Heracles: A Primary Example of Joseph’s Campbell’s Hero’s Journey

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

Heroes, as shown in literature, often undertake the most difficult tasks and place themselves in mortal danger in order to bring back, for themselves and their societies, both knowledge and treasure. Their stories follow “Hero Journey.” The Odyssey, as the epic story of the hero Odysseus, follows closely the complete cycle of a Hero Journey, both as a physical and as a psychological undertaking. The Hero Journey, used as a framework for both Odysseus’ physical and mental journeys, serves to bind the two together. Each of Odysseus’s physical difficulties can be viewed as a metaphor for a psychological hardship that he must overcome, and by overcoming these hardships, Odysseus matures—achieving a more complete understanding of himself and

One day Hera, still wanting to wreak havoc upon Hercules’ life, influenced Hercules to kill his own wife and children. When Hercules came to his senses and realized what he had done, he was overcome with grief. He immediately went to the oracle at Delphi and asked how he could cleanse himself of his sins. The Oracle replied, “You must go to Mycenae and serve King Eurystheus for twelve years. Only by doing this will you ever be free of your pain and guilt” (Richardson and Baxter 10).

In the Greek literature of mythology, we have examined Odysseus. Students and scholars alike debate whether Odysseus was a true hero, as read in The Odyssey. There is much supporting evidence to prove all sides of the debate and opinions held of Odysseus. It is of my opinion that Odysseus is a hero in his homeland, his family, the Greek people, and for us to learn from to this day. Odysseus had encompassed three many qualities that I believe made him a hero. He embodied, mental strength, physical strength, and spiritual strength. I would like to advocate for why Odysseus was a hero.

    Most people think of a hero as a strong, superior, good-looking person that could never make a mistake. However, in a story called The Odyssey, a connection to real life reveals imperfections to be common in heroes. Each person has their low points and highlights, regardless of their “rank”. The author and epic poet, Homer, exemplifies our main character, Odysseus, to take on this idea of a hero throughout his writing. The time period took place in Ancient Greece, allowing Greek culture to relate to the poem. Different aspects of such culture and history may have influenced the works and creativity of Homer as well. A major point includes The Trojan War because it focuses in on Odysseus’ journey to bring Helen back home by devising a plan to destroy warriors in the city. Acknowledge this factor when reading The Odyssey, for not only evidence of heroism, but also other major points of archetypes, in which the device reflects the insights of readers in modern time and what is seen from Ancient Greek culture.

Throughout the Odyssey, Odysseus experiences many ups and downs throughout his journey home. He is throw into peril and there often seems to be no hope for his return home. While he remains victorious in the end, returning to his wife, son, and father, the poem itself is filled with many darker moments filled with doubt and sadness. Odysseus is the hero of the Odyssey, and in order to exist as a hero he must be relatable. His story cannot be one entirely of triumph, it must include a more human perspective. Triumph cannot come without strife, and heroism cannot come without tribulation. Athena and Odysseus’ experiences as divine and human, respectively, and define whether or not they are heroes. By comparing Odysseus to Athena, it is apparent that what makes Odysseus a hero before anything else is his humanity.

Since the days of mythological origin to the origin of pop culture, various mythological stories have been adopted and presented to newer generations. Some of these presented adaptations of mythological stories have significantly been modified in order to be deemed entertaining by audiences in a pop culture generation. Thus, my study will seek to compare mythological hero's during their time to how they have been depicted in modern day. Moreover, my study will analyze the similarities and differences between the Greek hero Heracles and his replica character, Hercules, depicted in Disney's adaptation of this myth. Although there are few similarities between the two versions, the differences between Heracles and Disney's Hercules are

Myths consists of many legendary heroes within, but what makes them different from an ordinary person. Many convey that it is not very challenging to be a hero, but wise ones know the struggles of being a hero, which the texts “Theseus” and “The Adventure of Odysseus”, written in the book “Mythology” by Edith Hamilton proves. Heroes may require help from others, but more often than not, they are fearless fighters who do not need the aid of others to be successful. Heroes might easily gain credits for the work of their fellow allies, but that does not mean it is easy to be a hero. A true hero should not be afraid of pain or death just like the great legend Theseus. At the same time, these heroes must be like the extraordinary hero Odysseus, who is successful in his heroic journey.

After having steered his ship alone for nine days and nights, Odysseus explains to the Phaeacians, “‘On the tenth [day] our own land hove into sight at last—we were so close...a sudden squall...swept us back to sea, wailing, in tears, far from our own native land...my spirit churning—should I leap over the side and drown at once or grit my teeth and bear it, stay among the living? I bore it all, held firm, clinging tight to the decks…,’” (10.33-59). Through the crew’s “‘wailing’” and “‘tears’” and Odysseus’s nearly drowning himself from “spirit-churning” sorrow for home, his love for Ithaca is revealed. Odysseus anchors himself firmly in his ship, for his love of his “‘native land’” is a greater reward than death is pain. Odysseus’s decision to stay alive for the sake of returning home causes the reader to ponder what magnitude of love and value would cause someone to willingly destroy himself from pain of being denied it. When Odysseus, a hero with a driving purpose, “‘grit[s] his teeth’” and “‘bear[s]’” the struggle of staying alive, the reader is reminded of his own moments of weakness when he’s had to suffer and fight, and for what cause. If those fortunate enough to have opportunities to influence those around them cannot recognize their values and purposes, their good intentions are unable to yield results. Giving dedication to things greater than the modern superficialness of portraying ourselves as we want to be seen is what, when unified with the intensity of others, has the ability to create organized and beautiful results in a world with many goals, but trouble prioritizing and executing them. Odysseus would not have been a hero to his people and all who followed him if it were not for the

Hercules learns his lesson of not being selfish and to have an open heart when he finishes his labors and becomes a god Zeus says this ““A true hero isn't measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his

In the Hebrew Bible and The Odyssey there are heroic figures that play an important role through out each of the books. These heroic figures from the Bible and The Odyssey have many similarities and differences that reflect the different cultures they are from. These heroes are called upon by greater beings, such as gods, to complete difficult journeys and or tasks that the god has made them destined to complete. Each of these legendary heroes demonstrates a particular culture’s needs. Through these journeys and or tasks they are forced to overcome challenging obstacles and make sacrifices.

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.

     The inhabitants of different cities had their fears put to rest when Heracles came to town. Many of the twelve tasks that Heracles endured involved killing things that had the people living in fear. The people of the cities as well as continued generations following considered Heracles to the greatest of heroes. The Disney version, Hercules, the Latin name for Heracles, was a completely different version. Its portrayal of the story was inaccurate in a lot of ways. It painted the picture as Hercules’ enemy being Hades. It depicted Hercules through the eyes of what society considers a hero now.

Several words and phrases have come into English from the ancient tales of Heracles. Heracles, known to the Romans as Hercules, was a major figure in Greek myth and legend. The numerous words and phrases that have come into English predominantly stem from the Twelve Labors of Heracles, which refer to as a series of very difficult undertakings. Heracles was sentenced to these twelve exceptionally difficult tasks as a form of punishment for the killing of his own children. The four main phrases that derive from the ancient tales of Heracles include: Apples of the Hesperides, Augean Stables, Hydra-Headed Problem, and Atlas.

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.