what was theseus weakness? what was theseus weakness?

He had many great triumphs as a young man, but he died a king in exile filled with despair. In Ovid's Metamorphoses Theseus fights against and kills Eurytus, the "fiercest of all the fierce centaurs"[12] at the wedding of Pirithous and Hippodamia. Theseus overpowered the Minotaur with his strength and stabbed the beast in the throat with his sword (according to one scholium on Pindar's Fifth Nemean Ode, Theseus strangled it).[8]. Thus, the Athenians sent a religious mission to the island of Delos (one of Apollo's most sacred sanctuaries) on the Athenian state galleythe ship itselfto pay their fealty to the god. It was not long before the Pallantides' hopes of succeeding the childless Aegeus would be lost if they did not get rid of Theseus (the Pallantides were the sons of Pallas and nephews of King Aegeus, who was then living at the royal court in the sanctuary of Delphic Apollo). Theseus then met Sinis, who would bend two pine trees to the ground, tie a traveller between the bent trees, and then let the trees go, thus tearing apart the travellers limbs. [6] So they set a trap for him. In her honor, Theseus gave her name to one of the demes of Attica, making its inhabitants in a sense her adopted children. Theseus helped battle these at Pirithous' wedding. Hyginus, Fabulae: A Latin mythological handbook (first or second century CE) that includes sections on the myths of Theseus. Theseus followed Daedalus' instructions given to Ariadne: go forwards, always down, and never left or right. Theseus did capture the bull, but when he returned to Hecale's hut, she was dead. Graves, Robert. The Lapiths won the ensuing battle. I also took an online management course to help me improve my feedback delivery.. Persephone is, after all, a married goddess, and so Theseus behaviour towards her would not only have been considered immoral but also impious (Diod. The cult believed that Asclepius had resurrected Hippolytus and that he lived in a sacred forest near Aricia in Latium. Theseus came to the heart of the Labyrinth and upon the sleeping Minotaur. This has helped me defend my time and maximize productivity during work hours.. King of Athens; buries sword and shoes under rock for his son, Theseus, to uncover when he's old and strong enough. Such philosophical questions about the nature of identity are sometimes referred to as the "Ship of Theseus" paradox. Thus Theseus was raised in his mother's land. This divinity was rumored to be Theseus' father. The numerous heroic deeds ascribed to him were seen by the ancient Athenians as the acts that led to the birth of democracy in the Attic city-state, the cradle of Greek democracy. But, if left to my own devices, I can talk for days instead of working. Soon after his arrival in Athens, Theseus sailed off as one of the fourteen tributes dedicated to the Minotaur. Athenians, people who valued thought and ideas, chose him and not Hercules as their hero. This job interview question is an opportunity to make yourself stand out and highlight your soft skills while communicating your ability to self-regulate and grow.Recognize that every weakness is an opportunity for improvement. Theseuss Weaknesses: May have been a bit deceptive with Ariadne. Is University Of Canterbury Public Or Private? [ii] After Aethra became pregnant, Aegeus decided to return to Athens. This answer is a great example of avoiding extremes. Mythopedia. The myths of Theseus are described in Book 4. In Iliad I, Nestor numbers Pirithous and Theseus "of heroic fame" among an earlier generation of heroes of his youth, "the strongest men that Earth has bred, the strongest men against the strongest enemies, a savage mountain-dwelling tribe whom they utterly destroyed." Ive since added more structure to my day and installed a hard cut-off hour when Im done with work. Responses like this one communicate that you either: You want to come across as confident and competent in your answer, so save your jokes for Slack channels after youre hired. For Asimov, looking back in 1981, the laws were "obvious from the start" and "apply, as matter of course, to every tool that human beings use"; they were "the only way in which rational . Theseus, as usual, used his opponents method against him and threw Sciron off a cliff. Theseus became King of Athens after his fathers death. Hercules was much stronger than Theseus, but Theseus made up for this small loss in other ways. Achilles is killed by an arrow, shot by the Trojan prince Paris. Aegeus became suspicious of the stranger and consulted Medea, whom he had married after sleeping with Aethra. Pirithous took up his arms and the pair met to do battle but were so impressed with each other's gracefulness, beauty and courage they took an oath of friendship[11] and joined the Calydonian boar hunt. Theseus weakness was that he liked danger. [v] Like the others, Theseus was stripped of his weapons when they sailed. The fifth-century BCE poet Bacchylides tells a story of how Theseus proved that he was the son of Poseidon by diving into the sea and retrieving a ring that had been tossed into it by King Minos (Bacchylides, Ode 17). Recruiters want to know