The King Must Die: Hero Analysis

AP Literature and Composition

December 2nd, 2013

The King Must Die: Hero Analysis

Theseus as depicted in Mary Renault's modern adaptation of Greek myth The King Must Die is the epitome of a Greek hero of time immemorial, and would be proclaimed a hero even today despite his flaws. Many of the reasons that he was a hero to the Greeks is part of what makes him a hero to modern day society; he has a strong sense of moral right and cannot stand for injustice thus striving to change it wherever he finds it. He is also strong, clever, and a man of the people. Yet it is not his physical aspects of strength, nor mental prowess or cunning that make him a hero by modern standards, instead it is his flaws that make him a true hero.

A contemporary hero is a man of the people, one who stands beside his fellow men in times of strife. Theseus is a hero to his people who suffer under the heel of oppression and unfairness. He is compelled to put his hand to whatever injustice he finds, and eradicate it, often at the expense of long held traditions. One of the first significant acts of his, is when he changed the means of choosing the new King of Eleusis. The kingdom of Eleusis had had a long standing tradition of having the king of the previous year killed in single combat; and having the victor claim the throne, all in honor of the patron goddess. Theseus sees the injustice of this after killing after killing Kerkyon the previous king, and ascending to the throne himself. After serving a year as the King; and making major changes within his rule, he finally abolishes this practice after the death of the Queen in his final words to her, "Though I shall change the sacrifice, I will never root out the Mother's worship here" (King 145). After meeting his father Aigeus, King of Athens, he learns of an upstart group known as the Pallantids. After hearing of their evil deeds and plans his sense of honor compels him to help rid them from his lands, as he explains to his men: "They are planning war… They will rend the Attic plains like wolves on a dead horse… That horde, if it gets through to Eleusis, will not leave an ear standing, a sheep running, a jar unbroken, or a girl unravished" (King 147). The kingdom of Crete had for generations demanded of the great Citadel of Athens seven youths and seven maidens to become bull dancers in their ritual; none were to return alive. On the day the dancers were to be taken from Athens, as the last youth was being chosen and taken away, Theseus steps up and goes in his stead. After performing thedeadly dance for tge citizens of Crete, and seeing the corruption o fthe royal house, Theseus leads a revolt with his fellow dodgers of death, to overthrow the Isle while it is in chaos, "All Crete was in turmoil. As soon as it was