A Classicists Exploration

When the discussion of Ancient Greek representation begins, it often begins with Disney’s 1997 animated spectacular, Hercules, but how accurate to the myth is it?

I grew up with this film. Before studying Classics, I had no idea how inaccurate it was to ancient history, even the name is technically wrong as the film is set in Greece, technically, it should be Heracles. There is one thing I should make clear before this continues; I adore the film and adore the fact it got so many children interested in Classics, like myself. It’s important to get children interested in history and show them what we came from, and a fantastic film like Hercules is a great way to do that. I’ve just always had an interest in Classical reception and find it fascinating how Greek myths are edited for a particular audience, so without further ado; an exploration of Disney’s Hercules.

Firstly, the Muses are a fantastic feature, the goddesses of theatre and music, telling the story of Heracles in the form of song. It’s a wonderful reference to Greek theatre and really takes the young audience into the world of Ancient Greece and its many fascinating stories. The songs are catchy and are reminiscent of the choral odes that would feature in Greek plays. Their entrance and continued features are also a brilliant nod to the architecture and art of Ancient Greece, such as vases and severe style statues.

One of the main features of Disney’s Hercules, is the love subplot between Hercules and Megara as Hercules completes the trials (as shown when he’s having his vase painted and he’s decorated with the skin of the Nemean Lion, his first labor, the typical accompaniment to a statue and portrait of Heracles). In Disney’s version, Hercules falls in love with Meg during his labors and ends up sacrificing his life in order to bring her back, a true testament to their love. However, this has been altered from the myth, where Heracles kills Meg and their child and begins his trials afterward, as a form of redemption. It’s quite clear why this was changed for Disney’s audience, they’re obviously not afraid to make a story with a sad and devastating beginning (just watching Up is enough to determine that), but the murder of a wife and child by the hero of their story might have been a bit extreme. Like many of their alterations, it’s very understandable that they altered this part of the story. The reference to the Nemean Lion is also something that I very much appreciate, as that coincides perfectly with what Heracles was always pictured with, showing that the producers and writers did do their research, and knew what they were doing when altering the story for children.

Something else I very much enjoy about the film is the references to the 20th Century, when it was made. This brings the brilliance of Greek myths to a modern-day audience, referencing lemonade, self-merchandising, and modern footwear. This brings the whole story and concept of Greek myths to the modern day and makes it a way to be more interesting for a younger audience, relating it to a world that they know.

Another point that’s very different in the film to the myth, is who trained Heracles. In the film, Philoctetes trained Hercules, but in some versions of the myth, Heracles is trained by Chiron, a centaur. Once again, the look of Philoctetes in the film of Hercules will have been more appealing to a younger audience, as the look of Phil was quite small and easier to animate. A centaur was also used as a villain in the film, so to use a centaur as a villain as well as having one train Hercules would have given mixed messages to a younger audience.

There are many things I could say about the film of Hercules and comparing it to the many myths of Heracles, but I shall leave this here. Regardless of what you think of the film, it was a big step to bringing Classics to a new generation and opened the minds of many young Classicists, eager to learn more about the fantastical world that Disney opened to a young generation. Disney’s 1997 film of Hercules was paramount to the continuation of the education of Classics and is responsible for many people, including me, becoming interested in this fascinating subject.