Proud Hercules: Rolling down the river of heroism
We all have our favorite heroes. I have a lot of friends who enjoy watching action movies with heroic figures like those in Marvel, those who are in anime like I do as well. I think the reason why these kinds of plot are interesting to read or watch is because of their journey to greatness. We get to see these characters go through a lot of challenges and trials by using their own capabilities to get through them, and thus saving the people or even the world! But before these modern day heroes, we have some interesting characters in mythology that left an influence to other people that they were considered honorable, and one of them is Heracles or in the most familiar name, Hercules.
This is contextualized in the Disney version of Heracles' story, and while it does have inaccuracies (Portsche, 2018), this movie is actually great! In the film, Hercules always reminds himself to "go the distance" but what does it actually mean? Let's take a look through his journey as he goes for the distance.
Ordinary World
Source: Berman, R. (2014). Quiz: Which Disney destination should you visit? [Image]. Oh My Disney. https://ohmy.disney.com/quiz/2014/09/15/quiz-which-disney-destination-should-you-visit/
Hercules lived as a demigod throughout the majority of the film. He initially was a god and noted with his superhuman strength, even residing in Mount Olympus with all of the other gods, including his parents Zeus and Hera. However, due to his uncle Hades' wish to overthrow his cheery brother Zeus, he first plans to get rid of baby Hercules by ordering Pain and Panic--his assistants--to kill him by turning him into a mortal first. However, that plan failed and all this time, Hades thought his nephew was killed.
Source: Gifer (n.d.) [GIF]. https://gifer.com/en/SwjT
Hercules grew up to love his adoptive parents, Alcmene and Amphitryon and always helped them in their livelihood. Despite how his super strength remained due to Pain and Panic's foil in plans, he used this as a way to help them and both his parents loved him so much. However, this ability of his caused him to become an outcast of his village.
Call to adventure
Source: Joanna S (n.d.). Hercules with his adopted parent who raise him [Image]. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/335096028500032794/
Alcmene and Amphitryon decided the same day to confess the whole truth about Hercules. Hercules learns that they were not his true parents and that he was only found by them one night and told him that they believe he was a blessing from the gods. He tells Alcmene and Amphitryon that while they may not be his parents, they were already the best parents he had and with that, he sets out to find the truth of his origins.
Source: Harris, A. (n.d.). Hercules my son. It is I the mighty Zeus would you like to talk about Didney worl [Image]. https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/465700417697358434/
Hercules said to himself that time that he "will go the distance" and find his place in the world. Before setting out in his journey, he goes to a temple to pray for Zeus but little did he knew that the enormous statue before him would come to life and introduce himself as his father. Hercules wants to reunite with his family but Zeus told him that it will be a difficult task to do so. All that Hercules has to do is to become a true hero.
Refusal of the call
Hercules was very eager to join his family back in Olympus, and this became his drive as he embarked on his journey. He never refused this challenge. However, at this point he reunites with Pegasus who was his first companion.
Meeting the mentor
Source: Gifer (n.d.) Training [GIF]. https://gifer.com/en/JZhm
Hercules was advised by Zeus to ask for Philoctetes' guidance to mentor him as he is the famed mentor of most famous heroes such as Odysseus and Achilles. While reluctant at first, he began to accept Hercules and trained him to help him reach Hercules' goals.
Crossing the threshold
Source: Libbey, D. (May 4 2020). Josh Gad has a good reason for dashing our hopes about him joining Disney's Hercules live-action movie [JPG]. Cinema Blend. https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2495581/josh-gad-has-a-good-reason-for-dashing-our-hopes-about-him-joining-disneys-hercules-live-action-movie
With the help from Phil, Hercules grew stronger and sharper in his challenges. This helped him set out and prepare for the start of his road to heroism.
Tests, allies, enemies
Source: Disney Wiki (n.d.). Namean Lion [JPG]. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Nemean_Lion
During his first challenge as a hero, he meets Megara who he saves from Nessus, the river guardian whom Hades needed for his plan. Coincidentally, Megara works for Hades after selling her soul to save her partner and this now results in Hades and Hercules' paths crossing together once again. After arriving in Thebes where Hercules plans to build his reputation as a hero, trials began to happen, which were all Hades' plans to eliminate him.
Approach to the inmost cave
Source: hafanforever (n.d.). When Megara met Hercules [GIF]. Tumblr. https://hafanforever.tumblr.com/post/611327900740993025/when-megara-met-hercules-introduction-while/embed
After learning Megara's secret, Phil decides to tell it to Hercules but he never believed him, causing them to argue with Phil leaving Hercules, disappointed. Pegasus was also held captive by Pain and Panic in order for their plans to succeed. Hades and Hercules meets, holding Megara captive and letting Hercules decide between whether to save Megara or not. Of course, he chose the former as he loves her but this resulted him in losing his power. However, Hades promised that while he has no strength left in his body, Megara should never be hurt.
As a cyclops began to terrorize and take advantage of the situation Hercules was in, Hercules was put to a challenge once again without the use of his superhuman strength. But while he was the victor, he was saved by Megara who pushed him out the way as a column was about to crush him to death.
Ordeal
Hercules regains his strength when Megara was hurt, breaking the deal Hades promised of keeping Megara away from harm's way. Letting her rest where she lay, Hercules sets off with Pegasus towards Mount Olympus where Hades has taken control of. He rescues the gods and together with Zeus, they got rid of the titans that terrorized the Earth and the heavens.
Reward
Peace was restored once again in Olympus and in Earth after successfully getting rid of the titans and Hades retreating.
The Road Back
Source: TV Tropes (n.d.). Hercules / Tear Jerker [JPG]. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Tearjerker/Hercules
While saving Olympus was successful, Hercules learns from Hades that Megara has passed away. This set him off to another journey to the Underworld to save Megara.
Resurrection
Source: Norman-Freak89 (2018). Hercules becomes a god [GIF]. Gfycat. https://gfycat.com/shockingglitteringdarklingbeetle-disney-hercules-river-of-death-the-fates
Willing to sacrifice himself to save Megara's soul in the River of Death in exchange of his life, he dives down to the depths of the river and when he was in the brink of his death, he finally became what he wanted to be, a god.
Return with the Elixir
Source: hafanforever (n.d.). When Megara met Hercules [GIF]. Tumblr. https://hafanforever.tumblr.com/post/611327900740993025/when-megara-met-hercules-introduction-while/embed
Hercules became a god. He had been waiting for this moment but now that he has found love and a sense of belongingness, he chooses to retain his mortality so he could be with Megara.
To me, Hercules wanting to go the distance meant reaching greater heights for his goals. By being a hero with a heart of gold and earnestness to help and protect those in need, he found a place to call his home along with his companions that helped him believe in himself. But let's ask ourselves, what do we think of when we want to go the distance? How will we ever achieve our goals and dreams? Hercules showed a great example of going the distance as he grew and changed to become a better person and like him, we go through many challenges as well.
How are you going to carve your path to greatness?
References:
Portsche, M. (Dec 13 2018). Hercules: Mythology vs Disney. Medium. https://medium.com/all-things-disney/hercules-mythology-vs-disney-cd4e73ea22b2
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