Respect and Honor Deserved-Bulfinch’s Mythology Assignment 6

In the myth of Hercules, the half god half mortal is tasked with twelve jobs, the “Twelve Labors of Hercules.” Each seemingly impossible to any man were easily conquered by the hero. Each task Hercules won victory, through his determination and discipline he vanquished the beasts set against him, unraveled the puzzles that would have baffled any other man. Hercules, I believe, was meant to be an example that we are meant to take after. Although everything he did was not perfect, he accomplished the tasks he was given, thoroughly and efficiently. Mankind is not perfect, everyone makes mistakes, but Hercules was always determined to finish the task. He did not complain or seek to avoid the tasks but instead took them on with good spirits and gained victory over all of them. Through these labors Hercules won the respect of many gods and thousands of men. He was on the brink of death but was redeemed by the gods, set in the stars, equal to a god. I saw a great similarity between Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk and Hercules. Both were part god, superior to man, yet they made errors that lead to their own demise. Hercules made many poor choices and decisions throughout the myth as did Gilgamesh. In a way both were self centered believing themselves immortal and realizing their mortality. In the end both gained honor and respect from the gods and from the people of the world. Both of their names live on today, through their acts and stories.