Labelling someone a “hero” seems pretty normal these days. These people need not slay a lion or win a war; they just have to be extra kind than normal to deserve the word. This word is often used as a hyperbolic term to express our admiration or appreciation.
“Heroism is a concern for other people in need—a concern to defend a moral cause, knowing there is a personal risk, done without expectation of reward” (Zimbardo, 2011). In addition, according to Campbell (as cited in Livni, 2018) “a hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself”. This definition of heroism emphasizes how heroes are expected to be that individual who doesn’t think much about himself or herself but devotes his or her life for the welfare of others. Being a hero seems like liberation from one’s own personal agendas and needs.
However, the definition of this perfect and flawless hero becomes boring in this modern age (Ivanova & Kudriavtseva, 2015). Hence the faultless hero becomes less appreciated. The shift from the faultless hero to imperfect heroes became known in the media. The egalitarian notion has been more accepted by people, which means that heroes should probably have some faults too (Comar, 2009).
As defined above, being a hero is viewed as a devotion to selflessness, thus, the pursuit for the welfare of others. This definition contradicts the displayed self-interest drive of Hercules in the 1997 movie. People believe that the behaviour of a person is based from his or her own self-interest (Miller & Ratner, 1998). This detail from the movie seems to be the fault in Hercule’s character. Thus, marks the “human” in him in his pursuit of being a hero.
From Hercules’s mortal life, he aspires to become a hero to get back to being a god. So, a new adventure has been presented to him as well as the search for a mentor whom he eventually met in the movie. Hercules met his allies and most importantly, some enemies, whom he defeated. He embarks in this extraordinary journey, however, despite the courage to slay the Nemean lion or the Hydra, finally being a hero still seems out of sight for Hercules.
Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=hercules+1997+slaying+the+lion&source=lnms&tbm=isch#imgrc=IoU5Nkn1vOfvoM&imgdii=Udik7wdAuiNJVM 
Source:
https://www.google.com/search?q=hercules+1997+killing+the+hydra+cerberus&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwiu2vDHkLLvAhUIUJQKHWneCxUQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=hercules+1997+killing+the+hydra+cerberus&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1CY1RZY1PoWYI2HF2gAcAB4AIABsgSIAbYkkgEMMC4xNy4yLjEuMi4xmAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=PjxPYK7DDIig0QTpvK-oAQ#imgrc=dUSumZC8ykmAKM&imgdii=P0UFjIjtQ4jwrM
I believe that the reason for that is his sole reason for doing those deeds. He did all of that to prove that he’s a hero but not necessarily for the welfare of other people, hence proves self-interest as his drive or motive. The safety of other people just seems like a bonus feature of his pursuit of being a hero.
Now, the question is: how did Hercules successfully became a hero? The answer is simple: when he saved Megara from the dead. In the Hero’s journey, this is the supreme ordeal that Hercules had to face. But you may ask why. Well, this is the first selfless thing he did in the movie, thus proves the supposed selflessness of heroes established in the definitions of hero/heroism above.
Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Faminoapps.com%2Fc%2Fdisney%2Fpage%2Fitem%2Fhercules%2FRr0x_V0qtvI6p0446nqGZVL0WwjkZG4XxVo&psig=AOvVaw2h1hcACOOAIpn0C0CPNmru&ust=1615894522235000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCPiUmbCasu8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAS
Therefore, the flaw of Hercules which is pursuing deeds out of self-interest is resolved in the story. Aside from the portrayed courage and strength of a hero, I think the most meaningful part of this movie is how Hercules conquered the battle within him and how the movie genuinely showed the becoming of a true hero.
REFERENCES:
Clements, R. & Musker, J. (1997). Hercules. Walt Disney Pictures.
Zimbardo, P. (2011). What makes a hero? Retrieved from https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_makes_a_hero
Ivanova, E. & Kudriavtseva, V. (2015). The Modern Day Culture Hero: From Cynicism to Infernality. Asian Social Science, 11 (6), 272-278. DOI: 10.5539/ass.v11n6p272
Cropanzano, R., Goldman, B., & Folger, R. (2005). Self-interest: Defining and understanding a human motive. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26 (8), 985-991. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/4093867
Comar, J.(2009). “Hero-Haters: The Modern Cynicism Towards Perfect Heroes”. Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.imsa.edu/fall2009
Livni, E. (2018). This classic formula can show you how to live more heroically. Retrieved from https://qz.com/1436608/this-classic-formula-can-show-you-how-to-live-more-heroically/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CA%20hero%20is%20someone%20who,on%20purpose %20or%20even%20accidentally.&text=And%20when%20they%20survive%20this,usual ly%20with%20knowledge%20or%20insight.
Miller, D. & Ratner, R. (1998). The Disparity Between the Actual and Assumed Power of Self- Interest. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74 (1), 53-62. DOI: 10.1037//0022-3514.74.1.53
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