Confrontation Between Bellerophon And The Chimaera example essay topic

As unlikely as it sounds today in 2003 AD, back in mythological times Bellerophon of Corinth became a courageous hero because of a murder he committed. In those times one could be purified of a crime by countering it with a good deed of equal magnitude. And so it was the orders of King Proetus that determined Bellerophon's fate. To relieve himself of his crimes against humanity, he was commanded to kill again. King Proetus had a few tasks in mind for Bellerophon. His first was to deliver a letter to King Iobates.

Bellerophon did as he was commanded and the next day found himself standing face to face with King Iobates. When the king opened the letter, it read "Dear Iobates do me a favor and kill the person who delivers this letter". This however proved to be impossible. Given Iobates situation, he feasted Bellerophon for many days and nights, until he finally announced that he had a favor to ask of him. Bellerophon was to destroy the kingdom of the Chimaera, as well as the Chimaera itself. This came as quite a shock to Bellerophon, as he was expecting a task along the lines of returning a letter to Proetus.

Chimaera was a fire breathing beast with three heads, a lion, a goat, and a serpent. Killing it seemed quite impossible to Bellerophon. Iobates was extremely pleased with himself, as he realized this task would no doubt bring death to Bellerophon, thus he would complete the request of King Proetus as well as meeting his own wishes. Bellerophon was not sure if this task would be the death of him or not, but he was wiling because if he succeeded it would mean his redemption. Bellerophon recognized that slaying the Chimaera was no easy task; many others had tried before.

He did some extensive research about those unsuccessful attempts. The most unsuccessful of those were made by people who attacked the Chimaera by foot. So the first plan was to either attack by air or by sea. Bellerophon also noticed that the geography of the Chimaera's lair was quite far away from any body of water, so the obvious attack plan would be by air. The only way to make this happen was to get himself a flying steed... enter Pegasus. Ever since Bellerophon was a drooling child, he had fantasized of riding the magical winged horse.

Regretfully neither he, nor anyone else had ridden him, let alone approach him. Not knowing what to do, he decided to go spend the night in Athena's temple in hopes that she would visit him in his dreams and give him some insight. While he was deep in sleep, the goddess came to him and gave him a golden bridal for Pegasus. The next morning Bellerophon went searching for Pegasus, and found him drinking water at the spring of Pe irene. Heart racing, he cautiously walked up and slipped the gleaming bridal onto the magical horse, rendering him tame, and able to ride. Shocked that Pegasus had not put up a fight, he mounted Pegasus and rode off into the morning mist.

His transportation now taken care of, the next priority on the list was weaponry. He chose a sword and shield, then realizing that he might as well use marshmallows, he looked for something else. The weapon that he settled on was a spear, short enough to maneuver on horseback, but long enough to jab the monster. On the end of his spear sat a lump of lead that could be thrust into one of the Chimaera's throats, causing it to choke.

When it would try to clear its throat with a breath of fire, the lead would melt into its stomach, leaving it with a fiery case of indigestion. All preparation done, only the actual task remained. He easily flew on Pegasus back to the Chimaera's fiery lair. The confrontation between Bellerophon and the Chimaera was short because at the first roar of the Chimaera, Bellerophon thrust the spear down it's throat. After minutes of coughing and gagging, the Chimaera fell to it's death. With his exciting news Bellerophon returned to King Iobates.

However Iobates was less than excited because Bellerophon was still living. Nonetheless, he pseudo-congratulated Bellerophon on his great victory. Allowing Bellerophon a few days rest, King Iobates announced that he had yet another dangerous task for Bellerophon. He was to wipe out the Amazon tribe of women warriors. They were a fearsome tribe, but no match for Bellerophon atop his flying steed. It took him only hours to conquer the fearsome tribe.

Iobates was still determined to do in his guest, so he sent two soldiers to ambush him on his way back to his kingdom. This too proved unsuccessful, so Iobates accepted defeat, and regretfully gave up half his kingdom and his daughter's hand in marriage. Bellerophon came from being an ordinary citizen to having half a kingdom, a beautiful wife, and being a "hero". He was relieved of his crimes and lived a leisurely life in peace.

He eventually became so powerful that he considered himself a god.