Did Hercules Exist?

In Greek mythology Hercules is known for his strength and courage, considered as half man and half god. He was an adventurous superhuman born from mortal mother and the son of god Zeus. Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus decided to kill Hercules after his birth. Hercules then married the Theben princess Megara and had three children. However, Hera wasn’t happy about him. She was filled hatred of him, and as time goes, this situation made him to kill his wife and all his children. Hercules then felt guilty about the crime he had done. Hercules was charged to serve his cousin, king Eurystheus, and the ‘twelve labors’ were given to him as punishments. Those labors are a call to adventure that made Hercules to cross the threshold

“ A huge boar was ravaging cattle on mount Erymanthus, and again Hercules was required to capture it alive. This pised him no problem… he chased the boar… until it collapsed… and then bound the beast in chains.” ( Creighton 99) He got a lot of experience from this labour because he had to chase down this wild boar, and then chain it up. So if any tragedies like this occur in the city, he would be able to take care of it. “ The third labour imposed on Hercules was the capture of a deer with golden antlers… Eurystheus wanted him to bring the animal back alive, Hercules brought it down by shooting an arrow neatly through the forelegs.” ( Creighton 98) To hit a shot like that, there is lots of experience necessary, so even before the 12 labours, Hercules had these amazing skills of running, shooting, hunting and so on. The best hero, most also have the most experience and skills, that is why Hercules is the greatest hero. Without these skills, and without this type of experience, you are not fit to be called the best hero. Hercules is the only one with these skills and experience, that is why is the best

The hero often finds help from a supernatural aid or a mentor. The hero must go through many tests and trails some of which include temptresses and tricksters. Ultimately, there is always a final test or supreme ordeal. In the movie Hercules, the former god must now find a way to become a hero. He enlists the help of Philoctetes, a trainer of the heroes, to help. During his training Hercules must save a girl named Megara. After Hercules saves Meg she goes to Hades domain where she is working for the god. She tells him about the boy who saved her and Hades quickly realizes that Hercules is not dead. He sends Meg, Pain, and Panic to destroy him before it is too late. Meanwhile, Hercules is feeling more than slightly discouraged when people refuse to believe that he is trying to become a real hero. When Meg shows up at his house he is elated and they go out on a date of sorts. During said date, Meg realizes that she is in love with Hercules. After Hades finds this out he strikes up a plan to get Hercules to give up his power. Soon after he goes to Hercules’ training center and makes a deal with him, he won’t hurt Meg as long as Hercules gives up his power. The boy agrees and Meg is let go, but not before Hades lets the secret of her ties to him out. Without his power Hercules is helpless as Hades lets the titans go and they wreak havoc among the gods. Because Meg

Hercules is thought to be one of the world’s greatest hero. There are children’s movies about him, but they all have a happy ending. Hercules, originally born “Heracles” lived a short cruel, yet heroic life. “The 12 Herculean tasks he performed over a period of 12 years have been immortalized in everything from classical poetry to Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion.” (French 1). Hercules, in Greek mythology, was a hero known for his strength and courage and for his legendary adventures. Hercules is the Roman name for the Greek hero Heracles. He was the son of the god Zeus and a human mother Alcmene, wife of the Theban general Amphitryon. Hera, Zeus' jealous wife, was determined to kill Hercules, and after Hercules was born, she

Hercules is not the hero that greek mythology glorifies him to be. His ruthless acts to “purify” himself from killing his family, are nothing but him following commands of robbery, whether it be of a life or possession. He is less of a hero and more of a modern day hired ‘hitman’. Hercules agreed to completing the twelve tedious labours, however bad they might be. If he was ordered to steal something, he would. If he was told to kill something, he would do it. His actions are more alike the ones of an assassin or hitman rather than a selfless hero.

Greek mythology has been passed on and retold over generations. Literature and movies have been created to entertain as well as provide specific themes based off of myths. There are many heroes that mythology talks about and each one has lived an epic life, but there is one famous hero that has been immortalized throughout history. Hercules is the son of Zeus and a mortal named Alcmene. Zeus impregnated her while her husband was away and this is where his story began. Zeus' wife, Hera, found out about the affair and was outrageous about his careless actions. She tried to prevent Hercules' birth; however, when that didn't work she sent snakes to kill the baby. Hercules was too mighty for the snakes and strangled them before they could even hurt him. As stated in this source, "Hera remained angry. How could she get even? Hera knew that she would lose in a fight, and that she wasn't powerful enough to prevent Zeus from having his way. Hera decided to pay Zeus back for his infidelity by making the rest of Hercules' life as miserable as she could" (Crane WEB). Hercules grew up to be a great young warrior and was all around. With this god-like strength, also came an uncontrollable temper that made him react at times without thinking, but later made him realize the wrongdoings of his violence. He later then married a woman named Megara and had two beautiful children. But one day, Hera instilled a fit of rage into Hercules and made him slaughter his family with his very own hands. He was shocked by his actions and asked Apollo for assistance since he was drowning in guilt. Apollo later then gave him specific tasks to help Hercules redeem himself for the bloodshed he caused. The hero was sent to Eurystheus, and under his strict hand, he was to accomplish twelve labors over the next twelve years.

