Heroism in Greek Mythology
...e members; nonetheless, Lysistrata’s rejection of the stereotypical domestic female allows her to take the stage and achieve a real political voice in a male-dominated state. All of this is due to her surpassing intellect and wit. In Platos The Apology the Delphic oracle proclaimed Socrates to be the wisest of men because he knows that he knows nothing. This oracle led Socrates to assume a very ironic stance of confessing his own ignorance, and yet showing his peers to be even more ignorant then himself. Socrates great wisdom turns out to reside in a humble acknowledgment of wisdom, Socrates does not take himself too seriously. His wisdom is very humbling. Socrates accepts that he is better off the less he thinks he knows and passes his wisdom along with appropriate wit.. Lysistrata, Socrates, and Odysseus all possess the heroic attributes of wisdom, intellect and wit. Although the basic structure of their brainpower possess many similarities in their conscious or unconscious quest towards heroism, the way in which each utilized their intellect varies greatly. Odysseus has extraordinary strength, as shown in Book 21 by being the only man who can string the bow. But he relies more on mind then muscle. Odysseus uses his wit in more of a “warrior” sense. He can minimize his losses with prudent decision-making and careful navigation , as he continually shows throughout the novel. Socrates, unlike Odysseus, considered the quest for wisdom and the instruction of others through conversation and inquiry the highest aims in life. One of Socrates most famous sayings is “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Lysistrata utilized her wit and intellect through manipulation. She convinces the women to swear an oath that they will withhold sex from their husbands until both sides sign a peace treaty. To finalize her plan Lysistrata at the end of the novel comes out of Akropolis with her naked handmaid, Peace. While the men are fully distracted by Peace, Lysistrata lectures them on the need for reconciliation between the states of Greece. Her witty plan gained her the outcome in which he desired: Peace. Each of the three characters can be continually cross-analyzed, but when the entire picture is looked at is seems evident that all these heroes possess genuine moral virtues. For example, Socrates led a very simple life, renouncing wealth and withholding himself from political ambitions, preferring instead to mingle with the crowds in Athens public places, engaging whomever he could in conversation. He would ask questions in an attempt to get people to come to proper philosophical conclusions on their own. Socrates extended conversations with students, statesmen and friends invariably aim at understanding and achieving virtue. The intellectual gifts of Socrates were hardly less remarkable than his moral virtues. The exercise of the mental powers was, he conceived, no mere occupation of leisure hours, but rather a sacred and ever-present duty; because, moral error being intellectual error translated into act, he who would live virtuously must first rid himself of ignorance and folly. Socrates was unconcerned with physical or metaphysical questions; the issue of primary importance was ethics, living a good life. Odysseus’s moral virtues were evident in the novel through his insuperable attempts and victories in the continual rescuing of his men and crew. Odysseus often hesitates before acting, because he uses his reason and gifts to evaluate things. He freed his men from the pleasure giving drugs of the Lotus-Eaters, rescued then from the cannibalism of the Cyclopes and the enchantments of Circe. He braved the terrors of the underworld with them, and with his newly acquired knowledge from his mother, Ajax, amongst other dead, he steered his men past the perils of the Sirens and of Scylla and Charybdis. Even though Odysseus could not save his men from their final folly, he showed himself to be a very morally sound hero, whom acknowledges and respects human life. Lysistrata continually demonstrates her moral virtues throughout the novel by pursuing the drea...