JACK 
While Helen of Troy is probably one of the more famous characters in Greek Mythology as the most beautiful woman in the world, according to the Iliad, Hector, Warrior Prince of that same city deserves his citation in a footnote also, as the most lionized combatant and Defender of the city. Honoured as the Knave of Diamonds, the first-born son of the King Priam, and heir to the Trojan throne, Hector enjoyed all the riches and privileges of the Royal House.
Hector, is portrayed as a reluctant participant in 10 Year Trojan War, but still emerges as a prominent combatant and champion for the home side, assuring victory and glory in several important warlike encounters. His fame is legendary, as he is revered as a champion, and loved by all of his realm, and held in high esteem even by his enemies. Hector is thus befittingly dreaded and abhorred by the Greek invaders, who have long witnessed his conquests and unwavering ferocity in battle. On his namesake card, his downcast, resigned look (perhaps indicative of his known destiny) is accompanied by a huge sword in scabbard.
Traditional Greek literature is rife with descriptions of the siege, and the subsequent destruction of Troy. Mythographers write in great detail about the constant meddling of the Gods into humans’ affairs, spinning a spider’s web of intrigue, first leading to the death of Patroclus(dressed incognito in Achilles armour & shield) by Hector’s hand. Although supposedly estranged from battle, due to a General’s quarrel, this act so enrages Achilles, that he immediately seeks retribution for his friend’s end. Miraculously, he borrows some new body armour from Hephaestus, the God of Fire, and subsequently avenges the death of his lifelong companion, by killing Hector in a long & violent confrontation.
There’s lots more, but that was the sad fate of the forlorn Jack of Diamonds. The City of Troy fared much worse!
JACK 
We have two main nominees for the Knave of Clubs, who like their namesake, wielded a very heavy hand. If you look closely you will see both playing card contenders still clutch their trusty spear close to their chest.
Judas Maccabeus (The Hammer) is an ancient Jewish war hero and national liberator who during his tenure, 160-167 BCE led a massive rebellion against the Greek rulers, known as The Seleucid Empire. It is claimed that the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah,(Dedication) is named for Judas’s act of destruction, after his conquests, when he razed the Greek holy sites, dismantled the statues of the Greek Gods, and thus cleansed the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE!
Lancelot du Lac
Medieval Celtic Literature has a number of legendary tales of Lancelot & there are more than a few variations in the Welsh, Irish, Scottish and Brittany mythologies. As the orphaned son of King Ban, (Ruler of the lost Kingdom of Benoïc), he is spirited away by the Fairies, and raised by the Enchantress, the Lady of the Lake, who becomes his life-long Protector. When he comes of age, just 15, he is gifted a number of magical items, notably a ring, a sword, a shield, and a glistening silver suit of armour, and then he is mysteriously presented to the Court of King Arthur as The White Knight. He is always victorious in his early adventures, and when he succeeds in rescuing Sir Gawain from Arthur’s rivals, and later Lady Guinevere from Mordred, the grateful King makes him a full Knight, Sir Lancelot, of the famed Round Table. But tales of Middle Ages are rife with trysts, infidelity, betrayal & fanciful romance, and the Arthurian legends tend to elongate that hype. Morgan la Fay, a part time suitor of Lancelot, and full time sorceress, seducer, and shapeshifter, (who had years previously saved a wounded King Arthur, by transporting him to the Isle of Apples), periodically causes havoc and chicanery at the Royal Court. Other temptresses & forlorns come and go,(see Elaine the Grail Maiden & The Lady of Escalot) but the main intrigue that is intrinsic to Arthurian Legend is the ill-fated love triangle of Lancelot, Queen Gwenivar(Guinevere), and the King himself.
Needless to say, when Lancelot’s affair with Lady Gwen, dramatically comes to light, the Tale takes a decidedly morbid turn. Camelot magic becomes tragic! Sir Lancelot subsequently loses his King, his love interest, and his country, but then again, we have all had some bad days at the Table, round or otherwise.
|