Later on, Zeus appears to Hercules and gives him to the task to become a true hero, so he can then rejoin the Olympians on Mt. Olympus leaving behind his regular life behind. This is when Hercules accepts the call and advances to the next stage, entering the unknown. Emerging himself into a world of mythical creatures. Zeus then provides Hercules with helpers, Pegasus and Phil to assist him with his quest. Without their help it is likely that Hercules would not be able to complete the task (give examples how they did this). Zeus ends up becoming Hercules’ supernatural aid. As king of the gods and Hercule’s true father he has mastered the laws of the outside world and appears to bestow the wisdom Hercules needs to achieve his goal. As Hercules trains to reach divinity, he becomes famous among the citizens. However, when he returns to the Temple of Zeus, Zeus explain that fame is not equivalent to heroism and he must find the true meaning of the word. Afterwards, Hercules encounters his test and supreme ordeal. Along the journey his love interest, Meg, is captured by Hades and the only way to free her is to surrender his

Hercules was a character portrayed in classic Roman Mythology. He was known to be the son of Zeus, and went on many great adventures throughout the lands; saving lives, defeating villains, and slaying treacherous monsters. Throughout his many trials, he gained fame, fortune, and a place amongst the Gods of Olympia. By looking at the mythological stories of Hercules, we can see that many of Joseph Campbell’s “Stages of the Hero’s Journey” can be applied to the stories about him.

Later in the movie we are introduced with Philoctetetes (a goat) the trainer who trains Hercules in gaining valuable exercises and activities that he may later has to challenge. Hercules then encounter with 12 tasks and he overcome them all with his bare hands Phil Comes to realize that Meg Hercules love is betraying him, Hercules ignores him treating him unfair and leaves him. Unfortunately, Hercules found out that it was true ad felt awful forgave Phil he needed him at the end Hercules being a kind individual listened to all the good advice that Philoctetes had to offer.

In the book of Mythology, by Edith Hamilton, the author introduces the Greek hero, Hercules, who is the son of Zeus. The author explains Hercules’ atonement towards a fatal accident that Hercules caused. The accident was so great that he feels a desperate need for purification, so he accomplishes labors that are believed to be incredibly impossible to complete so he can be granted the desire for atonement after the horrific murder of his family.

Greek hero Heracles. Hercules's mother was Alcmena or Alcmene, the wife of King Amphitryon of Troezen. His father was none other than Zeus, the king of the gods, who disguised himself as Amphitryon and visited Alcmena on a night that lasted as long as three ordinary nights. Hera, Zeus' jealous wife, was determined

Hercules' particular descent is the very first aspect that makes him noble and human at the same time. Son of the most symbolic figure in Mythology (Zeus) and a mortal woman (Alcmene), he became immortal after having been fed with Hera's milk as a newborn. Hera also turned into Hercules' greatest enemy as he grew older: hating him for being the proof of Zeus' affairs and involvement with a mortal, she tried everything she could to

Hercules, or known in Latin as Heracles, was the greatest of the Greek heroes, a paragon of masculinity. In art, Hercules was portrayed as a powerful, muscular man wearing lion's skin and armed with a huge club. He was also described as being a macho man buffoon, who was very impulsive. Hercules’ home and birthing place is in Thebes, Greece. Thebes is a city in central Greece. It plays as an important setting in many Greek myths, such as the stories of Cadmus, Oedipus, Dionysus and many other important roles in Greek Mythology. The demigod, Hercules has an interesting origin, he is most famous for his 12 labors, and leaves a legacy in words and expressions.

Hercules was favored by the gods from few quest and even a labor. For the sixth labor the goddess Athena helped Hercules by scaring off the Stymphalian bird he had to do this because the birds were causing a plague with their numbers. Hercules shot arrows at the birds when Athena scared them. Hercules had many terrible experiences with love because of Hera. ”He was helped by Athena to drive them out of their converts. ”(Hamilton 172) Hercules was considered the greatest hero of gods because he had the most strength out of all and great emotion. When he was a baby Hera sent two snakes to kill him but Hercules held them both up and killed them. Even though he is called the greatest this didn't mean he was necessarily good most of the times when he did bad things it was hera controlling his mind. He killed his wife and three children when he was being controlled. “When Megara had borne three sons he went mad.” Later he killed his wife and children.

Hercules marries Megara later, after having proved himself an excellent warrior and she birthed him two daughters. Hera caused Hercules to go crazy, and he killed his wife and daughters. When Hercules finally came to his senses he was distraught, and went to King Eurypterus and requested punishment. King Eurypterus asked the gods to help him come up with a punishment, and Hera is the one that responded to his request.