Hercules' Journey of Becoming a Hero

 Hercules: Campbell's Hero's Journey

Charmine Cumpio (charmingly yours,)
III-2 BEE

Hercules is a son of Zeus and a mortal named Alcmene, making him a demi-god. Nevertheless, he is known for his god-like strength. In the Disney movie, Hercules felt he is isolated from their city because of his extraordinary strength. So, he decided to go on a journey (go the distance) in finding where he belongs.

This latter part of this blog will now discuss Hercules’ journey of becoming a hero according to Campbell’s Hero’s Journey.

Stage 1: Hercules’ ordinary world

Hercules is living an ordinary life as a human with his adoptive parents in the city of Thebes. However, his extraordinary strength is not fitting with the norms according to their society. Thus, which made him decide to go on a journey.

Stage 2: Hercules begins his heroic journey

Hercules left his adoptive parents and began his unknown journey. He traveled to visit the temple of Zeus. In a while, he hesitated a little (Stage 3) because he was unsure how exactly he can become a hero. Nonetheless, he accepted the challenge and visit Phil to undergo hero training. 

Stage 4: Hercules meets Philoctetes

Hercules visited Philoctetes (the one who trained heroes, specifically Achilles) to prepare him to become a hero. Phil eventually agreed because Zeus struck him with a lightning bolt. Phil, bit by bit, taught Hercules rules in saving people from danger or a damsel in distress. 

Stage 5: Hercules in Thebes

Now that Hercules is somehow ready to start his hands-on hero training for the first time. They go to the city of Thebes, a perfect place to test Hercules’ ability as a hero.  Then, he fought with a centaur. Here, Hercules discovered what kind of enemies he could face and what kind of reality this world has.  However, people here ignored him and called him an amateur.

Stage 6: Hercules fight with the Hydra

Hercules’ very first face-to-face battle with the Hydra. He struggles to fight with it, but Pegasus assisted him in finishing the battle. Despite the hurdles, he was able to endure them in the end. 

Stage 7: Hercules still not a hero

Hercules got famous for defeating monsters and evil creatures. However, he cannot fathom why he is still not recognized as a hero. It seems like his efforts are not paying off and making his goal fail. Yet, Zeus made him realized that becoming a true hero is not based on fame, but it is something to be discovered within you. Consequently, his feelings for Meg and the sake of people’s safety made him gave up his strength. With this, one step closer to becoming a true hero, I guess?

Stage 8: Hercules supreme ordeal with the titans

Hercules tries to save the people, the entire city, from the titans by fighting them. Despite losing his god-like strength to Hades, he was able to regain this in the later part of the story. 

Stage 9: Hercules and the gods collectively defeated the titans

Hercules, along with the god in Mount Olympus, collectively defeated the titans. Because of this, the battle stopped, and peace has restored.

Stage 10: Hercules coming back for Meg (in Earth)

However, Hades’ last card against Hercules is Meg’s death. Quickly, he came back where he left Meg, but he is split second late. 

Stage 11: Hercules’ final test

Hercules trying to save Meg’s soul by sacrificing his own life -is the final test or challenge that he needs to overcome. Well, he barely managed to make it through in the river of death, but his will did stop him. After saving Meg, he eventually becomes a god.

Stage 12: Hercules chose a mortal life with Meg

Because Hercules has proven himself a hero by helping the gods saved the world against the titans. As a reward, he became a god. Being a god will allow him to stay in Mount Olympus together with his father, Zeus. But, he then realized that being with Meg’s side is his true place. Live a mortal life with her and continue doing good deeds.

B-but, so what? Any relevance?

After analyzing Hercules’ heroic journey through the lens of Campbell’s monomyth. Then, we ask ourselves, what now? It might be just another hero story we heard. But I think it talks about how a person can transform to become better versions of themselves. The analogy is, moving out from our comfort zone and discover something new that we haven’t or afraid to try. Moreover, there will be someone to guide you in the middle of the journey you’re exploring. Of course, it is understandable to feel unsatisfied in the middle of the journey, yet we have something within us that forces us to continue. Well, #LifeGoesOn. After gaining that new skill or knowledge, we received a reward in different ways. However, it does not mean we’ll stay there; we have to go back to realize what we have accomplished so far. Therefore, our journey and challenges in life are comparable to Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. For sure, we’ll get through this somehow.

charmingly yours,

References: 
Musker, J., Clements, R (Directors) & Dewey, A. (Producer). (1997). Hercules [Movie]. Walt Disney Pictures. 
Campbell, J. (2004). The Hero with a Thousand Faces (Commemorative ed.). Princeton University Press.