Disney’s 1997 children’s film Hercules is a classic, known for its tale of heroism and finding ones true strength. The film is loosely based off of the Greek myth about the demi-god with the same name. The oral tradition of the myth has passed it down from Ancient Greece, bringing with it many different variations. Both the movie and the myth tell the story of Hercules, the son of Zeus. Each plays a vital role in telling the tale of Hercules, however, there are many details changed to create the movie every generation can enjoy. The initial comparison is that of the cause of the 12 labours. The myth says that Hera put a spell on Hercules to drive him mad. He slays his family and, to gain forgiveness, travels to King Eurystheus to complete
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Disney chose Hades as their villain to avoid the pain and suffering the original villain of the myth, Hera, caused. A final yet crucial difference was Hercules’ relation to Hera. The animated film portrayed Hera as Hercules’ mother, whereas in the Greek myth, Hera set out to destroy him. Though Disney’s Hercules shares the name of the myth it is based upon, the differences between them outweigh their similarities.
Both the myth and the Disney classic follow the 12 labours, which Hercules had to complete, but they go about it in very different ways. As stated in the Greek myth, Hercules was the love child of his father Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. This angered Hera, and was worsened by Alcmene naming her son Heracles, the Greek form of Hercules. This name is directly translated to the “glory of Hera” (Heracles- The Ancient Greek Hero Myth). In retaliation to this perceived mocking, Hera put a spell on Hercules to make him think his family was his enemy. The spell drove Hercules mad and sent him into a violent rage, which resulted in him killing his entire family (Heracles- The Ancient Greek Hero Myth). Plagued with guilt, Hercules travelled to gain advice from Apollo who sent him to King Eurystheus. The King …show more content…
Together they had a son named Hercules. His jealous Uncle Hades devised a plan to dispose of the young god in order to rule Olympus. He sent his henchmen to kidnap Hercules and give him a potion, which would turn him mortal (Hercules- About the Production). Hera is shown to be devastated by this loss, because it turned her son into a human. In contrast, the myth of Hercules says that Hera was not the mother of Hercules, rather his worst nightmare. Zeus tricked the mortal woman, Alcmene, into sleeping with him by disguising himself as her husband, Amphitryon. Being born of a mortal mother and a divine father, this made Hercules a demi-god. In an attempt to please Hera, Alcmene named the child Heracles (Heracles- The Ancient Greek Hero Myth). In the myth, this angered Hera, and began her numerous attempts throughout Hercules’ life to kill him. The traits Hera has in the movie were completely opposite to those in the myth. Hera was not the nurturing, caring mother Disney led people to believe she was. The writers knew in order to make the film suitable for children, Hercules’ mother figure had to be sweet and loving, as opposed to the villain she is portrayed as in the
Disney chose Hades as their villain to avoid the pain and suffering the original villain of the myth, Hera, caused. A final yet crucial difference was Hercules’ relation to Hera. The animated film portrayed Hera as Hercules’ mother, whereas in the Greek myth, Hera set out to destroy him. Though Disney’s Hercules shares the name of the myth it is based upon, the differences between them outweigh their similarities.
Both the myth and the Disney classic follow the 12 labours, which Hercules had to complete, but they go about it in very different ways. As stated in the Greek myth, Hercules was the love child of his father Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. This angered Hera, and was worsened by Alcmene naming her son Heracles, the Greek form of Hercules. This name is directly translated to the “glory of Hera” (Heracles- The Ancient Greek Hero Myth). In retaliation to this perceived mocking, Hera put a spell on Hercules to make him think his family was his enemy. The spell drove Hercules mad and sent him into a violent rage, which resulted in him killing his entire family (Heracles- The Ancient Greek Hero Myth). Plagued with guilt, Hercules travelled to gain advice from Apollo who sent him to King Eurystheus. The King …show more content…
Together they had a son named Hercules. His jealous Uncle Hades devised a plan to dispose of the young god in order to rule Olympus. He sent his henchmen to kidnap Hercules and give him a potion, which would turn him mortal (Hercules- About the Production). Hera is shown to be devastated by this loss, because it turned her son into a human. In contrast, the myth of Hercules says that Hera was not the mother of Hercules, rather his worst nightmare. Zeus tricked the mortal woman, Alcmene, into sleeping with him by disguising himself as her husband, Amphitryon. Being born of a mortal mother and a divine father, this made Hercules a demi-god. In an attempt to please Hera, Alcmene named the child Heracles (Heracles- The Ancient Greek Hero Myth). In the myth, this angered Hera, and began her numerous attempts throughout Hercules’ life to kill him. The traits Hera has in the movie were completely opposite to those in the myth. Hera was not the nurturing, caring mother Disney led people to believe she was. The writers knew in order to make the film suitable for children, Hercules’ mother figure had to be sweet and loving, as opposed to the villain she is portrayed as in the