Zeus's primary weakness was his susceptibility to women. While not a traditional physical or magical weakness, his romantic entanglements and numerous affairs frequently led to conflict and problems, notably with his wife Hera. This weakness is consistently highlighted across numerous myths and stories depicting Zeus's relationships with various mistresses and the resulting offspring. These extramarital affairs often caused turmoil in Olympus and contributed significantly to his negative character portrayal in many narratives.
Several sources corroborate this central weakness:
- Homework.Study.com: Explicitly states, "Zeus had only one weakness: women." https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-weaknesses-does-zeus-have.html
- Geary Schools: Mentions Zeus's passionate interest in Persephone, leading to difficulties, further illustrating his susceptibility to romantic pursuits. https://www.gearyschools.org/vnews/display.v/TP/515babf44bd90
- Bartleby Essay: Reinforces the idea that Zeus's vulnerability to women was a significant weakness. https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Horus-And-Zeus-Weaknesses-35A8839F230B30E9
- Prezi Presentation: Clearly identifies "a weakness for women and cheated on his wife Hera multiple times" as one of Zeus's key weaknesses. https://prezi.com/pr6qlopnjw2i/greek-gods-strengths-and-weaknesses/
While some interpretations suggest other weaknesses, such as being susceptible to manipulation or easily overcome when focused upon, the consistent theme across various sources points to his vulnerability to his desires for women as his defining flaw.
