Rome's Hercules: Scene Analysis

Here is a mural glorifying the trials and ultimate glory of Former President Barack Obama, who is illustrated as Rome’s Hercules. The three scenes depict Obama during his presidency, during the campaign of current President Donald Trump, and his status post-election. The first scene demonstrates Obama holding a boulder, which symbolizes his metaphorical strength as he carries the burden of the United States on his shoulders in a Herculean fashion; Hercules too had “the weight of the world on his shoulders,” often doing the seemingly impossible for his people. The second scene illustrates Trump placing the poisonous cloak that inevitably leads Hercules to his death. In terms of the mural, the cloak represents the slander and defamation of Obama that Trump perpetuated throughout his campaign in efforts to turn the American people against the former president. …show more content…
The third scene portrays ascension of Hercules to Mt.Olympus, which symbolizes the glorification of Obama post-election. While Obama stands high at the top of the mountain, masses of the American people praise him from below, while few linger around the podium of Trump and uphold his ideals of hate and bigotry. Those that uplift Obama feel grief and regret as they have realized the man they have elected will not do for them as their former president once did. Obama can now be peaceful and live his best life post-presidency, knowing that he has done the unimaginable for his country, just as Hercules was ultimately given a spot on