Propp's theory

Vladimir Propp was a Russian critic of fairy tales in 1928, he identified 32 categories of action and over 30 character types who have a specific function within the narrative to cause events:

1. the hero, who seeks something

2. the villain who hinders or is in competition with the hero

3. the donor who provides some kind of magic talisman that helps the hero

4. the helper who aids the hero and his/her quest

5. the heroine/princess who acts as a reward for the hero and is the object of the villain’s schemes

6. the dispatcher who sends the hero on his/her way by providing a message

7. the false hero who disrupts the hero’s hope of reward by pressing false claims

8. the princess/heroine’s father who acts to reward the hero for his efforts.

I am going to apply his theory to the film “Disney's Hercules”.

Propp's theory on “Disney's Hercules”:

The Hero: Hercules:

Hercules is the hero of this movie as he is the main character looking for his place in the world and is actual looking to become a true hero and find love. Hercules was given a potion that would render him mortal while he retains his god-like strength which makes him an out cast till he gets trained by phil and becomes a hero.

The Villain: Hades:

Hades is the villain of this story. He has tried to kill hercules when he a baby and sends his demons, Pain and Panic, to kidnap baby Hercules and give him a potion that would render him mortal, and kill him. He also wants to overthrow Zeus and rule Mount Olympus, Greece, the Earth and the rest of creation for himself by releasing the Titans in eighteen years.

This is why he is the villain as he put obstacles in the way of the hero to stop him from getting what he wants/needs.

The Donor: Zeus:

Hercules decides to visit the temple of Zeus for answers. The temple's statue of Zeus comes to life and reveals to Hercules that he is a gods son and he must be come a true hero to become a god again as he gives him Pegasus to help him on his journey.

This action has made Zeus the donor as he gave Hercules the knowledge of how to be come a god again, as well a “tool” to help him.

The Helper: Philoctetes “Phil”

Phil trains hero's but retired from training heroes due to numerous disappointments. Hercules connives him to help train him to be a true hero. Phil trains Hercules into a potential hero, and when he is older, they fly for Thebes on Pegasus to fight monsters with the help of Phil.

Phil is the helper in the story as he trained Hercules to fight and how to act as a hero thus making him the helper of the story.

The Reward/Princess: Meg:

Meg is the a sarcastic damsel whom Hercules saves from the centaur Nessus. She is the person the Hercules falls for in the story and as she keep getting put in trouble by Hades and even after she turns out to be the false hero hercules still risks his life to save her from death.

Meg is the princess as Hercules puts all aside just to have her and even tho she is also the false hero he still falls for her and saves her at the end just because he lover her.

The Dispatcher: Zeus:

Zeus sends Hercules on his journey to become a true hero and become a god again. As well he send his hercules to Phil to be trained so he can be come at true hero.

Zeus is the dispatcher as he sets him on the right path to become a god and come back to his god family as that is where he will always belong.

The False Hero: Meg:

Meg turns out to be working for hades the hole time to trap Hercules in to loving her and getting him into fights he might not win as well she trick him in to giving up his power to save her.

Meg is the false hero because she persented her self as someone who loved Hercules and someone who he could trust but she was just leading him into a trap for Hades.

The Father: Zeus:

Zeus gives hercules his godhood but hercules refuses so in stead Zeus clams that hercules is a true hero and creates a picture of Hercules in the stars commemorating his heroism as a proof he will alway be a true hero.

Zeus is the father as he give hercules his godhood even if he no longer wanted it be still gave him his place in the word as he declared him a true hero now being accepted by all.

By Dylan Keenan