronger then many gods. So strong he was the deciding
factor in allowing the Olympian Gods to win their battle with the giants. He
was the last mortal son of Zeus, and he is the only man born of mortal woman
to become a god upon his death.
Offsetting his strength was a noticeable lack of intelligence or wisdom. Once
when he became too hot, he pulled his bow out and threatened to shoot the sun.
This coupled with strong emotions in one so powerful frequently got Heracles
in trouble. While his friend and cousin Theseus ruled Athens, Heracles had
trouble ruling himself. His pride was easily offended. He took up grudges
easily and never forgot them. His appetites for food, wine, and women were
as massive as his strength. Many of Heracles great deeds occurred while doing
penance for stupid acts done in anger or carelessness.
It would be easy to view Heracles as a muscle bound buffoon. Indeed, many of
the comic Greek playwrights used him this way. Even among serious critics he
was often seen as primitive, brutal, and violent. There is much to support
this view. His chosen weapon was a massive club. His customary garment a lion
skin, head still attached. He impiously wounded some of the gods. He even
threatened Apollo's priestess at Delphi
when a answer to his questions was not forthcoming. In this way, he created
most of his own problems.
However, Heracles as simply a macho buffoon is unfair. If he held grudges, he
would also do anything to help a friend. Once his anger passed he was the most
critical judge of his own actions. He was too strong for anyone to force a
punishment on him. That he willing did severe penance shows a fundamental
sense of justice. During his punishments he shows patience, fortitude and
endurance that are as heroic as his strength. Terrible things happen to him
because of Hera's hatred, a hatred that he is not responsible for. That he
perseveres through it all is a moral victory beyond simple strength.
The view of Heracles shifted considerably over time. The early view focused on
how badly he managed despite his obvious gifts. As time passed the focus
shifted to his virtues. The Romans valued him highly as he best fit their
idea of a hero. He eventually had a fair sized cult that worshiped him as a
god. (
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