why you want the job and why youre leaving your current role. Read this guide and learn how to negotiate like a pro. Being strong and skillful, he did very well, winning some events outright. How did he get out of trouble? Homer: Theseus is named among the dead Greek heroes in the Underworld in Book 11 of the Odyssey (eighth century BCE). In another version, King Minos had waged war with the Athenians and was successful. You should avoid naming weaknesses that paint you as a risky hire or incapable of fulfilling the job description. You cant control what they think. That he liked Danger . When responding to What are your weaknesses? best answers include: I can sometimes be impatient when working with others. According to some, Theseus simply abandoned her. But following the instructions of Athena in a dream, Aethra left the sleeping Aegeus and waded across to the island of Sphairia that lay close to Troezen's shore. Hercules come to rescue him from the underworld. Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History: A work of universal history, covering events from the creation of the cosmos to Diodorus own time (mid-first century BCE). People appreciate my honesty. 73 terms. Theseus. You can avoid unflattering answers by focusing on weaknesses that show: Theres no template for crafting your response, but the following examples are strong building blocks that show our tips in action. [13] Little else is known of the festivals or worship of Theseus. Before these monsters, the hero's courage failed and he was led away to eternal punishment. She was daughter of Zeus, either by Leda or by Nemesis, and sister of the Dioscuri. On the way to Marathon, Theseus took shelter from a storm in the hut of an ancient woman named Hecale. As he sat on the cliff's edge and washed the feet of the man who had only moments ago threatened to kill him, he peered over the rocky drop-off and saw a tremendous turtle waiting in the water beneath the cliff. As an old man, Theseus fell out of favor in Athens. This type of response tells the recruiter you know whats expected of the position and whats necessary to do a great job. His father Aegeus is king of Athens, but Theseus grows up in southern Greece with his mother. Theseus also had a weakness for women, to whom he was not always loyal. Identify and list your real weaknesses. His agility and quickness of mind make him a great warrior. Pittheus understood the prophecy, got Aegeus drunk, and gave Aegeus his daughter Aethra.[4]. After an extended leave of absence, reentering the workforce can be scary. Theseus was said to have been responsible for the synoikismos (dwelling-together), the political and cultural unification of the region of Attica under the rule of the city-state of Athens. But the specific way you struggled, the impact that had, and your current approach will be what sets your answer apart. 423 BCE), where he helps retrieve and bury the bodies of the Argive heroes killed in the failed war of the Seven against Thebes.. Thankfully, you dont have to. few sentences explaining why the By the time he reaches Athens, he is known as a hero. This is something he will never recover from and builds his catharsis. the quality or state of being weak; also : an instance or period of being weak; fault, defect; a special desire or fondness See the full definition The myths of Theseus are treated in Book 3 of the Library and in the beginning of the Epitome. Best practices, research, and tools to fuel individual and business growth. Ovid: Theseus major exploits, including his battle with the Minotaur and his involvement in the Calydonian Boar Hunt, are treated in Book 8 of Ovids famous epic the Metamorphoses (ca. He tried to rise but could not. Theseus would have likely featured in some of Callimachus many other poems, such as the Aetia, but these are lost. There were likely other sanctuaries of Theseus in Athens by the fourth century BCE. [14] It was most likely located at the center of Athens, in the vicinity of the Agora. convention met. Oxford: Clarendon, 1997. His mother was Aethra, the daughter of King Pittheus of Troezen. Dont take the question seriously enough to answer it appropriately, Want to deflect because youre hiding something. What were Theseus weaknesses? (Plutarch, The theory, expounded as natural history by. To shift focus from personal areas of improvement, answer with something sensible that focuses on the job. Creon. According to Plutarch's Life of Theseus, the ship Theseus used on his return from Minoan Crete to Athens was kept in the Athenian harbor as a memorial for several centuries. The latest insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace. Overcome by grief, Aegeus killed himself by leaping into the sea (this is the origin, according to the Greeks, of the name of the Aegean Sea). Titanium, an elemental metal, is named after the Titans, who were . Instead of travelling to Athens by sea, Theseus decided to make a name for himself by taking the more dangerous overland route through the Greek Isthmus. [18], In yet another version, Phaedra simply told Theseus Hippolytus had raped her and did not kill herself. The reason Theseus went to Crete could have been more for the reason to get fame than to help Athens. Then, predict There are different versions of what happened to Ariadne there. On the surface, sacrificing your well-being for work may seem noble. He rejected her out of chastity. Zeus would help the other gods, goddesses, and mortals if they needed help, but would also invoke his wrath upon them if he felt they werent worthy of his help. Plutarch's Life of Theseus makes use of varying accounts of the death of the Minotaur, Theseus' escape, and his romantic involvement with and betrayal of Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. He asked the advice of his host Pittheus, king of Troezen. Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce. Eventually, however, Phaedra fell in love with Hippolytus, the son of Theseus first wife, Antiope. Heres what you need to know. Theseus father was either Poseidon, the god of the sea, or Aegeus, the king of Athens. Rose, H. J. Employers want to keep you for a long time, and they cant do that if youre away on stress leave. Wife of Theseus; sister of Ariadne; falls in love with her stepson Hippolytus, Son of Theseus and Antiope; cursed by Theseus and dies in a chariot accident. Ariadne weeps as Theseus' ship leaves her on the island of Naxos. Theseus was always seen as an important founding figure of Athenian history. Heres what interviewers look for in a response: Your response should address these three components. Plutarch's sources, not all of whose texts have survived independently, include Pherecydes (mid-fifthcenturyBCE), Demon (c. 400BCE), Philochorus, and Cleidemus (both fourthcenturyBCE). To preserve the purity of the occasion, no executions were permitted between the time when the religious ceremony began to when the ship returned from Delos, which took several weeks.[10]. At BetterUp, our coaches are trained to offer you tailored career advice based on your strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Theseus successfully retrieved these tokens and left for Athens to find his father. 100. She was also the sister of Clytemnestra, who married Agamemnon. A good weakness for job interviews shows introspection and growth, without interfering with your capacity to be a great addition to the company. The earliest references to the hero come from the Iliad and the Odyssey, the Homeric epics of the early eighth century B.C. Explain why you want to improve, and you'll appear more self-aware and empathetic. But, in my previous role, I realized constructive feedback can help others improve themselves so long as I approach them with kindness and empathy. Why does Theseus not want to travel by sea? Though the Theseion was probably the main center of Theseus hero-worship, little else is known about it, and there is still virtually no archaeological evidence of it. In this answer, you acknowledge how bluntness can make you a better communicator in the workplace in some contexts while demonstrating an understanding of when its better left out. Hades put him in his chair of forgetfulness, where his mind would go blank and they could not move. Its tempting to spin your weaknesses as your greatest strengths and vice versa. The Greek Myths. Theseus and Athens. The Athenians also wrote many tragedies concerning Theseus career which no longer survive. The semi-mythical, semi-historical Theseus was the great hero of ancient Athens. Admitting this fault and showing off your solution will help you earn the interviewers respect. If you can demonstrate this mindset in an interview, youll surely impress the recruiter and get that much closer to a job offer. [6] The ship on which he and the other tributes embarked had a black sail; before the ship left for Crete, Aegeus made Theseus swear that if he managed to return alive he would have the black sail changed to a white one. Strabo, Geography: An important 1st-century BCE resource for many local Greek myths and customs. Here are 10 examples of the best weaknesses to mention in a job interview: 1. Heracles also visited the underworld, but it was to fulfill one of the Herculean labors. Demetrius Phalereus was a distinguished orator and statesman, who governed Athens for a decade before being exiled, in 307 BCE. If you can link a weakness to an improvement plan, thats the one you should talk about with your interviewer. Plus, it allows me to focus on the other person without stressing about time while we chat.. Jorge Luis Borges short story The House of Asterion (published in Spanish in 1947) presents an interesting variation on the myth of the Minotaur, told from the perspective of the Minotaur rather than Theseus. He then goes on to unite Attica under Athenian rule: the synoikismos ('dwelling together'). [citation needed] Dionysus sent a wild bull that terrified Hippolytus's horses. Not many heroes are best known for their use of silk thread to escape a crisis, but it is true of Theseus. Managers want to work with people they can trust, so dont lie about your weaknesses during your job search. But you can control how you prepare for the interview and put your best foot forward. When this happens, it might feel like a trap. While among the Amazons, Theseus fell in love with their queen, Antiope (sometimes called Hippolyta),[8] and carried her off with him to Athens. Amazon woman; wife of Theseus; mother of Hippolytus. He is credited as a creator of democracy because he gave up some of his powers to the Assembly. The hero-cult of Theseus was almost certainly concentrated solely in the city of Athens. Hercules. According to some traditions, Theseus actually volunteered to go to Crete, vowing that he would kill the Minotaur and bring an end to the terrible tribute once and for all. The curse caused Hippolytus' horses to be frightened by a sea monster, usually a bull, and drag their rider to his death. Make clear your disorganization doesn't significantly impact your work, but it interferes with your environment just enough to require attention. Theseus took part in several other adventures. Theseus tried to help his friend kidnap the queen of the underworld and was trapped there for a long time due to his hubris. When it goes off, I know its time to get back to work. As the unifying king, he is credited with building a palace on the fortress of the Acropolis. Who was the daughter of Minos; helped Theseus find his way from the labyrinth; she gets left behind on Naxos? According to some versions of the story, Hippolytus had scorned Aphrodite to become a follower of Artemis, so Aphrodite made Phaedra fall in love with him as punishment. Before leaving, however, he buried his sandals and sword under a huge rock[iii] and told Aethra that when their son grew up, he should move the rock, if he were heroic enough, and take the tokens for himself as evidence of his royal parentage. Be prepared with a solution that demonstrates with a little extra effort, you have this weakness totally under control. The fourth-century BCE Athenian orator Isocrates also used this name (Isocrates, Panathenaicus 193). It was the offspring of Pasiphae, the wife of Minos, and a snow-white bull sent to Minos by the god Poseidon for sacrifice. Theseus also had a weakness for women, to whom he was not always loyal. The Minotaur was the offspring of the Cretan Queen Pasiphae and a majestic bull. 6. There he persuaded Persephone to forgive him for the part he had taken in the rash venture of Pirithous. On Pirithous's behalf they rather unwisely traveled to the underworld, domain of Persephone and her husband Hades. As he turned to cry out to his friend, he saw that Pirithous too was crying out. For example: if youre interviewing for a client relations job, a position-focused weakness is that you dont know your clients needs yet youll need time to set up meetings and get to know them better. When King Minos heard what had befallen his son, he ordered the Cretan fleet to set sail for Athens. Take a hard look at your skills and past experiences. Of course, the theme of betrayal gets flipped on its head when Phaedra betrays Theseus by passing love notes to his son, Hippolytus. Who Was The Highest Ranking Pilgrim In Canterbury Tales? Plutarch, Life of Theseus 15.1, quoting a lost tragedy by Euripides. Theseuss Strengths: Brave, strong, clever, good with disguise. In his iconography, Theseus is usually depicted as a handsome, strong, and beardless young hero. He made them fit his bed with a hammer or saw. Mills, Sophie. As quoted in the text So Medea went to Aegeus and convinved him that Theseus was dangerous- that he had come to Athens to steal Aegeus throne Showing the trait of manipulative and selfish. He then goes on to unite Attica under Athenian rule: the synoikismos ('dwelling together'). This made Zeus the strongest Greek god in Greek mythology. Plutarch, Life of Theseus 17.2; Apollodorus, Epitome 1.7. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(9253440, '05d3a1ec-acc5-4bff-9847-d33dd047e446', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); English | Sometimes, Im too hard on myself. Ive learned to push back against my inner voice by meditating before and after work. You have a natural sense of compassion ( you dont want to hurt a colleagues feelings), which makes you a more effective communicator. Theseus is said to have had a weakness which was being forgetful and also was known to be deceptive with Ariadne. For example: "I'm always trying to be a better leader. Interviews are about making a great impression. Your response should demonstrate self-awareness, and statements like those lack genuineness. Theseus. In A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. I find it difficult to delegate tasks when I know I can complete them myself. See also Plutarch, Life of Theseus 3.3. Theseus realized that this particular giant was . A Handbook of Greek Mythology. Hippolytus horses were frightened; he lost control of the chariot, became entangled in the reins, and was trampled to death. 