Bastard, Hero, Murderer: Hercules Journey

Bastard, Hero, Murderer: Hercules’ Journey When we think of a bastard, we usually envision a poor boy who struggles through life, child of a single mother, often times not making anything of himself, but sometimes becoming the complete opposite out of an inner drive to succeed beyond what anyone would assume. When we think of a hero, many of us would picture a super-hero, possibly Batman, or Iron Man, and for many Hercules also comes to mind because they have done things for the greater good, but also put themselves at risk without a second thought to save another. When we think of the word murderer, however, anger, or sadness tend to surface and most of see a vile human being with no soul. In today’s society it would not be uncommon for many …show more content…
Born to Alcmene, Heracles was the product of trickery by his father Zeus. We know that Zeus, disguised as Alcmene’s husband, laid with her and thus conceived Heracles. We know that this angered Hera, who wanted nothing to do him, but because of Athena, Heracles was able to continue life and grow. With no actual father present in his life, and forced to grow up as a mortal on earth, Heracles fits the description of a bastard, but it was in fact the early presence of females in his life that helped shape who he became. When we look at Jungian theory about the four archetypes, this specifically fits in with his notion of the “Anima” which is “the female element in the male unconscious. This inner duality is often symbolized by a hermaphrodite…..” (Jung, Franz, Henderson, Jacobi & Jaffe 30). When we look at Carl Jung’s archetype, we can see just how this representation played a role in Hercules life from infancy. Although Hera did not want anything to do with him, Athena herself disguised Hercules so Hera would not recognize him, and by doing so Hera breastfed him out of pity. Through this act, Hercules gained supernatural powers, but was also returned to Alcmene on earth when Hera did not want to breastfeed him anymore because of his brute strength, even as a baby. Originally named Alcides, Heracles was actually renamed in an attempt to win over Hera, but instead at just 8 months he …show more content…
Hercules strength was first visibly seen as an infant, but it is within his stage as a young man that we really see the power he has, and it is first experienced when he kills his tutor with a lyre. With this one act, and unbeknownst to him, Hercules set in motion what are referred to as “The Labors of Hercules”, which began with him slaying the Nemean Lion, and ended with the capture and return of Cerberus. It is through these twelve labors that we really see the influence of the “Anima”, because these are all guided by Hera, and through this guidance we see Hercules development. With Hera being the reason that Hercules had to go through these trials, the label of hero, and Carl Jung’s notion of the “Persona”, “….the protective cover or mask that an individual presents to the world…..to make a specific impression on other people: second, to conceal the individual’s inner self from their prying eyes” (Jung et al 287), also came to light at this stage. Although attempting to destroy Hercules, Hera instead allowed him to be the hero by completing these tasks for the greater good of mankind, but also become a citizen of the people as well. In addition, at this stage in his life, Hercules also obtained the “mask” of husband/lover, and therefore was able to decide