Why did Disney change the movie Hercules from the original myth?
Disney and Greek/Roman culture have different objectives, thus their stories differ. Grecco-Roman mythology was as much about the bravery of men in the face of capricious divinity (both within and without themselves) while the Disney version is very much a black/white, good/evil, hero/villain triumph story. In addition, the primary audience of each is vastly different. Greek-Roman mythology is geared towards adults and can be as complicated as it wants to be, while the Disney version is very much intended for younger audience members. This explains not only the simplification of certain story elements but of the actual depiction of the characters themselves. Hercules, in the Disney version, could be put in a football uniform (albeit with a bit of a haircut) and he wouldn’t look at all out of place compared to what American audiences look for in their heroes.
