The first two tales establish a fast-paced and engaging approach to the Greek myths, condensing them into much shorter stories than the originals. In the Introduction, Hawthorne laments that many versions of the Greek myths contain “abhorrent” events, and to make them more suitable for children, he’ll “purify” them. This note reflects Hawthorne’s desire to create heroic examples rather than complex characters and thereby make the stories more appropriate for children. By claiming that his tales preserve the core truths of the original myths, Hawthorne tries to persuade readers that his interpretations have a higher moral standard than the originals without changing anything important about the characters or plots.

Hawthorne imbues his storytelling with this morality by emphasizing the heroes’ good qualities. By showing how Theseus must work to earn his inheritance as the son of a king, the author establishes the theme of Achieving One’s Destiny Through Initiative and Hard Work. For instance, being the son of King Aegeus isn’t enough for Theseus to automatically inherit his father’s gifts. Instead, he must work tirelessly to build the strength necessary to move the massive boulder, and only then can he discover what his father left for him underneath the rock: “[A]gain and again the rosy-checked and curly-headed boy would tug and strain at the huge mass of stone, striving […] to do what a giant could hardly have done without taking both of his great hands to the task” (1). Theseus embraces this work, continuing it even after he earns his father’s gifts by moving the rock. He takes the initiative to travel on the dangerous roads to Athens, eager to help others by ridding the road of robbers and monsters. By sharing that Theseus “did not consider himself above doing any good thing that came in his way,” the author presents him as a humble and hard-working young man rather than an entitled prince (3).

Theseus’s actions introduce the theme of Compassion and Responsibility as Heroic Qualities. As a young man with incredible strength and ability, armed with a sword, Theseus has the power to do great acts. By using this strength to help others, Theseus embodies the ideal of the responsible and compassionate leader. For instance, he could sail to Athens easily and safely, but chooses to travel by road, confronting dangerous villains along the way: “It is enough to say, that he quite cleared that part of the country of the robbers about whom King Pittheus had been so much alarmed” (3). Theseus even kills a feral pig that has been threatening the locals’ farms. The pig was “the terror of all the farmers round about” (3), and by killing it, Theseus helps save the farms and feed their families. By helping the local farmers with this more menial task, Theseus shows his genuine interest in the welfare of others, and not just the glory and heroics of slaying monsters.

In Athens, Theseus continues to show his care for others by volunteering to challenge the Minotaur and save the Athenian children from being sacrificed to the monster. His sense of service shows that he considers his position as a prince of Athens one of responsibility to help protect its people. He encourages his father to let him go on this difficult mission, comparing himself to any other child of Athens and emphasizing their family’s responsibility to the city: “And you, my father, being king over these people, and answerable to Heaven for their welfare, are bound to sacrifice what is dearest to you, rather than that the son or daughter of the poorest citizen should come to any harm” (9). King Aegeus agrees, calling Theseus a “a good and valiant son” (9). Theseus’s act of caring for the children of Athens ultimately saves their lives, as he manages to kill the Minotaur, ending the annual child sacrifice. His traits of responsibility and compassion make him a good leader for the city after his father’s death, as he “became a very excellent monarch, and was greatly beloved by his people” (17).

In addition, the tales of Theseus and the Pygmies introduce the theme of Using Violence for Moral Good. The text shows how different characters embrace violent conflict for different purposes, suggesting that villains commit violent acts for selfish reasons, while heroes use violence to protect themselves or others. For instance, the scheming nephews of King Aegeus and his murderous wife, Medea, plan to kill Theseus for their self-serving scheme to attain the crown. The text describes her cunning plan to poison Theseus with wine: “The goblet was set on a table beside the king’s throne; and a fly, meaning just to sip a little from the brim, immediately tumbled into it, dead. Observing this, Medea looked round at the nephews, and smiled again” (4). Likewise, King Minos prioritizes his own power, requiring the sacrifice of 14 Athenian children to the Minotaur to pacify the beast and remain enthroned on his island. The ultimate villain, the Minotaur, embraces violent conflict as a way of life, preying on innocents by eating them alive. Even Antaeus, the simple giant, challenges Hercules to a fight to maintain complete control over his territory.

In contrast, the heroes of these tales fight or kill only to protect themselves or others. For instance, the Pygmies challenge Hercules to a fight out of loyalty to their friend Antaeus, who was always kind to them. Their attacks on Hercules are depicted as brave and noble, since they’re at a great disadvantage against him and are trying to protect their land from this strange outsider. A courageous Pygmy tells Hercules from the palm of his hand, “You have slain the enormous Antaeus, our brother by the mother’s side, and for ages the faithful ally of our illustrious nation. We are determined to put you to death; […] I challenge you to instant battle, on equal ground” (27). Theseus uses violent conflict to protect or avenge others. While traveling to Athens, he kills the magical villain Procrustes and hurls the robber Scinis off a cliff, thereby protecting all travelers from their sadistic tortures.

Theseus’s most famous battle is with the Minotaur, a depraved bull-man who lives in the labyrinth beneath Crete. Theseus’s pity for the beast reveals his strong moral code, and Hawthorn’s narration emphasizes the monster’s lonely and sick nature: “[E]very human being who suffers any thing evil to get into his nature, or to remain there, is a kind of Minotaur, an enemy of his fellow-creatures, and separated from all good companionship, as this poor monster was” (14). Theseus’s victory over the Minotaur is catalyzed by another hero: Ariadne. By helping him escape his cell and giving him the silken string to hold in the labyrinth, Ariadne plays a significant role in the conflict against the Minotaur. Hawthorne presents Ariadne’s help as a necessary support system for Theseus’s efforts: “Bold as he was, […] I rather fancy that it strengthened his valiant heart, just at this crisis, to feel a tremulous twitch at the silken cord […] It was as if Ariadne were giving him all her might and courage” (14). Ariadne’s actions reveal her own selflessness, as she prioritizes the children’s welfare over her own safety and convenience. Like the Pygmies and Theseus, Ariadne only supports violent solutions to stop harm to others.