2023. We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion. He was known for helping the poor and less fortunate and also founded modern-day democracy. The sons of Aegeus brother Pallas (often called the Pallantides) had hoped to inherit the throne if their uncle Aegeus died childless. Theseus punishes these criminals by doing to them what they did to their victims. They like the biggest weakness interview question because your answer says a lot about your work values. UK | They make micro-judgments based on your handshake, clothes, and other non-verbal factors. For many months in half-darkness, Theseus sat immovably fixed to the rock, mourning for both his friend and for himself. Neils, Jenifer. A cult grew up around Hippolytus, associated with the cult of Aphrodite. Most sources referred to the Amazon queen whom Theseus married as Antiope: Plutarch, Life of Theseus 26, 28; Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History 4.28; Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.2.1 and 1.41.7; Seneca, Phaedra 927ff; Hyginus, Fabulae 30. Helen's suitorsincluding Odysseus . Their queens were said to be the daughters of the war god Ares. At Eleusis, Theseus fought Cerycon, who challenged travellers to a wrestling match and killed whomever he defeated. Poseidon, unfortunately, heard Theseus prayer and sent a bull from the sea to charge Hippolytus as he was riding his chariot near the coast. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Read this student essay written about Greek mythology. We fear the challenges he faces- Minotaurs, bandits, becoming trapped in Hades- as well as his foolishness. Famously killing villains, Amazons, and centaurs, his most celebrated adventure was his slaying of the fearsome Minotaur of the Cretan king Minos. The secret to how to answer What are your weaknesses? lies in honesty, se, biggest weakness interview question bec, Accountability in the workplace is crucial, Being aware of and building on your weaknesses communicates youre always looking to, . Theseus could be thoughtless or hasty: his failure to follow his father Aegeus instructions when he came back from Crete caused Aegeus death, and his quick temper cost him the life of his son Hippolytus. But, when you land an interview, you still need to make a good first impression. Callimachus: Theseus is the most important character of the third-century BCE poet Callimachus Hecale, an epyllion (mini-epic) that told the story of Theseus stay with the old widow Hecale on his way to fight the Bull of Marathon. Mythology // Olympians - Symbols. His retribution was to stipulate that at the end of every Great Year, which occurred after every seven cycles on the solar calendar, the seven most courageous youths and the seven most beautiful maidens were to board a boat and be sent as tribute to Crete, never to be seen again. Before leaving Troezen, Aegeus hid a sword and sandals under a large stone. Rome: Giorgio Bretschneider Editore, 1987. When I started working remotely, I found it difficult to separate my work life from my home life. Forgetful. As he did so he felt his limbs change and grow stiff. As the most important hero of one of the most important ancient Greek cities, Theseus was well attested in the primary sources. Interviews can range from extremely formal to surprisingly casual. Hippolytus rejected her. But you also acknowledge that, if left unchecked, talking too much can interfere with productivity which takes a lot of courage to admit. London: Penguin, 1955. Medea, the Marathonian Bull, Androgeus, and the Pallantides, Abduction of Persephone and encounter with Hades. Palamon. In 475 BCE, in response to an oracle, Cimon of Athens, having conquered Skyros for the Athenians, identified as the remains of Theseus "a coffin of a great corpse with a bronze spear-head by its side and a sword." Theseus maternal grandfather, Pittheus, was a son of Pelops and thus the grandson of the infamous Tantalus, whose hubris literally earned him a special place in Hell. Theseus killed Sinis using this same method. Weakness definition, the state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness. With careful preparation, you can navigate these questions by pivoting to your strengths and emphasizing your value to the company. FR. What was Theseus' weakness? Theseus, like the hero Heracles, travelled widely and slew fearsome monsters before becoming king. Theseus shows his bravery by entering the Labyrinth with only his hands and a ball of thread determined to kill the Minotaur and save his people. Pausanias reports that after synoikismos, Theseus established a cult of Aphrodite ('Aphrodite of all the People') on the southern slope of the Acropolis. Morford, Mark P. O., Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. 19 terms. Who Is The Famous King In Canterbury Tales? The fourth and tenth letters of Ovids epistolary Heroides are also addressed to Theseus: in Heroides 4, Phaedra confesses her infatuation with Theseus son Hippolytus, and in Heroides 10, Ariadne reproaches Theseus for deserting her on Naxos. To preserve the ship, any wood that wore out or rotted was replaced; it was thus unclear to philosophers how much of the original ship remained, giving rise to the philosophical question of whether it should be considered "the same" ship or not. Theseus was furious and prayed to Poseidon that Hippolytus might be punished. To journey to Athens, Theseus could choose to go by sea (which was the safe way) or by land, following a dangerous path around the Saronic Gulf, where he would encounter a string of six entrances to the Underworld,[iv] each guarded by a chthonic enemy.