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Heracles (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)

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Herakles (HEHR-uh-kleez), the Greek hero who passes, through suffering, from the courage of outward physical strength to internal courage raised against intolerable necessity and based on true friendship. During the first third of the play, he does not appear, but Amphitryon, his father; his wife, Megara; his small sons; and the Chorus attest his heroism and express the increasing fear that he is dead. He has gone to Hades to capture Cerberus, the last of his labors to be performed. He appears suddenly, just before Lycus, usurper of the throne of Thebes,...

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