Greek Mythology- Hercules

Greek Mythology

Hercules weaknesses

Hercules had two different weaknesses in the movie and the myth. In the movie, Hercules was so strong he couldn't control his strength which was a very costly weakness because of the mass destruction he caused. In the myth, Hercules couldn't control his anger because of the outbursts Hera was assigning him. This was such a big weakness because he killed his wife and kids which ultimately created the 12 labors.

Hercules relationships

Hercules had different relationships between the movie and the myth. For example, in the movie, his lover was Meg, which was ultimately there to take him down but eventually fell in love with him. Also, Phil who was his mentor in the movie and trained him well. In the myth, after his godly powers were restored and he went to the heavens, he eventually fell in love with Hebe, Hera's daughter. Also, in the myth, Phil which was his trainer in the movie is know his youthful follower.

The Legendary Tale of Hercules

The Ending.

The ending of both the movie and the myth were suprisingly different. For example, in the movie he had an option to stay a god or become a mortal again and he chose to become a mortal to stay with Meg. But in the myth, he had his youthful follower, Phil, set him on fire and kill him so he can go to the gods and have eternal peace. Also, another difference is that the titans didn't travel to Mount Olympus to kill Zeus in the myth. All in all, the difference in the ending in the myth and the movie is major.

The Death of Hercules

The events surrounding Hercules' mortal end and ascension to Mount Olympus.

Legacy of Hercules

Hercules' enduring influence and impact on art, culture, and modern references.

Tragic Turn

Hercules in Pop Culture

The enduring legacy of Hercules in modern film, literature, and popular media.

The events leading to Hercules' downfall and tragic end.

The Madness of Hercules

The divine punishment leading to Hercules' temporary insanity.

Herculean Strength

Hercules' depiction as the epitome of physical strength and prowess.

Golden Apples of Hesperides

Hercules' pursuit of the precious apples guarded by the Hesperides.

Defeat of the Hydra

Hercules Parents

Hercules' epic battle against the multi-headed serpent.

Heroic Exploits

The Antagonists, Hades and Hera.

In both the Disney movie and the myth, the mighty Zeus was Hercules's father. However, his mother in the movie is the Greek god Hera, but in the myth his mother was a mortal, Alchemenay.

Hercules' extraordinary feats and heroic adventures.

Hades is also Zeus's son, but very much dislikes Hercules because he stops him from overthrowing the gods and being the most powerful one. Hades is the one of the most powerful naturally but is hungry for more power. Pain and panic are two demonic beings that help hades kill Hercules. Unlike the movie, Hera is the antagonist from the myth. She disliked Hercules because he was not her child, which means Zeus cheated on her to get him. This enrages Hera and takes it out on hercules by making him have outbursts of rage and eventually kill his wife and kids.

Motivation of tasks

Hercules had 12 tasks to complete in both the story and the myth that had to be completed for 2 different reasons. In the myth, Hera gave Hercules bursts of anger which led Hercules to kill his wife and kids in the crossfire. Because of this, he had to complete 12 hard labors for forgiveness. In contrast, all of these 12 labors were similar in the movie other than the fact that he was doing It for a completely different reason, to become a hero and restore his godly powers.