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The Character Of Theseus In Homer's Odyssey '

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A prop is commonly understood to be a movable object used in play. Its characteristics are only important because of how they add to the narrative and how props affect the characters. They do not have any real value in their own right. Theseus is the second self to Heracles. Due to this, as stated by Keppler, “The feelings and reactions of the first self are always in the foreground, those of the second self in the background.” Theseus’ purpose is not to necessarily entertain the audience, or add to the storyline as a prominent character. Instead, he exists only secondary to Heracles. For this reason, I would argue that Theseus, because he is Heracles’ second self, poses less as a character more as a prop in the Heracles of Euripides.
Theseus …show more content…
So that the defilement of your greeting may not strike me? It doesn’t matter at all to me if I fare badly along with you,” (Her. 1218-1220). His words are comforting and show he still cares for and pities Heracles, even after his atrocious acts. Theseus proves his words with actions, and offers great aid to Heracles, “I’ll give you a house and a share of my possessions. And the gifts from the citizens… I’ll give these to you… sections of land… will be given your name… with this favor I will repay you for saving me,” (Her. 1325-1337). This passage begins with Theseus offering an extreme amount of assistance to encourage Heracles to find his footing in life again. Offering not only possessions and gifts, he offers up estate which was considered a great commodity and still is. He seemingly does all of this out of the goodness of his character as a supportive friend. His words are an irreproachable proof of friendship, until the end when Theseus states that he is doing these things as a way to pay off the debt he owes to Heracles for rescuing him from Hades. Friendship is not a transaction, or like balancing a checkbook. But after saying that he will do all these things to repay Heracles for what he’s done for Theseus, it brings the audience’s attention back to Heracles. It makes Heracles the hero, and shoves Theseus

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