Hercules – Disney

The Conception and Birth of Hercules

When Hercules was born to Zeus and Hera there was a great celebration in the heavens.

The Hatred Hercules Faced

Hades was not happy about the birth of Hercules as Hercules was going to ruin Hades’ plan to take over Zeus’ role as ruler of the heavens and earth. The three Fates; Past, Present and Future, informed Hades that when the planets aligned in eighteen years that he would overthrow Zeus with the help of the Titans. Though if Hercules fought, Hades would lose. Hades concocts a potion to make Hercules mortal so that he can kill Hercules. Hades instructs his sidekicks, Pain and Panic, to administer the potion to Hercules who becomes mortal, though keeps his abnormal strength, as the whole potion is not taken. Pain and Panic did not “finish the job” and lie to Hades stating that Hercules “is as dead as a doornail”. Amphitryon and his wife find Hercules and believe that he has been sent to them from the Gods as they have been wishing to have a child.

Hercules Grows Up

Hercules strength was more of a hindrance to him when growing up, as he could not always control it, his peers often referring to him as Jerk-ules. Hercules feels as if he does not belong, his parents feeling his sadness divulge their secret that they had found him and believed that he had been sent from the heavens. Hercules confronts the statue of Zeus and finds out that he is the son of Zeus and Hera. Zeus explains to Hercules that if he becomes a true hero he can become immortal once again and return home to his family. Zeus instructs Hercules to find Philoctetes (Phil) who will train him to become a hero and gives him Pegasus as a parting gift.

The Labours of Hercules

Hercules takes his fathers advice and on the way to heroism he meets Megara (Meg) who he is immediately smitten with. However, Meg is serving Hades for assistance he had once given her, and divulges that she had met a “wonder boy” named Hercules. Hades is infuriated and plots many tasks to have Hercules killed. These tasks include:

1. The battle of the Hydra

2. The slaying of the boar

3. The death of “Scar” the lion

4. The killing of the birds

5. The demise of the water-dragon

6. The fatality of three monsters

Hercules as God

Although Hercules had become a hero in the eyes of mortals, the Gods did not regard him in this way. Disheartened Hercules leaves meanwhile, Hades identifies that Hercules’ one weakness is the love that he has for Meg. Hades unintentionally causes the death of Meg this leads Hercules to go to the Underworld to plead with Hades to take him rather than Meg. Hades agrees believing that Hercules would die before he reaches Meg in the river of death. However, as Hercules truly commits a heroic act giving his life for hers he is finally made immortal. Hercules returns to the heavens a God though soon realises that he belongs on earth as a mortal man with Meg.

Strengths

— Provides the viewer with a child friendly version of the myth

— This version offers people of other races the opportunity to be represented in the story of Hercules (Lowe 2006).

— Humorous depiction of a classic myth

— Animation is visually appealing

— Is gender inclusive

— Introduces children to a variety of Greek and Roman myths in one story, the movie discusses many other heroes such as Achilles, Jason of the Argonauts and Pegasus which adds a postmodern twist

— This film parodies advertising campaigns and large merchandising chains, such as Nike Air and Gatorade (Wikipedia 2006).

— To remain appropriate for children this film omits evidence of adultery as Zeus and Hera are Hercules natural parents and Amphitryon and Alcmena are represented as Hercules adoptive parents.

Weaknesses

— Names of characters are not consistent with the Greek or Roman versions as Hercules (Roman) and Zeus (Greek) are used in the one text

— Depicts the young female characters as Barbie-like images; an example of this is Meg’s curvy vivacious figure (Shortsleeve 2004: 2).

— As Disney was anxious about the material they use, the Muses are depicted as African American women, which is not concurrent with the Greek or Roman versions of the story (Lowe 2006).

— Hades is represented visually as symbolising the devil rather than a God. Hades plays the role of Hercules nemesis rather than Hera as in the traditional tales (Wikipedia 2006).

— Disney has used stereotypes to represent the characters, such as the ‘Muses as Divas’ and the Titans as ‘brutish giants’ (Wikipedia 2006).

— The labours of Hercules have minimal significance to the plot of the story (Wikipedia 2006).

— The movie is not consistent with traditional Hercules myths as Hercules chooses to be mortal rather than becoming a God

Links to Other Resources

— There are many references throughout this movie to other Greek and Roman myths, such as the stories of Achilles, Pegasus, Jason and the Argonauts, Philoctetes, Bellerophon and Orpheus

— Disney has made other movies based on Greek and Roman mythology, such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

— After the release of Hercules Disney made a series of cartoons based on the movie

— During the time that Disney’s Hercules was released a popular television series called Hercules: The Legendary Journeys was being shown

— Wikipedia discusses many conceptual links between Hercules and other movies, these are discussed at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hercules_(1997_film)