Hercules (1997) is an animated feature film released by Walt
Disney Pictures. The movie is loosely based on the hero Hercules, son of Zeus,
in Greek mythology.
Hercules is a great example of The Hero’s Journey as the
story is about a legendary hero having to complete tasks to earn the rights to
live amongst the gods. Below is a chart of Joseph Campbell's version of the Hero's Journey.
1 Call to Adventure – The Call to Adventure in this film is
when the young Hercules visits the temple of Zeus looking for answers and finds
out that that Zeus is his long lost father. Zeus then tells Hercules that In
order for him to return home and live amongst the gods Hercules would have to
become a true hero.
2 Refusal of the
3 Supernatural Aid Call – After speaking with Zeus, Hercules
goes to find the most famous hero trainer (Philoctetes). What he found was a
perverted old goat spying on a group of nymph as they were bathing.
4 Crossing the Threshold – As Hercules spoke with Zeus he
found himself in-between to world, the ordinary farm boy and the young demi
god. He then decides to go down the path of becoming a hero.
5 Belly of the Whale – When Hercules was tricked into
freeing the hydra, he got swallowed by the beast and so he cuts the hydra’s
neck from the inside. Moments later he finds himself in more trouble as the
hydra comes back to life with more heads.
6 Road of Trials – After Hercules defeats the hydra and the citizen
of Thebes begins to recognise him as a hero. The music starts and we see the
heroic Hercules goes through the literal “Trials” of the “Twelve Labours”.
7 Meeting the Goddess – Hercules met Meg for the first time
as she was in the hands of a monstrous centaur. At this part of the film there
are two meanings to the term goddess. One being Meg as the physical meaning and
the other being the opportunity Hercules to become the hero and save the damsel
in distress.
8 Woman as temptress – After Hercules saves Meg from the centaur
he cur comes to Megs charms and begins to like her.
9 Atonement with Father – Hercules and Phil have a falling out
and Meg persuades Phil to go back and help Hercules.
10 Apotheosis – Meg gets hurt thus breaking the deal with Hades
and Hercules’s strength returns to him. As she lies the in his arms Meg
confesses her love to Hercules which gave him a boost of motivation.
11 The Ultimate Boon – With the noble act of self-sacrifice
to save Meg, Hercules has become a “True Hero” thus returning his god hood and
becomes immortal.
12 Refusal of Return – With his powers taken away Hercules
refuses to stay out of the fight with the Cyclops.
13 Magic Flight – Hercules regains his strength and flies
off on Pegasus to rescues the gods.
14 Rescue from Without – Meg pushes Hercules out of the way
of a falling column which results in herself getting badly injured.
15 Crossing the Return Threshold – Hercules defeats the titans
and successfully save Olympus.
16 Master of Two Worlds – In the end, Zeus offers Hercules a
place in mount Olympus to live amongst the gods.
17 Freedom to live – Hercules refuses the offer because he
wants to live his life as a mortal with Meg.
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