Character Analysis
Hercules is seen as an incredibly strong but clumsy boy trying to find where he belongs in the world. He accidentally knocks down an entire town square. His story can be compared to that of the iconic Superman. He is from a place other than earth with super strength, that was adopted by earthly parents and that does not fit in as a kid due to his super strength but eventually finds his place in the world. Hercules's character is not that complicated as compared with other characters. He basically is a strong hero that just wants to fit in. He falls in love and risks it all to be with her and rescue her. This is the formula we have seen from many Disney heroes but Hercules although has super strength is still very real and relatable. Disney achieves this with making him this clumsy, awkward, trusting, and selfless person which is very relatable for the typical kid and audience member.
Meg is a very dynamic and complex character. Her most outstanding line of the film is "I am a damsel, I am in distress, I can handle this. Have a nice day." This sassy line puts an entirely new spin on the idea of Disneys normal princesses and damsels in distress. It shows that although a women, she does not need a prince charming or a hero to save her from the bad guys. She gets even more complex when we find out she is working for Hades because she sold her soul to him to save the life of her boyfriend. This shows a more vulnerable side to her. We also see other sides of her as she is falling in love with Hercules. The audience gets to see a more genuine side compared to the front she puts up in order to seem stronger and less emotional than your typical women character. She also sacrifices herself for Hercules at one point which shows how much she truly cares for him. Meg is a multi-faceted character that we get to see progress as the movie goes on.
