Hercules: Mythology vs Disney

                Disney may decide to change things for the purpose of the movie but overall you can learn a lot about Greek mythology from Hercules.  Though the story line isn't accurate, it provides a basis for knowing the gods or goddesses and their domains of power.

                Hades the god of the underworld introduces us to a few characters that are in Greek mythology.  When Hades is entering the underworld we see Kharon rowing the boat.  This is a part of the movie that stuck to the mythology.  Kharon is the ferryman on the river, Styx, to the underworld.  Another portrayal of mythology in the movie is Hades three headed dog, Cerberus.  Even though we only saw these character in the movie, it introduced us to a few real aspects of Greek mythology.

               In the beginning of the movie it takes us through a gathering of the gods.  Each god has a symbol on them to give us an idea of their domains.  For instance, we see Dionysus carrying a wine glass around.  Athena with an owl.  Zeus with his bolts.  Hermes with his caduceus.

                Disney also introduces a lot of topics we could have missed.  Phil, the satyr, may not have been Hercules's coach in real Greek mythology, but he does go on a rant that includes a lot of actual mythology legends.

Another cool aspect the producers brought into the movie was that when Phil says, “I've got two words for you kid, ‘I am retired.’”  As a kid I always thought this was weird.  Its three words, not two.  Or is it?  In Greek, I am retired is only two words.

               But do you know the real story of Hercules?  Hercules is a demigod who is the son of Zeus.  He was known for his super strength.  In his adult life he married Princess Megara and had three children.  Hera, Zeus's jealous wife drove Hercules to insanity because she didn't like that Zeus was unfaithful to have Hercules. In the midst of his madness, Hercules kills his children.  Upset that he did this he visits an oracle and then visits Eurystheus.  Eurystheus sends him on 12 journeys.                                                                      *This video is the speech Phil gives in the                                                                                                   movie. Word for word.