Hercules: Hero's Journey

This is the original world of the hero, which "suffers from a symbolic deficiency." The hero is lacking something, or something is taken from him. The son of Zeus, Hercules was kidnapped and brought back to Earth, where he lives in a typical village with adopted parents. Having been transformed into a human, he doesn't feel like he belongs in the ordinary world. Others often make fun and persecute him for his actions and excessive strength.

The hero must now deal with the consequences of their actions. They may be pursued by remaining forces. They now face the decision to return to the ordinary world. 

The hero must now deal with the consequences of their actions. They may be pursued by remaining forces. They now face the decision to return to the ordinary world.Hercules stood with Meg in the brilliant and mystical land of the world. Suddenly, a immensely strong bolt of thunder struck and Hercules was summoned to none other than the waiting arms his father. He had finally done it. He had become a true hero, and was finally reinvited to the long sought world of the gods: Olympus.  

The hero has committed to his task, and enters the special world. Often he is met by a threshold guardian. 

The hero has committed to his task, and enters the special world. Often he is met by a threshold guardian. His skill was demonstrated several times when Hercules performed his heroic actions, such as saving a woman named Meg. After arriving in a village called Thebes, he begins his true journey as a hero.

The hero is given a challenge, problem, or adventure. Often it appears as a blunder, or chance. This stage establishes the goal of the hero. This is the herald. The herald may be a person calling the hero to the cause.

The hero is given a challenge, problem, or adventure. Often it appears as a blunder, or chance. This stage establishes the goal of the hero. This is the herald. The herald may be a person calling the hero to the cause. After several long years in his village, he was finally found by gods, and was brought to Zeus's temple. He learned that he was born as a god, though he couldn't be brought back to Olympus because he had been turned into a human. However, if he proved himself a worthy hero, then he would be reunited with his father and brought back to Olympus.

The (often) reluctant hero has to be set along the correct path. He must weigh the consequences and be excited by a stronger motivation to proceed further.

The (often) reluctant hero has to be set along the correct path. He must weigh the consequences and be excited by a stronger motivation to proceed further.Hercules did not truly understand what it took to become a hero. From his limited understanding, Hercules believed that becoming a hero did not take much. His ignorance had shaped his beliefs, and he would have to overcome this belief to become a true hero. Later, Zeus would describe it as something Hercules had to find inside his heart.

The hero encounters a wise figure who prepares him for the journey. This figure (or item) gives advice, guidance, or an item, but cannot go with the hero. The mentor may gift the hero with a supernatural aid, or may be the supernatural aid themselves.

The hero encounters a wise figure who prepares him for the journey. This figure (or item) gives advice, guidance, or an item, but cannot go with the hero. The mentor may gift the hero with a supernatural aid, or may be the supernatural aid themselves. Hercules arrives at Philoctetes and is guided and taught by Phil to prepare for his adventures. Throughout his strenuous and dangerous training, He learns several skills and gains strength, knowledge, and wisdom.

In the special world, the hero learns the new rules by meeting people and obtaining new information. There is often a "local watering hole" component. This is where the true characteristics of the hero are revealed. 

In the special world, the hero learns the new rules by meeting people and obtaining new information. There is often a "local watering hole" component. This is where the true characteristics of the hero are revealed. In Thebes, he encounters his first major roadblock. Everyone underestimated his strength and misinterpreted his intentions. His first chance to prove himself came when two "boys" were trapped under a rockslide. After saving them, they turned out to be imposters and were actually Hade's minions. Hades had brought Hydra, a seemingly immortal monster, to kill Hercules. Hercules was strong enough to kill Hydra, and once again proved himself worthy. He had saved Thebes and became famous in all of Greece.

Now our hero, and often his allies, have come to the edge of the dangerous place where the "object of the quest" is hidden. This stage often is the land of the dead. 

Now our hero, and often his allies, have come to the edge of the dangerous place where the "object of the quest" is hidden. This stage often is the land of the dead.After his success and victories, Hercules had returned to Zeus's temple. Unfortunately, he had been rejected despite his heroic actions. He was sent back with a quest for even grander and more heroic actions. It was something he had to find inside his heart and soul to achieve. Instead, he returns back to Thebes and continues his quest, keeping his eyes open for any opportunities.

The hero faces danger, often a life-or-death moment that is either physical or psychological. 

The hero faces danger, often a life-or-death moment that is either physical or psychological. Hercules is brought to Hades and all his strength is taken away, on the condition that Meg stays unharmed. Hades is planning to destroy Hercules and crush Zeus. Hades sends out titans to attack Olympus. However, with his strength handicap, Hercules could not fight the titans and is on the verge of death. After a long fought battle, Hercules had nearly been crushed by the pillar and only survived because Meg had saved him. Unfortunately, in order to save Hercules, Meg became trapped trapped and was crushed. However, her death had allowed Hercules to gain his strength back, as Zeus had said. Hercules had won the battle, despite the seemingly insurmountable odds. After barely winning the battle, Hercules's journey was far from over. Although he had gained his strength back, Meg's soul had been trapped by Hades in the "lake for dead souls". Meg had saved Hercules's life and he was willing to sacrifice his all for Meg. Thus, Hercules made a deal with Hades to save Meg for his soul. After Hades had sneeringly agreed to the deal, Hercules plunged into the lake without a trace of hesitation. As time slowly passed, Hercules was visibly aging and was on the verge of death. He had yet to reach Meg and his life literally depended on the line. In the final moments, as he reached his hand to save Meg, the line snapped. Yet to the amazement of Hades, the line magically connected and Hercules found out that he was immortal. Hercules had finally found what his heart and soul wanted, something he had yearned ever since he was a little boy.

After surviving, our hero takes possession of the object, typically a treasure, weapon, knowledge, token, or reconciliation. 

After surviving, our hero takes possession of the object, typically a treasure, weapon, knowledge, token, or reconciliation. His actions had brought him to the four corners of the world, and he had finally found out what he truly wanted. In short, he knew where he belonged: with Meg. All he needed now was to find out how he would get there.

One final test is required for the purification and rebirth of the hero. Alternatively, it may be a miraculous transformation.

One final test is required for the purification and rebirth of the hero. Alternatively, it may be a miraculous transformation.Hercules realized that all he wants is Meg, and that he would give up anything to be with Meg. Thus, he decides to become a mortal and life on earth with Meg, where he belongs.

The triumphant hero returns to the ordinary world with their reward. Common rewards are treasure, love, freedom, wisdom, or knowledge. The hero may decide to stay in their new world but return one final time to say goodbye.

The triumphant hero returns to the ordinary world with their reward. Common rewards are treasure, love, freedom, wisdom, or knowledge. The hero may decide to stay in their new world but return one final time to say goodbye. Hades returned to earth and returns to his adopted parents where he lives with Meg. Now, at long last, his heart and soul felt complete.