Research Paper on a myth based book or a movie (preferably a movie)

The myth of Minotaur is one of the most tragic and fascinating myths of Greek mythology. As far as my view goes I feel it was a grave mistake on part of Minos that led to a series of mistakes one after the other. Firstly, Minos was an arrogant man who broke his vow of sacrificing the bull that appeared from the sea to Poseidon and sacrificed a different bull instead. We should never displease the Gods because their curse can lead to many other problems. This led to Poseidon getting angry. He instilled a passion in King Minos's wife Pasiphae the bull with the help of Aphrodite. Pasiphae took help of Daedalus and Icarus, who made a wooden cow, which helped her to unite with the bull, and gave birth to a monster Minotaur. Comment by Dipanjan Maitra: It is always possible to say that myth uphold the power of the gods. But it’s always more interesting if you can find other issues being explored in the myth. Looking at Minos’ ‘sin’ as something that led to other errors one after another is a significant point indeed. Think of all the myths where this is a recurrent theme, how the final tragedy is always a culmination of many sins, many errors.

Now Daedalus and Icarus were enslaved by king Minos who was enraged with them for helping the queen. The monster child was spared which was another grave mistake by the king. As Minotaur grew, his appetite reached to an extent where he started eating people. The king was already embarrassed by his wife's disgraceful affair. So to hide the monster child he ordered Daedalus and Icarus to construct the Grand Labyrinth. Meanwhile Minos's son Androgeus was killed by Athenians who were jealous of his victories at the Panathenaic festival. This made Minos furious and he ordered Aegeus, the king of Athens, to send seven Athenian beautiful youths and seven virgin maidens every year that would be fed to Minotaur.

After some time Theseus, son of king Aegeus, volunteered to join the youths with the sole purpose of killing Minotaur. Against his father's wishes he left promising that he would return in a boat with white sails if he succeeded. If he lost the boat would be carrying black sails. After reaching Crete he fell in love with Minos' daughter Ariadne. She helped him in escaping from the labyrinth after he killed Minotaur. While returning to Athens Theseus was so engrossed in celebrating the death of Minotaur that he forgot to change the black sails of the boat to white. When his father saw the boat with black sails he was so shocked that he committed suicide by jumping in the sea. Theseus lost his father for no reason at all. If Minotaur had been killed at birth itself all these incidents could have been avoided. So many maidens and youths and King Aegeus would have not have lost their lives. Comment by Dipanjan Maitra: You have mostly retold the myth. It was more important to interpret it in your own way and write what you thought about it.GRADE: B

This is my response with my professor’s comments. Just read the Minotaur myth before you write the response. You got to do different than what I did. If any questions please do contact me.