Essay: Mary Renault’s The King Must Die

Mary Renault’s The King Must Die is an adaption of the early life and times of the Greek mythological hero Theseus. It’s the first person story of Theseus, written in reflection by the hero later in life and Renault used the legend and historical fact to write a story that’s psychologically as well as historically realistic. In doing this, she successfully creates a fictional story about the hero which could been the basis for the ancient myth.
In this tale of bravery and coming-of-age, Theseus is portrayed as the greatest Athenian hero. Everything he does throughout the story is in honor of the Gods. In the beginning of the story, he believes himself the son of a god (Poseidon). While he was in service to Poseidon at his temple, and being bullied by another youth, he is asked who his father is. “With a bold front and sinking belly, he answered, “Poseidon. That is why I am here.” (20). He certainly believes in the supernatural, and that he has an exceptional relationship with Poseidon, God of the Sea. Throughout this heroes tale, he shows great bravery and endurance. He goes on many quests and defeats many powerful beings despite the odds against him in many cases. He is driven by fate and faith. His entire existence is determined by the Gods from above and below that guide his life’s path.He earns his fame and the loyalty of his people defeating numerous foes, including the minotaur.
Renault includes many details from classical myth in her writing, however she adds details to the story which leave the reader with questions about mythological events and characters. For example, in regards to Theseus’ parentage, he may or may not be the son of Poseidon, but Poseidon speaks to him. When Theseus dove into the sea after Asterion’s ring, he “heard a roaring in his ears, like waves beating on a shingle. “You boasted of me, Theseus,” said the voice of the sea “but did you pray to me?” (188) We find out later in the story that he is, in fact, the son of a very powerful and fearsome king and a virgin queen, however, the reason he hears Poseidon is never fully explained. Another unexplained aspect of the tale is Theseus’ ability to foresee earthquakes (23, 293). We may interpret the earthquake warning as a natural thing and the times he heard the sea-surge in his ears as just his own blood thundering, but no reason is given for either in the story. Near the end of the story, the reader is again left wondering when Theseus and Ariadne are on the island of Dia and Theseus leaves Ariadne there after promising her father that he would always take care of her. Theseus says, “But she opened her palm, and then I saw what she was holding. I turned and leaned upon an olive tree, and almost threw up the heart from my body.” (323) Renault does not tell what was in Ariadne’s hand, but leaves the reader to assume it was some part of the King of Naxos who was sacrificed, perhaps his heart. Though there are many instances of unexplained circumstances or endings, what we are able to understand is that to Theseus, the gods are real. Not only does he hear Poseidon, he gets aid from Apollo because of the sacrifices he makes to him. He lives in a world of luck (good for him), fate, magic, and most of all destiny.
Renault also tells a tale in which all prophecies come true. There are a number of prophecies in the book. One example is that the myrtle grove will hatch the cuckoo’s chick. When Theseus comes to Eleusis on the day when the current Eleusian king must die, he unknowingly proclaims himself the child of the myrtle grove (68), and of course, he is the cuckoo’s chick and overturns the custom. Then there’s the prophecy Medea makes, poetically expressed “You will cross water to dance in blood. You will be King of the victims. You will tread the maze through fire, and you will tread it through darkness. Three bulls are waiting for you, son of Aigeus. The Earth Bull, and the Man Bull, and the Bull from the Sea.” (130) all of which comes true in every detail. Then there’s the omen of marrying the sea. All the omens and prophecies in the story come true. Even the consciously faked prophecies Ariadne makes in Crete are fulfilled. There are faked prophecies but no false ones.
Renault weaves fantasy and myth throughout the story in a way that holds the audience captive. She does this by using myth to create the story she is telling, however, she only uses the parts she wants to. She keeps things like the labyrinth and the thread but makes the minotaur human. She tells a story of a hero who does not have a God-complex, rather one who honorable with a strong sense of duty and selflessness. Theseus might not always be sympathetic, but he feels real: he’s a young man trying to find his place in the world, and Renault shows us both Theseus’ shortcomings and strengths even though she tells the story through a first-person narration. It is this constant combination of myth and archaeological fact that makes the world of ancient Greece come alive for the audience.
Mary Renault uses her profound understanding of ancient Greece culture and history to offer rational explanations of the Greek myths. She achieves this by combining myth with archeological fact while incorporating aspects of her audience’s modern ideals, value and culture. The historical aspect to this story is very realistic and true to its age and time. The combination of fascinating characters and an action-packed, thrilling tale with historical credibility truly did enhance my interest in and understanding of ancient Greek mythology and culture.
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