Every Mythical Inaccuracy in Disney's Hercules (300,000 subscriber special)

Summary

This video script offers a detailed critique of Disney's adaptation of the Greek mythological hero Heracles, highlighting inaccuracies and creative liberties taken in the portrayal of characters, events, and mythology. The narrator, a fan of both Disney and the original Heracles myth, humorously points out discrepancies such as the incorrect number of muses, Zeus's role in defeating the titans, and the misrepresentation of Hades. The script also corrects misconceptions about Heracles's life, labors, and eventual godhood, providing a comparison between the movie and the source material that is both informative and entertaining.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The script is a critique of Disney's adaptation of the Hercules myth, highlighting inaccuracies and differences from the original Greek mythology.
• 🔍 It emphasizes the correct name 'Heracles' instead of 'Hercules', which is the Roman version of the hero's name used in the movie.
• 🌟 The video points out that the portrayal of Zeus defeating the Titans is incorrect; he actually had help from Cyclopes and other Titans.
• 👥 The number of Muses is inaccurately represented as five in the movie, when there are traditionally nine in Greek mythology.
• 👶 The script corrects the movie's depiction of Heracles' birth and family, noting that his mother is Alcmene, not Hera, and he is a demigod, not born a god.
• 🐉 The Hydra is misrepresented in the movie; Heracles fought it in the swamps of Lerna and used fire to prevent regrowth of its heads.
• 🦄 The script humorously corrects the movie's depiction of Pegasus' birth and its relationship with Heracles, who never rode the creature in mythology.
• 🔥 It clarifies that Hades is not the god of fire, which is Hephaestus, and that Hades is not as villainous as portrayed in the movie.
• 🤝 The video script corrects the movie's depiction of Heracles' character, emphasizing his intelligence and tactical thinking in overcoming his labors.
• 🌌 The script notes that Heracles did not reject godhood at the end of his life; instead, he accepted it and became a god after his death.
• 💔 The movie incorrectly pairs Heracles with Megara, whereas in mythology, he ended up with Hebe, the goddess of eternal youth.

Q & A

Why does the narrator correct the name 'Hercules' to 'Heracles'?

The narrator corrects the name to 'Heracles' because the story is set in ancient Greece, and 'Heracles' is the Greek version of his name, while 'Hercules' is the Roman version. The script emphasizes the Greek setting and context.

What is the discrepancy regarding the number of Muses in the script?

The script mentions that there are only five Muses depicted, whereas in Greek mythology, there are actually nine Muses. This discrepancy is pointed out for accuracy.

How does the script inaccurately portray Zeus' victory over the Titans?

The script inaccurately states that Zeus single-handedly defeated the Titans, when in reality, he enlisted the help of the Cyclopes, his siblings, and some Titans themselves to overthrow them.

What is the correct relationship between Zeus and Heracles in Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology, Zeus is the father of Heracles, but Heracles' mother is Alcmene, not Hera. Hera is Zeus' wife and is known to harbor hatred towards Heracles due to his birth from one of Zeus' many affairs.

Why is the script's portrayal of Narcissus incorrect?

The script humorously suggests that if Narcissus 'discovered himself,' he should be a flower, which is a play on words. However, in mythology, Narcissus is known for falling in love with his own reflection, not for any transformation into a flower.

What is the actual origin of Pegasus in Greek mythology?

Pegasus was not born in the manner described in the script. In Greek mythology, Pegasus sprang from the severed neck of Medusa after Perseus beheaded her.

How does the script misrepresent Hades' character?

The script inaccurately portrays Hades as mean and ruthless. In Greek mythology, Hades is more neutral and is not typically depicted as a villain. He is the god of the underworld and has moments of helpfulness and charity.

What are the actual roles of Deimos and Phobos in Greek mythology?

Deimos and Phobos are the gods of terror and panic in Greek mythology. They are the children of Ares and usually accompany him on the battlefield, not serving Hades in the underworld as the script suggests.

Why is the script's depiction of the Fates incorrect?

The script incorrectly suggests that the Fates share one eye, which is actually a characteristic of the Gray Sisters. The Fates, in mythology, are three distinct entities, each responsible for different aspects of a person's life: spinning, measuring, and cutting the thread of life.

What is the script's error regarding Heracles' half-brother?

The script does not mention Iphicles, who is Heracles' half-brother in Greek mythology. Iphicles is the son of Zeus and Alcmene, the same parents as Heracles, making him his half-brother.

How does the script inaccurately describe the process of becoming a god in Greek mythology?

The script suggests that by proving oneself a true hero, one could automatically become a god, which is not a concept found in Greek mythology. Deification in Greek mythology is a complex process and not solely based on heroic deeds.