Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Hercules explained
This chapter recounts the life and labors of Hercules, the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, from his miraculous infancy to his apotheosis.
What happens
This chapter recounts the life and labors of Hercules, the son of Jupiter and Alcmena, from his miraculous infancy to his apotheosis. It details the Twelve Labors imposed by Eurystheus, including the Nemean lion, the Hydra, the Augean stables, the girdle of Hippolyta, the oxen of Geryon, the golden apples of the Hesperides, and the capture of Cerberus. It also covers his victory over Antaeus, the slaying of Cacus, his servitude to Omphale, his marriage to Dejanira, the fatal poisoning by the blood of Nessus, his self-immolation on Mount Oeta, and his eventual deification and marriage to Hebe.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and the Quest
Hercules undertakes the Twelve Labors as a series of heroic quests, demonstrating strength, cunning, and endurance.
Hubris and Divine Retribution
Juno's relentless hostility and Hercules' eventual madness and death illustrate the consequences of divine anger and mortal hubris.
Mortality and Immortality
Hercules' mortal part perishes in the flames, but his divine essence ascends to Olympus, highlighting the transition from mortal suffering to eternal life.
Love and Transformation
Dejanira's misguided use of Nessus' blood as a love charm leads to Hercules' transformation through agony and death into a god.
Characters to notice
- Hercules
Central figure; son of Jupiter and Alcmena; performs the Twelve Labors; slays Antaeus and Cacus; descends to Hades; dies by poison and is deified.
- Jupiter
Father of Hercules; intervenes to deify him after his death; speaks to the gods about Hercules' immortality.
- Juno
Hostile to Hercules from birth; sends serpents to kill him; later reconciled, gives him Hebe in marriage.
- Eurystheus
King who imposes the Twelve Labors on Hercules; fears Hercules after the Nemean lion feat.
- Dejanira
Wife of Hercules; tricked by Nessus into using poisoned blood; hangs herself after realizing her mistake.
- Nessus
Centaur who attempts to abduct Dejanira; killed by Hercules; his blood later poisons Hercules.
- Atlas
Titan who holds up the heavens; helps Hercules retrieve the golden apples of the Hesperides.
- Theseus
Admirer and imitator of Hercules; freed by Hercules from Hades after attempting to carry off Proserpine.
Key passages
“Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmena. As Juno was always hostile to the offspring of her husband by mortal mothers, she declared war against Hercules from his birth.”
Hercules, born to Jupiter and Alcmena, faced Juno's enmity from birth because she resented her husband's mortal children.
Establishes the divine conflict that drives Hercules' trials.
“The most difficult labor of all was getting the golden apples of the Hesperides, for Hercules did not know where to find them.”
The hardest task was obtaining the golden apples of the Hesperides, as their location was unknown to Hercules.
Highlights the challenge of the eleventh labor.
“Hercules in a fit of madness killed his friend Iphitus, and was condemned for this offence to become the slave of Queen Omphale for three years.”
In a mad rage, Hercules killed his friend Iphitus, and as punishment, he was forced to serve Queen Omphale as a slave for three years.
Illustrates Hercules' vulnerability to madness and his period of servitude.
“The gods themselves felt troubled at seeing the champion of the earth so brought to his end. But Jupiter with cheerful countenance thus addressed them...”
The gods were distressed by Hercules' suffering, but Jupiter reassured them that his divine part would survive the flames.
Foreshadows Hercules' deification and Jupiter's role in it.
