John Brown & Heracles

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Receiving Redemption Heracles is an ancient Greek Hero while John Brown is well remembered as being a human hero who worked for the freedom of slaves, but both of their tales are of redemption. Through many events and characteristics resemblances and distinctions are recognized between their “heroic” qualities and lifestyles. They are two individuals both seeking redemption resulting from some drastic event. Heracles seeks individual redemption, while John brown seeks societies salvation. From tragedy to life prosperity, Brown and Heracles became heroes of their time. Heracles is a strong man known to have some anger issues but he is also extremely determined. There is a point in his life when he is frustrated with Hera and in a sudden outbreak of anger he kills his wife and children. As a result, he grieves for a little, but he does not let his emotions affect his living. In turn, he seeks salvation from his terrible act of violence. He proceeds to travel to Delphi where he receives his Twelve Labors. If he completes these twelve tasks he will receive redemption, which is his ultimate goal. Throughout his life, he wants to be a Greek god. Since he was born of a human mother (Alcemena) and a Greek god (Zeus), he cannot be a god because in order to be a god he must be born of two god’s descent. Much like Heracles, John Brown worked for redemption as well. He states, “ I pledge myself with God’s help that I will devote my life to increasing hostility towards slavery.” He grows up with parents that work to abolish slavery and from their influence he does the same. Angered by the idea of enslavement, he does his efforts to rescue as many African Americans as possible. This illustrates his ability to be strong for fighting such an immense issue of his time. As mentioned, anger is a common grown between these two men. Heracles displays mental intelligence when

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