# Theseus explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology

> Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch.

## What happens

The chapter recounts the life and adventures of Theseus, son of Aegeus, king of Athens. It describes his heroic journey from Troezen to Athens, where he defeats several villains including Procrustes, escapes poisoning by Medea, and is acknowledged as his father's successor. Theseus then volunteers as tribute to Crete, slays the Minotaur with Ariadne's help, but abandons her on Naxos. He forgets to change his ship's sails, causing his father's suicide, and becomes king. Further exploits include war with the Amazons, friendship with Pirithous, abduction of Helen, descent to the underworld, marriage to Phaedra, and the tragic death of his son Hippolytus. The chapter ends with Theseus's death and the institution of the Panathenaea festival.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and the Quest

Theseus embarks on a perilous journey to Athens, defeats numerous villains, and volunteers to slay the Minotaur, embodying the heroic quest.

### Fate and Free Will

Theseus's choices, such as forgetting to change the sails, lead to his father's suicide, highlighting the interplay of fate and personal actions.

### Love and Transformation

Ariadne's love for Theseus aids his victory, but his abandonment of her reflects love's transformative and tragic aspects.

## Character check-ins

### Theseus

Protagonist; son of Aegeus and Aethra; performs heroic deeds, slays the Minotaur, becomes king of Athens.

### Medea

Sorceress and wife of Aegeus; attempts to poison Theseus but flees when discovered.

### Jupiter

Mentioned as the father of Helen and Pirithous's intended bride; Theseus and Pirithous aspire to marry daughters of Jupiter.

### Neptune

Invoked by Theseus to curse Hippolytus; sends a sea-monster that causes Hippolytus's death.

### Minerva

Appears to Theseus in a dream commanding him to abandon Ariadne; patron deity of Athens honored at the Panathenaea.

### Hercules

Mentioned as a model for Theseus; later liberates Theseus from the underworld.

### Proserpine

Wife of Pluto; Pirithous aspires to marry her, leading to his and Theseus's descent to the underworld.

### Pluto

King of the underworld; captures Theseus and Pirithous, setting them on an enchanted rock.

## Key lines

> Theseus was the son of Aegeus, king of Athens, and of Aethra, daughter of the king of Troezen.

Theseus was born to Aegeus, the Athenian king, and Aethra, a princess of Troezen.

_Introduces Theseus's lineage and birthplace._

> He was successful, slew the Minotaur, escaped from the labyrinth, and taking Ariadne as the companion of his way, with his rescued companions sailed for Athens.

Theseus killed the Minotaur, found his way out of the labyrinth using Ariadne's thread, and sailed back to Athens with Ariadne and the rescued youths.

_Summarizes the climax of the Cretan adventure._

> On approaching the coast of Attica, Theseus forgot the signal appointed by his father, and neglected to raise the white sails, and the old king, thinking his son had perished, put an end to his own life.

As Theseus neared Athens, he failed to hoist the white sails as agreed, leading his father Aegeus to believe he was dead and to commit suicide.

_Describes the tragic misunderstanding that results in Aegeus's death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/theseus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters