Compare Ideas of Heroism Merriam-Webster defines a hero as…”A mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability (Merriam-Webster, n.d.)” Looking at the times of Greek mythology, there were many heroes such as Theseus, Perseus, Jason, Achilles, Odysseus, and Hercules who were celebrated for their divine powers and superhuman strengths. When Giglamesh was wandering around and learning what it meant to put his personal egotism aside for the good of others, was he in fact a hero, or was he just simply growing intellectually within himself? All heroes are famous for the extraordinary selfless acts that they perform for the sake of others. The Minotaur that lived in a labyrinth on the island of Crete was defeated by Theseus after the population of Athens was forced to send fourteen children to be eaten by the Minotaur each year to appease him (Infoplease, 2012). Perseus, who was the son of Zeus and Danae, killed the Gorgan Medusa who caused the people who looked directly at her to turn to stone (Infoplease, 2012). In addition, the most fearless and strongest warrior in the Greek war against the Trojans was Achilles, who became invulnerable everywhere in his body except for his heel that his mother held him by when she dipped him in the River Styx (Infoplease, 2012). Odysseus, who is better known as Ulysses, was the King of Ithaca and also a celebrated warrior who assisted the Greeks in the Trojan War. Because of his cleverness and courage, he saved himself and his men from monsters such as the Cyclops (Infoplease, 2012). Unlike the others who were truly the heroes of their time, Jason led the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece. His uncle, Pelius, stole the
