Mythology and Interpretation
-Euripides’ play hints at some of the variations on Heracles myths-why draw attention to the discrepancies between stories?
-what effects do the different myths have on our reading of the play?
Some Myths
-Zeus- father of Heracles
-raised by Amphityron and Alcmena
-why might it matter who father was?
-glorified son of god able to overcome odds?
-incurs persecution of Zeus’ wife Hera
-Hera- goddess of marriage- doubly insulted
-Disney v. Greek Myth
-Disney- Hercules is son of Zeus and Hera
-Hades with the help of his bumbling demons plots Hercules’ demise
-12 Labours of Hercules
-Amphityron states Heracles purpose was to “free the world of savage monsters”
-underlying reason?
-“whether it was that Hera goaded him to submit to this”
Or
-“that fate was leagued against him” (lines 20-25)
-Lycus’s tone when discussing Heracles’ accomplishments
“After all, what was the fine exploit your husband achieved, if he did kill a hydra in a marsh or that monster of Nemea?” (lines 150-155)
-Lycus’ similar criticism of Heracles’ choice of weapons
“The monster which“he caught in a snare, for all he says he strangled it to death in his arms. Are these your weapons for the hard struggle? Is it for this then that Heracles' children should be spared? A man who has won a reputation for valor in his contests with beasts, in all else a weakling; who never buckled shield to arm nor faced the spear, but with a bow, that coward's weapon, was ever ready to run away. Archery is no test of manly bravery; no! he is a man who keeps his post in the ranks and steadily faces the swift wound the spear may plough.” (lines 155-165)
-Amphityron’s reply
“Next you disparage that clever invention, an archer's weapon; come, listen to me and learn wisdom. A man who fights in line is a slave to his weapons, and if his fellow-comrades want for courage he is slain himself through the cowardice of his neighbors, or, if he breaks his spear, he cannot defend his body from death, having only one means of defence; whereas all who are armed with the trusty bow, though they have but one weapon, yet is it the best; for a man, after discharging countless arrows, still has others with which to defend himself from death, and standing at a distance keeps off the enemy, wounding them for all their watchfulness with invisible shafts, and never exposing himself to the foe, but keeping under cover; and this is by far the wisest course in battle, to harm the enemy and keep safe oneself, independent of chance. These arguments are completely opposite to yours with regard to the point at issue.” (lines 189-205)
-Madness of Heracles
-Euripides- Heracles goes mad after finished 12 Labours
Iris’s explanation:
“ For until he had finished all his grievous labors, Destiny was preserving him, nor would father Zeus ever suffer me or Hera to harm him. [830] But now that he has accomplished the labors of Eurystheus, Hera wishes to brand him with the guilt of shedding kindred blood by slaying his own children, and I wish it also.” (lines 826-834)
-bringing fighting back home with him?
-twist on the idea of a happy homecoming scene?
-this bit definitely did not make it into the Disney movie
A Few Sources
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0102%3Acard%3D822
http://www.maicar.com/GML/DisneyHercules.html
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/HeraWrath.html
