Hercules Hero Cycle Essay

Mythology often plays a huge roll in everyday society, though one would rarely know how often myths play a part in that everyday life. One of the best known hero myths is that of Hercules. In the United states, Hercules has been made in to several movies, and even a television series. One of the best adaptations of this hero myth is the one done by Disney. To the untrained eye, few people would know that Disney uses the hero cycle is almost all of its children’s animated movies. That being the case, Hercules is a great example of the hero cycle. Disney uses the hero cycle so much, that, even in the case of this epic movie, the original myth is often distorted to more fit the linear story line and hero cycle. Disney began its work on …show more content…
First, he is clumsy and awkward as a youth. This is the first test Hercules faces. After he becomes able to fight and trained he and Phil head to Thebe’s. On his way to Thebe’s we meet Meg. And Hercules fights his first monster. Hercules wins, and becomes entangled by the sight of this beautiful woman. Not knowing she works for his enemy Hades. Hades then discovers, through meg, that Hercules, who is supposed to be dead, is alive and going to ruin Hades plan. Hades, in an effort to kill Hercules, sends the Hydra, the Boar, and the lion, non have the ability to weaken Hercules. Then, Hades sets Hercules against …show more content…
These are universal themes. Mortality is something we live every day. And immortality is an idea that humans have grappled with since the beginning of time. Mortality is the reason for the belief in an afterlife. The idea that what we do now, will affect us later.
Love conquers all! This message continues the idea that we teach children that if you love someone or something enough everything else is possible. In this case, if you love enough to give your own life you are “God-like” and worth of immortality.
We create life through culture. Culture is belonging. How we identify, our self-esteem, self-image, the way we communicate: all are ideas that exist with a root of belonging. The need for belonging is present in every action we do. The way we act, the things we say, the way we believe are all centered in the universal need to belong. Disney uses this universal desire to capture us into this story.
I love this story. The basic idea that if we work hard, and persevere we will one day belong, be loved, and fit in. That is why I choose this