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Hercules: A Self-made Hero

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Hercules: A Self-made Hero
Hercules: A Self-made Hero From birth, it was easy to see that Hercules was a very unique person. Even at a young age, it was clear that he was unlike any other child because he had superhuman strength. Hercules was the child of the god Zeus and mortal woman Alcmene. Zeus' wife, Hera, did not like Hercules one bit and one day decided to make him very upset anyway that she could. To do this, she sent him into a fit and went crazy. According to mythweb, "In a frenzy, he killed his own children [and wife]" (par. 2 "Heracles"). Because he killed his family, he was punished by having to labor through 12 total trials. Through this process of atonement, Hercules displays the characteristics of a high-god for the which leads him to become known as a hero. The first trial Hercules was given was to kill the Nemean Lion and bring Eursytheus the skin. Although he knew it would be a difficult task, Hercules had no choice but to do it. Relying on tools and skills, he tracked down the animal and tried to use the bow-and-arrow to overcome the beast (par.1 "Hercules). The arrows did not work so he killed the lion with only his superhuman strength. Being successful, he brought back the skin of the lion as his proof. When Eursytheus saw that he was successful, he became afraid of him and would not speak to him in person (par. 6 "Heracles"). King Eursytheus was afraid because when he saw that Hercules was capable of such things he knew that Hercules had the capabilities to overthrow him. For the second trial, Hercules was given the task of slaying the Lernean Hydra. Along with his nephew they went to where the beast was and began to lure out the beast from its hiding place. Fearlessly, Hercules fights the Hydra but could never seem to out-do the creature. Eventually, the Hydra grabs a hold of his leg and overcomes Hercules and he calls on his nephew for help (par. 3"Hercules") . Together, they work to
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