The book unfolds the adventurous life of the Athenian hero Theseus from his birth to his old age. We learn of his different exploits and acts of bravery (slaying giants, fighting the Minotaur), as well as his mistakes and flawed relationship with others (the Amazon queen Hippolyta, his son). Through the story of Theseus expedition to Crete, to fight the Minotaur, two more characters are introduced, Daedalus and Icarus. Their story, especially their fatal flight is interwoven with Theseus’ fight with the Minotaur.

What makes a hero? This is the question that forms the heart of this book, which is a part of a “heroes” series. The prevailing theme of this book is the examination of Theseus’ status as a hero and its broader meaning. Why is Theseus a hero? Throughout the book, it seems as if the author is questioning Theseus’ heroism, especially due to his excessive pride and poor treatment of others, especially women. Theseus is described as hurting, even deceiving Ariadne, whom he did not really love and intended to marry. He badly hurts the noble Hippolyta and eventually pays for this mistreatment by the cruel act of Phaedra, which makes him order the killing of his son. When McCaughrean describes his various acts, she emphasizes how he waited for divine approval and she occasionally mentions his pride in the story. While this is a book for adolescents, the author nonetheless does not try to gloss over all of Theseus’ acts. On the contrary, she creates a stimulating and subtle discussion about pride, character and heroism. She does so by showing Theseus’ actions not as motivated by the need to defend others, but as means to elevate himself. The preface of the story also alludes to the author’s intent.

Although Theseus is a mythical hero, it is questionable as to whether he can be considered heroic in a modern sense from his actions. He slays giants in order to win fame, rather than to help the common good, as the author clearly emphasizes. Although this was a common trait for mythological heroes, the author chooses to emphasize Theseus’ vanity. In fact, the readers might find that the Theseus who emerges from the story is not a sympathetic character at all. While younger readers will be attracted by his adventures and his combat against various creatures more attentive readers might possibly question his motive and overall behaviour. The author might be trying to present a conflict between what was considered heroic and what is the modern assumption of one. It is clear from the story that she deems character more important than physical prowess.

At a preface to the story, the author inserts a paragraph that provides a caveat to the idea of Theseus as a hero: “Congratulations. You must be proud of yourself. Yes, surely! Looking back, everyone can think of things they have achieved…actions to be proud of…look at Theseus...but Theseus was a hero, after all, and a hero needs a broader gangway through the world. People should step back and let him pass...and yet…a hero should give credit where it’s due and preserve a kind of modesty. Otherwise he…be cursed by the gods for the sin of pride.” While this note is not a part of the actual narrative, it nonetheless sums up the author’s main moral of the story. It refers quite cynically to the conceit of heroes (people should let them pass), and it also hits at Theseus’s sin of pride, which will become the main theme of the story.

The author tells the readers that they may also consider themselves heroes, based on their actions, but she also reminds them that not all actions are perfect and some are lamentable, even those of a renowned hero like Theseus. This teaches the readers that they should not be blinded by titles; being called a “hero”, does not entitle a person to act haughtily. Everyone can be a hero, but it is more important to be gracious and modest.

We first learn of Theseus’ pride form his mother, who complains to Hercules “Theseus! How often must I tell you? Don’t brag. I’m sorry Hercules, but there’s a streak of pride in the boy that the gods would frown on if they saw it.” (p. 12). Aethra’s words are a hidden prophecy which continues throughout Theseus’s life. For this reason, the author emphasizes on each occasions that Theseus performs some act of conventional bravery (fighting a dangerous enemy), he immediately seeks recognition and applause: “when he saw what he had done and how easily he had done it, Theseus gave a great leap in the air and spread his hands toward heaven as if to say, ‘Did you see? Were you watching?’” (p. 24). Pride is Theseus’ constant companion, even in his encounter with King Minos (p. 57). This sentiment never leaves Theseus and only increases as he grows more successful. 

A powerful example of the destructive force of pride is presented in the story of Daedalus and Icarus. Icarus, who likened himself to the god Hermes, soon fell from the sky. While Theseus and Icarus are very distinct, they both share the same flaw. Icarus’ end is a foretelling of a similar end awaiting Theseus; he will also metaphorically fall form the sky, from the highest position to nothingness.

Even as an old man, Theseus refuses to acknowledge reality; “In his pride, Theseus did not notice that his own bright hair was graying…and that heroes, when there are no monsters left to fight, grow old like ordinary men.” (p. 86). Here again the author pokes the hot air balloon of heroism, by making the heroism hollow and completely reliant on others, namely monsters. Heroes are ordinary men who simply faced unordinary circumstances and triumphed, but they are not superior to others. In the end, proud Theseus is depicted pitifully, sitting alone on a beach beside a fire, while his own pride consumes him. Theseus does not die in the story, yet he is just sitting pathetically alone on the beach: “sailors passing by in ships sometimes saw him sitting beside a fire on the beach and hailed him and waved greetings. But Theseus was far too proud to wave back.” (p. 102). His was a pathetic end, unworthy of a true hero, but it was the ultimate reward for his conceit. Theseus distances himself from human society and prefers his loneliness.

Thus this book, rather than applauding the adventures of a mythical hero, has a pedagogical mission to emphasize the flawed character of Theseus, and make the readers think more deeply about his acts and their consequences, rather than simply focusing on action and battles. Being a hero is not as glorious as it may seem, and what counts at the end, is not how many monsters you have slayed, but how you treated the people closest to you in your life.