Things not to myth in Hercules

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Hero’s Journey in Hercules 

Things not to myth in Hercules

Context: 1997 Hercules Disney Film



Let us get to know Hercules' journey with a slice of life that you should not myth (miss)!




The ordinary world

Hercules first stayed on Mount Olympus. However, this changed when Pain and Panic, Hades' minions, brought him to earth to give the mortal potion to kill him. Still, they were unsuccessful because of childless couple disturbed them, which became Hercules’ adoptive parents as he cannot return to Mount Olympus. 



The call to adventure

Hercules found out that he was adopted when the parents admitted it and shown the medallion in his neck when she was still a baby. Because of this, he went to the Temple of Zeus, where Zeus said that if he obtained a true hero’s status, he could return to Mount Olympus with his family. Zeus aided Hercules by sending Pegasus.


Things not to myth: An animal can be the best companion in life. Pegasus became Hercules' companion in each and every battle, and they are inseparable. Just like how pets can be an aid for emotional support, this proves that companions should not always be in human form. If you do not have a pet, you are missing half of your life.

Hercules and Pegasus. Giphy: https://giphy.com/gifs/disney-hercules-walt-disney-animation-studios-pegasus-8OpVoc3ZMk1mE



Refusal of the call

There is no refusal to call as he is eager to join his family in Mount Olympus.


Things not to myth: His perseverance to prove that he is worthy to be a hero should be adored as there is not even a slight of refusal. Same with real life, to achieve a goal also equates to having perseverance—or even Grit to achieve success. 


I will face the world, fearless, proud, and strong...I can go the distance. - Hercules



Mentor/ Helper

Hercules met Philoctetes. He was reluctant at first, but when lightning struck him, he agreed to train Hercules. 

Things not to myth: We will always have a mentor in life, may it be our parents, friends, professors, or even people whom you are not expecting to have the greatest impact in your life. 



Crossing the threshold

Phil trained Hercules that transformed Hercules. He is strong from the beginning, but he does not have the skills and expertise to succeed as a hero. The end of the training also led to going to Thebes for real-world experience as it is a city plagued with problems.



Tests/ Allies/ Enemies

He met Meg on their sidetrack, where he met the river guardian, Nessus. As Meg is an accomplice of Hades, he easily deceived Hercules by saying that there are two boys trapped (Pain and Panic in disguise), which is also when he met Hydra. A multi-headed serpent. Hercules defeated it, which earned him the view of Thebes people as a hero. 



Approach

Hades’ desire to takeover Olympus is foreshadowed because of the Fates. For him to succeed, he needs to get rid of Hercules. He discovered that Hercules’ weakness is Meg which is why he owned Meg’s soul as a trade to Hercules strength for a day which he agreed to.     



Ordeal

Hades uses the titans, which he unleashed, and the cyclops. Hercules does not have his power because of the deal, but Meg was fatally injured, so Hercules’ strength returns, and he quickly rushed to Mount Olympus. As he is battling, Meg is slowly dying. 



Reward

Hercules traveled to the underworld to save the soul of Meg and risk his life. However, he obtained the power of a true God. (Meg is the reward)

Things not to myth: It takes more than what you think it is to achieve what you want to achieve. What is the measure of a true hero? After battling numerous monsters and creatures which made Hercules famous, he quickly returned to the Temple of Zeus to ask if he is now a hero but ended up being disappointed as Zeus said that fame does not equate to heroism. There will always be instances where we think that we are close to our achievements, but something unexpected happens, then suddenly, you found yourself doing something in life. His battles with monsters and creatures are not the finish line of his marking of a true hero. It is the sacrifice that she did for Meg that made him the true hero (which clearly is not the thing that he expects)



The road back

They traveled to Mount Olympus to live among the Gods where he truly belongs.



Return

His love for Meg is more significant than his desire for immortality. That is why he decided to give it up, and he chose to live on Earth to be with Meg.

Things not to myth: Love is both beautiful and dangerous. Megara sold her soul to Hades to save her partner, who ended up leaving her for another woman. But Hercules, sacrificing his life and choosing Meg over immortality, proves how powerful it is.


People do crazy things...when they’re in love - Megara


Hades’ plan to kill Hercules became unsuccessful, and the time that he thought that he would die is actually the time that he became a true God. This shows that no matter how arduous the journey is, no matter what obstacles came your way, always persevere and trust the process like how Hercules did. You can even say “heck, you lose” to the people who want to bring you down, but you ended up being successful. 


Achievement will always come with challenges. Nothing worth having comes easy. 

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