Luke Castellan, the demigod son of Hermes, is a complex character that has been the subject of much discussion among fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series. One thing that stands out about Luke is his deep-seated hatred for his own father, Hermes.
Many readers have wondered why Luke harbors such strong feelings towards his father. To fully understand Luke’s animosity towards Hermes, we need to delve into his backstory.
Luke grew up as a demigod in Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for children of Greek gods and mortals. As the son of Hermes, he had certain expectations placed upon him – namely, to be a cunning thief and messenger for the gods. However, despite possessing all of the natural talents required for these tasks, Luke struggled to live up to his father’s expectations.
This was due in part to his strained relationship with Hermes. Luke felt neglected by his father and believed that he never received enough attention or praise for his accomplishments. Additionally, he resented Hermes’ constant use of him as a pawn in various schemes and missions.
As a result, Luke began to distance himself from his father and seek validation elsewhere. He grew close to Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, and together they formed a bond based on their shared ambition and desire to prove themselves worthy in their own right.
Unfortunately, this only served to fuel Luke’s resentment towards Hermes even further. He began to view himself as superior to other demigods because he was not bound by loyalty or obligation to any particular god – including his own father.
Eventually, this resentment boiled over into outright hostility. In the events leading up to The Titan’s Curse (book 3), Luke betrays Camp Half-Blood and joins forces with Kronos – a powerful Titan who seeks revenge on the gods.
Luke’s decision to betray those closest to him is rooted in his deep-seated anger towards his father. He sees himself as a victim of Hermes’ neglect and manipulation, and believes that by aligning himself with Kronos he can finally prove his worth and gain the recognition he feels he deserves.
In conclusion, Luke’s hatred for Hermes is a complex issue that stems from a number of factors – including neglect, manipulation, and a desire for validation. While his actions may be difficult to justify, it’s important to remember that Luke is ultimately a tragic figure who fell victim to his own inner demons. As readers, we can only hope that he finds peace and redemption in the end.