The Hero’s Path

The hero’s path involves three parts. Separation – How he leaves his parents and the land of his birth. Initiation – The journey and the adventures that prove his status as a hero. Return – How he is reunites with his family and the land of his birth.

Perseus’ Separation  Perseus is separated from his homeland when the king of Argos put baby Perseus and his mother Danae in a box and threw them into the ocean.

Initiation  To prove his strength, courage, and intelligence, Perseus tricks the the three sisters (Hags) into telling him where the Gorgon Medusa lives. Perseus kills Medusa (with the help of the gods Athena, Hermes and Hades).

Return  On his return to Seriphus, Perseus saves Andromeda and defeats the sea monster. He also has to fight off Andromeda’s suitors at his wedding.

Theseus’ Separation  Theseus leaves the land of his birth to travel to Athens where his father rules.

Initiation On his way to Athens, Theseus pursues bad guys such as Procrustes, and defeats them. Theseus’ most famous adventure involves the Minotaur and the labyrinth. You can fill in the details that involve Ariadne, a ball of yarn, and the goddess Athena.

Return Theseus’ return was a sad one. When his father sees that the sail is still black, he kills himself because he thinks Theseus is dead.

Jason’s Separation  Jason leaves the kingdom of Thessaly to pursue the golden fleece and take the crown from his uncle.

Initiation  Jason voyages to the land of Colchis to find the golden fleece.  1. One of Jason’s sailors drowns and Heracles leaves because he is depressed.  2. Jason’s men pursue the Harpies.  3. His ship is attacked by deadly birds with feathers made of arrows.  4. Clashing Rocks – Jason sent a dove through the rocks and the rocks clashed into each other trying to get the doves.

Initiation Continued  5. Jason has to yoke the fire breathing bulls.  6. Plow the field with the teeth of the dragon.  7. Jason has to kill the army of warriors that grow from the teeth. He tricks the warriors into killing each other.

Return Jason is forced to take Medea to Thessaly, where defeats his uncle but never marries Media.

Heracles’Separation Heracles is separated from his family because he kills his wife and children afterHera makes him insane. Then Hera sends Heracles to perform twelve labors.

Initiation  For his initiation, Heracles has to perform Twelve Labors:  Labor #1  The Nemean Lion – Heracles kills the tough skinned lion by strangling it.  Labor #2  The Hydra – He cuts off all the heads and burns them so they won’t grow back, and he buries the middle head.

Initiation Continued  Labor #3 – The Arcadian Stag – The stag it (hurts it) and when it slows down, he catches it.  Labor #4 – The Boar of Erymanthus – He captures the boar in a big net and takes it to his cousin alive.

Initiation Continued  Labor #5 – The Augean Stables –  Labor #6 – Kill the Man-Eating Birds – He made a big noise and when the birds flew into the air, he shot them down.  Labor #7 – Capture the Cretan Bull – He uses his strength and skills to capture it.  Labor #8 – The Horses of Diomedes – He fixed it so the horses ate Diomedes.

Initiation Continued  Labor #9 – Bring back the Girdle of Hippolyta – Even though Hippolyta was willing to give him the girdle, Hera tricked the Amazons into going to war with Heracles and he had to kill Hippolyta for the girdle.  Labor #11 – Get the golden apples -

Return