Before Theseus was born, his father, King Aegeus, placed a sword and a pair of sandals under a rock for Theseus to lift and retrieve when he was older and stronger. When Theseus comes of age, he lifts the rock and then goes to his father to claim himself as the king's son. After meeting his father, Theseus decides that he must prove to himself that he is worthy of being the heir to the throne (Hamilton 209). A true hero is someone who bravely and humbly sets out on an adventure to help their community despite the dangers, who trusts others and themselves, and who thinks carefully before moving forward with a plan. Because Theseus is strong, noble, humble and intelligent, he can be considered a true hero. Theseus displays true heroism when he bravely offers to save his city, trusts others and his strengths, and remains humble throughout his life. Theseus shows courage when he suggests going to the Minotaur's cave, which makes him a true hero. When the Athenians ask the youth to go to the Minotaur's cave, Theseus immediately volunteers, and the Athenians admire his nobility and courage for this act (Hamilton 212). Theseus knows full well that the Minotaur has killed many people in the past, and it is very likely that he could slaughter him as well. Since Theseus is brave, he continues to suggest going to the Minotaur's cave. The Athenians “loved him for his goodness and admired him for his nobility…” (212). Being noble can also lead to being proud. Having pride can sometimes be bad, but without pride, Theseus could not have given his life. When Theseus arrives at the cave, “he boldly entered the labyrinth in search of the Minotaur” (212). Bold is another word for courageous. Theseus bravely walks towards the opportunity to...... middle of paper ...... and show the people around him how being humble is the greatest characteristic of a true hero which happens to be Theseus. Because Theseus is courageous, trusts others and his own abilities, and is humble during his hunt for the Minotaur and for the rest of his ascension, Theseus displays the traits of a true hero. His courage when volunteering to be a victim of the Minotaur shows a hero's quality, so he can be an inspiration and example to others. Because he trusts the people around him and himself, he is a genuine person that people can look up to. Humility is the most difficult trait in a person, but it is one of the easiest traits to see in someone else. After killing the Minotaur, Theseus remains humble. This leads Theseus to become a great leader for the city of Athens. A great hero must be a great leader. Works Cited Mythology of Edith Hamilton