Compare And Contrast Heracles And Perseus

Heracles and Perseus are two famous Greek heroes who are both sons of Zeus. Heracles is famous for completing twelve labors, which appeared to be impossible. The twelve labors include killing the Nemean Lion, killing the Lernean Hydra, capturing the Cerynian Hind, capturing the Erymanthian Boar, cleaning the Augean Stables, killing the Stymphalian Birds, capturing the Cretan Bull, capturing the Horses of Diomedes, taking the Girdle of the Amazon Queen Hippolyta, capturing the Cattle of Geryon, taking the Golden Apples of the Hesperides and capturing Cerberus. On the other hand, Perseus is famous for slaying Medusa, the three monstrous Gorgon sisters. He is also famous for saving Andromeda from the sea monster, Cetus. What makes Heracles and Perseus heroes is the fact that they are brave, courageous, smart and determined. Furthermore, what also makes them heroes is that they have completed tough tasks to achieve greatness and to please the gods.
The first difference is that most Greek heroes were not just ordinary people. Many of them were demi-gods, meaning that one of their parents is a god. The second difference is that most Greek gods were born into royalty. For example, Heracles’ mother is Alcmene, who is the daughter of King Electryon of Tiryns and Mycenae. Perseus’ mother is Danaë, who is the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos. Unlike the Greek heroes, people do not have to be born into royalty in order to be considered as heroes in these days. The second difference is that many of the Greek heroes were favored by the gods. In completing their tasks, the Greek heroes usually received some aid from the gods. Many of them were given with special gifts such as helmets. The present heroes do not get aids from the gods but instead, they have supporters and/or facilitators who are just ordinary human