Hercules and Hera

Definition

Hercules, known as Heracles in Greek mythology, is a legendary hero famed for his incredible strength and daring adventures, while Hera is the queen of the gods and the goddess of marriage and family. Their relationship is marked by conflict due to Hera's jealousy towards Hercules, whom she perceives as a rival because he is the illegitimate son of her husband, Zeus. This animosity significantly shapes Hercules' early life, fueling many of his challenges and heroic feats.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hera was particularly resentful of Hercules because he was born from Zeus's affair with Alcmene, leading her to make his life difficult from the very start.
2. To punish Hercules as a baby, Hera sent two serpents to kill him in his crib, but he famously strangled them both with his bare hands.
3. Hercules' trials often stemmed from Hera's jealous schemes, including his eventual madness that caused him to kill his own family.
4. Hera later played a role in helping Hercules achieve redemption, allowing him to gain immortality after he completed the Labors.
5. Despite their tumultuous relationship, some myths depict moments where Hera shows grudging respect or support for Hercules as a hero.

Review Questions

• How did Hera's jealousy influence the early challenges faced by Hercules?
  • Hera's jealousy heavily impacted Hercules' early life and shaped many of his challenges. From his infancy, she tried to kill him by sending serpents to his crib. As he grew up, her resentment manifested in various ways, including driving him to madness, which led to him committing unthinkable acts against his own family. This tumultuous start made his journey toward becoming a hero fraught with obstacles largely orchestrated by Hera.
• Discuss the significance of the Labors of Hercules in relation to his complex relationship with Hera.
  • The Labors of Hercules are significant as they represent both punishment and a path to redemption, intricately linked to his conflict with Hera. Assigned as penance for killing his family due to Hera's manipulation, these twelve tasks challenged him physically and mentally. Completing them not only showcased his heroic qualities but also allowed him to gain some semblance of approval from the gods, including Hera, who ultimately recognized his strength and determination.
• Evaluate the duality of Hera's role in Hercules' life as both adversary and eventual supporter throughout his journey.
  • Hera's role in Hercules' life embodies a duality that reflects themes of jealousy and eventual acknowledgment. Initially serving as a formidable adversary who seeks to thwart him at every turn due to her anger over Zeus's infidelity, she complicates his journey with numerous trials. However, as Hercules demonstrates resilience and achieves greatness through the Labors, there are moments where Hera seems to begrudgingly respect him, showcasing a complexity in her character that shifts from pure malice to a nuanced recognition of his heroic endeavors.

Related terms

Zeus: The king of the gods in Greek mythology, known for his power and numerous affairs, including his relationship with Alcmene, which resulted in Hercules' birth.

Labors of Hercules: A series of twelve tasks that Hercules was assigned to complete as penance for killing his family, driven by Hera's influence and manipulation.

Alcmene: Hercules' mortal mother, whose union with Zeus led to Hercules' birth, making him a demigod and a target of Hera's wrath.