Hercules: Disney vs. Classical Literature the Myth

Hercules: Disney vs. Classical Literature

The myth of Hercules has been represented in media such as film and television, allowing the general public to be introduced to Greek and Roman mythological characters through entertainment. The 1997 Disney animated movie Hercules is a loosely based adaptation of the Herculean myth. The Herculean myth in the Disney movie Hercules relies heavily on identifying characters with their Greek and Roman counterparts instead of identifying with their classic mythological roles.

In Hercules, Hercules is depicted as being the offspring of Zeus and his wife, Hera. Because he was born to two gods, Hercules is also depicted as being a god himself. In classic mythology, Hercules was born to Alcmene, a mortal and the wife of Amphitryon, and Zeus, who disguised himself as Amphitryon in order to sleep with Alcmene. While Hercules is depicted as being loved by both Zeus and Hera in the movie, in literature, Hera is extremely jealous of Zeus's lovers and children, pursuing them mercilessly. In Hercules, the rage and contempt that is harbored towards Hercules by Hera is depicted through Hades, who being jealous and angered after losing his immediate claim to the throne, plots to kill Hercules. It is important to note that though in classical literature Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon divided the world into three distinct regions with each of them ruling a specific realm, in the movie, there is no reference made to Poseidon, and the feud between Zeus and Hades is depicted as a battle between good and evil. Furthermore, Hades' main objective in the movie is to overthrow Zeus through the aid of "the Titans," which is not a reference to the classical Titans that were overthrown and allowed Zeus to come into power, but rather a motley of giants, including a Cyclops, who will help him take over Olympus.

Another way in which Hercules departs from the classical representation of the Herculean myth is the way that Hercules, himself, is depicted. In the movie, he is initially considered to be a god, by birth, losing his immortality through a scheme concocted by his uncle, Hades. In literature, Hercules is a demigod as he was the son of a god and a mortal; moreover, Hercules was never considered to be immortal and is ultimately killed by his jealous wife. Moreover, a major aspect of the Herculean myth is, for the most part, overlooked. In classical mythology, Hercules is tasked with twelve labors, which would be considered to be his greatest feats. In the movie, Hercules approaches these labors as though they were menial tasks that would prove his heroic qualities to his father, Zeus, and allow him to be restored on Olympus as a god. In the movie, Hercules is initially shown to be self-centered and self-serving, but his attitude changes when he meets and falls for Megara, one of Hades' pawns. When it is revealed that Megara has sold her soul to Hades that the storyline shifts from Hercules trying to return to Olympus and instead trying to save the "damsel-in-distress." In typical Disney fashion, the story concludes with Hercules rescuing Megara, saving her soul from eternal damnation, and Hercules and Megara living happily ever after.