Morals in Myths

Many Greek and Roman myths have very specific morals associated with the story. The depictions of many of these tales similarly show both specific morals and how one may be punished for the wrong choices. In Sisyphus, the moral of not cheating death is shown through his punishment, pushing a rock up a mountain until the end of time. Though this is clearly not an examination of the female figure, it does focus on his musculature and how he is trying to move the rock. In Allegory of Virtue and Vice, Hercules is making his choice between Virtue and Vice. He is moving towards Virtue, seeming to have already been scratched by Vice's claws. This painting clearly shows a moral, that choosing Virtue will lead to eventual true happiness, no matter how enticing Vice seems.