While in class today the main topic was the different traits of Herakles. We discussed his power in strength, smarts and talents. We also discussed that he always had this dual power over him. This dual power got me off on a random thought. Could Herakles had a multi-personality disorder? One personality of his killed his family, his music teacher, slayed animals and monsters etc. And then there is this whole other "dual" or personality, that mourned the loss and regretted killing, and repented using the 12 labors for forgiveness.
So I looked up the definition of on multiple personality disorder. And found a direct quote that I think is interesting at the very beginning of the article:
"Dissociative Identity Disorder, formerly referred to as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a condition wherein a person's identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personalities. Sufferers of this rare condition are usually victims of severe abuse.Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities, or personality states, are present in—and alternately take control of—an individual. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness."
To me this definition is so relatable to Herakles because him he blames Hera for the killing of his family by driving him mad, what if there was a different spin on the story all together. Hera had nothing to do with the killings he was simply just mad? Could this hero be the mad, fighting and killing side and the God aspect of his dual conscious be his good regretful side?
When I look at Herakles in these aspects I can clearly see how the multiple personality disorder could be relevant. Does one of these personalities take over more than other? I think he would be of equal parts God and Hero or Good and Bad. For every action he has a reaction. For killing his wife and children he has the 12 labors for him not being purely a God he has to prove himself and die in his human body. Is he more God or more human, which is a different question than if he is more God or more Hero because Hero's are put on a pedestal than a regular human. I think he would be more human then God or a Hero, simply because we as humans make mistakes, and we feel emotions of regret. I think this aspect would tap more into his human side. Struggle I find to be more of a human trait as well.
As a hero I think Herakles would be the least sympathy emotional but the most physically emotional out of all of his dual personalities. In conclusion, these are just my thoughts put onto "paper" and how I'm trying to look outside the box and into new aspects of the so popular myth of Herakles.
To me this definition is so relatable to Herakles because him he blames Hera for the killing of his family by driving him mad, what if there was a different spin on the story all together. Hera had nothing to do with the killings he was simply just mad? Could this hero be the mad, fighting and killing side and the God aspect of his dual conscious be his good regretful side?
When I look at Herakles in these aspects I can clearly see how the multiple personality disorder could be relevant. Does one of these personalities take over more than other? I think he would be of equal parts God and Hero or Good and Bad. For every action he has a reaction. For killing his wife and children he has the 12 labors for him not being purely a God he has to prove himself and die in his human body. Is he more God or more human, which is a different question than if he is more God or more Hero because Hero's are put on a pedestal than a regular human. I think he would be more human then God or a Hero, simply because we as humans make mistakes, and we feel emotions of regret. I think this aspect would tap more into his human side. Struggle I find to be more of a human trait as well.
As a hero I think Herakles would be the least sympathy emotional but the most physically emotional out of all of his dual personalities. In conclusion, these are just my thoughts put onto "paper" and how I'm trying to look outside the box and into new aspects of the so popular myth of Herakles.
No comments:
Post a Comment