Theseus is born to Aethra and Poseidon/Aegeus. His father leaves his sword and sandals under a rock for Theseus to find when he is older.
CLIMAX
After retrieving his father's sword, Theseus goes to Athens where the Marathon Bull kills a visiting prince from Crete. Athens and Crete go to war.
FALLING ACTION
An oracle tells Athens to satisfy Minos' demands to end the war. Theseus volunteers as tribute to Crete, as one of the seven youths and seven maidens that Minos requires.
RESOLUTION
Ariadne, the princess in Crete, falls in love with Theseus. With the help of Daedalus, she tells Theseus to use a spool of thread to find his way. Theseus enters the labyrinth.
Theseus defeats the Minotaur and frees Athens from its debt to Minos.
Though Theseus won the day, tragedy strikes. Theseus forgot to change the sails from black to white. His father jumped off the cliff into the ocean from grief.