Eager 3
T. Lynn Eager
Dr. Tim Shea
English 586
Film Rationale
Hercules (1997)
Directed by Ron Clements, & John Musker
Genre & Length
Fiction animated film- 93 minutes
Grade Level & Audience
This film is rated for all ages but for this example it will be used for a 050 remedial English composition course.
Relevant Common Core Standards for College Readiness
Reading
Through reading a diverse array of classic and contemporary literature as well as challenging informational texts in a range of subjects, students are expected to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspective. Because the standards are building blocks for successful classrooms, but recognize that teachers, school districts and states need to decide on appropriate curriculum, they intentionally do not offer a reading list. Instead, they offer numerous sample texts to help teachers prepare for the school year and allow parents and students to know what to expect at the beginning of the year.
Writing
The ability to write logical arguments based on substantive claims, sound reasoning, and relevant evidence is a cornerstone of the writing standards, with opinion writing—a basic form of argument—extending down into the earliest grades.
Summary
The film opens with the celebration of the birth of Zeus and Hera’s baby son, Hercules. Hades, the god of the underworld, derives a plan to unleash the Titans (who have been imprisoned by Zeus) and rule the world. The only problem with his plan is Hercules, who could spoil everything for Hades.
Hades sends his minions, Pain and Panic, to turn Hercules into a mortal and kill him using a potion. The minions kidnap the baby and take him to earth but in their rush to see the job completed they failed to give the baby the very last drop of poison, which allows Hercules to retain his incredible strength. A childless couple foils the plan to kill Hercules but the minions lie to Hades, who now believes there is nothing that can stop him from ruling Olympus.
The childless couple raised Hercules and when he becomes a teenager they tell him about his past. Hercules journeys to the temple of Zeus where he learns who he really is and how he can regain his place on Olympus. He is reunited with Pegasus, who was given to Hercules at birth and the two of them set of to find Phil, who will teach Hercules how to be a hero.
After completing hero’s training, Hercules meets the beautiful Meg, who turns out to be Hades’ pawn. Hercules falls under Meg spell putting Olympus in jeopardy of being over taken by Hades. Can Hercules over come this newfound weakness to save Olympus? Watch and see.
Thematic and Textual Connections
This film helps students to visualize the seventeen steps of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey,” which included the departure, initiation, and the return of the hero. The film also introduces Greek architecture such as the Parthenon and Greek pottery in the form of mourning vases, which are seen throughout the film. Drama and literature are very important to Greek society and the tragedies make a huge impact. Show YouTube clips of “Oedipus Rex” and “Euripides” both plays can be downloaded and copied through Project Gutenberg. Followed by selections from the epic poem “The Odyssey” and for visual interest, show clips from Oh Brother Where Art Thou, which is loosely based on the poem. The focus is not necessarily on fictional heroes, but more importantly, real people.
Strength & Unique Characteristics of the Film
Disney tends to bat it out of the park with their animated films, and their movies appeal to all age groups. The humor is targeted to both young and old without simplifying the storyline. The film is a nice example of a hero’s journey with the departure of Hercules from Mt. Olympus to his initiation during training with Phil, and his eventual return to Olympus. The film does a nice job taking the visual images and applying them to the myth. The greatest strength Disney exhibits in this film is that a hero can be a normal guy without any specials skills.
Possible Objections
This film does a pretty nice job highlighting a hero’s journey but sails right through the twelve labors of Hercules, so as the instructor I would discuss the labors but not require the students to point them out.
Awards & Reviews
Nominated for an Oscar (1998), Best Music and Original Song. Won the ASCAP award (1998), for Top Box Office Films.
“Hercules is a crackling Disney film and for once it’s not just for kids. The animation is more like the “old school” Disney, before the cute, big-eye syndrome and the characters are hugely entertaining. It has sly humor and in-jokes, but what sets it apart are the songs; soul, RNB, jazz, and not drippy sugar-song in sight. Quite entertaining.”
J. D. Poole London, England
“Light on its feet and continually amusing, this free spirited show-biz version of Greek mythology ranks with the best of modern Disney animation.”
Kenneth Turan Los Angeles Times
Previewing Activities
1. To give the students of sense of what the Greeks offered to modern society, show students examples of Greek architecture that can be found throughout Greece and Pennsylvania.
2. The Greek society liked to boast of their accomplishments and where they did that best was in the artwork that covered their pottery and through epic poetry. Create a power point presentation to impress upon the students the importance of pottery in Greek society. Create a handout featuring memorable line from both the Iliad and the Odyssey.
3. The Greek tragedies are the beginning of all students education in literature and many have been video taped and can be seen on YouTube. Show clips from Oedipus Rex and Medea.
4. Briefly discuss the twelve labors bestowed on Hercules by the goddess Hera.
Viewing Day One: Chapters 1- 16 0:00 – 44:00
The film is introduced by the muses, who give a rundown of the myth and is directly followed by a celebration honoring the birth of Hercules. Everything seems happy and tranquil until the arrival of Hades. Hades, the god of the underworld, has his sights set on taking over Olympus. Hercules is left for dead, until he is found and adopted by a childless, peasant couple. Hercules thrives in the care of his adoptive parents and grows into an awkward adolescent but he constantly feels out of place. Later, it is revealed to Hercules who his parents are and the journey begins.
Discussion Questions:
1. Describe what you think is a hero’s welcome. Is it different from the one shown in the film, explain the differences?
2. Our Gulf War Vets received a hero’s welcoming upon their return to the United States, from what you know, how did this differ from the Vietnam Vets?
Viewing Day Two: Chapters 16- 33 44:00- 93:00
This viewing opens on one of the twelve labors, which is slaying the Hydra that is in the shape of a multi-headed dragon. Hercules skates through the remainder of the twelve labors and presents himself back to Zeus as a hero. Zeus turns him away but inviting Hercules to return once he has become a “true hero.” In the meantime, Hades’ plan to claim Olympus is unfolding and through trickery, he has made Hercules a mortal. As a mortal Hercules no longer retains his super-human strength, but that is not the end of Hercules. How can he battle Hades without his incredible strength? Through the love of a woman and a great horse, that’s how.
Discussion Questions:
1. If your hero were a famous person, what twelve labors would you like to see them fulfill in order to be given the status of a hero?
2. We as a society call a lot of people hero; do you think the term is used loosely? What characteristics or accomplishments makes one a hero?
Final Project
Students will write a five- paragraph essay on the hero’s journey, using Joseph Campbell’s seventeen stages. The students can use a fictional hero or person they admire as the basis of their essay.