Hercules Comparison

Many common movie watchers could tell you an immediate overview of the story ‘Hercules'. What many of them wouldn't know is that the story they are telling is only the twisted Disney version of an old Greek myth about an important hero. The general idea, however, happens to be true, a strong man saving lives. But looking closer at the details, the real idea behind the story means so much more. From the birth of Hercules, to upon his ‘death' there are many noticeable similarities, and differences. So lets crack open this book, or movie, and dig up the real truth of Hercules. When Hercules was born the similarities represent their self the most then in any other part of his life. In both the movie and the book, Hercules is born a strong baby with out much wit. Many notice his strength very soon, and are amazed at how a little baby could do suck things. One example of this that is portrayed in the movie as well as the myth is how Hercules kills the snakes with such ease, and glee. Another important part of Hercules's youth is how he is raised. In both stories of Hercules, he is unknowingly raised by adoptive parents. These parents were kind to him, and helped create a productive individual, however holding back the truth was impossible, so he soon found out the real truth about his parents. However, Disney still had a hard time getting all the facts straight about Hercules's youth. One obvious one would be the name of his real mother. In the myth his mothers name is Alcmena, while in the movie her name is Hera. One reason Disney could have changed the name of the mother to Hera, is that, that god is more present in all of Greek myths and by far more popular. Another difference about Hercules growing up is that in the movie it portrays Hercules's parents happily married, however, in the myth version, they didn't not get along at all. There are few similarities of Hercules life as a hero in the myth and movie. One important similarity is how Hercules finds himself having feelings for a girl named Meg. The movie refers to her as ‘Meg' more often, possibly because the commonness of that name in everyday life. In both the myth, and the movie they both find a need to display how Hercules treated his teachers. However the types of teachers used for this example are different, the idea is the same. Hercules at some point finds a need to harm people who are trying to help him, or simply do their job. It depicts how Hercules has fits of anger, and usually regrets them later. Primarily all of Hercules life being a hero, however, is completely different in the book verses the movie. In the movie they give Hercules more tasks then he actually did in the myth. For example, in the movie, Hercules is shown fighting the minator; however Thesus accomplishes this task in the book. Also Hades is shown as a big, mean, ruler of the underworld in the movie. He sends many challenges to Hercules to attempt, in hope to kill him. For example, the movie says the Hades sent the boar as an evil act in the movie, however that intention never existed in the book. The main difference between the book and the movie, is the difference in Hercules's motives. In the movie they illustrate Hercules as a more love-struck man trying to fight these challenges to win over his love, Meg. However in the movie, Hercules passes ladies by with an attitude like buses, there's always another one coming. In the movie, Hades uses Hercules weakness for his love, Meg, to try to kill him and overall, all his powers, and the other gods. Ending Hercules's life has one small, minuet, similarity. That is how the fates chop the string, and decide the final time of death for all heroes, and gods. This is important in Greek myths overall, but it doesn't protain to the story of Hercules very much because in the book, he doesn't reach the fates to decide his destiny. The end of Hercules's life is completely different, in the book and movie, almost as if it is a completely different story. In the movie, Hercules reaches his final goal of becoming a god. This happens right in time when he is saving Meg's life in the underworld. In the myth, however, Hercules turns immortal, which is completely different then that of turning into a god. As the book is opens wider, the more you can notice how the movie follows the book very vaguely. Some minor details link it together close enough to be called the same story, yet the difference greatly outnumber the minor similarities. Now those who just watched the movie will now know that just watching the movie doesn't do justice, to the great, important myth of the hero Hercules.