Hera is often held as a monster for the torments she inflicts upon Zeus' mistresses and illegitimate children. Yet, she is the goddess of marriage. Her divine duty is to punish those who violate the sovereignty of that sacred institution (in Greek thought). She cannot do anything to Zeus and honor demands someone pays for transgressing against a god. In Marvel, she at least at one point cared for her family was more motherly before Zeus drove her insane. She wanted the best for Ares and was willing to nurse and infant she had just come across. It only turned out that infant was Hercules.

Zeus is the god of law, justice, oaths, and protector of the weak. He is the most powerful god that no one can do anything against and almost always has his way. In Herc #10 he mentioned that if he left Hercules solely to Hera he would have been dead long ago. So Zeus in Marvel at least extends a degree of protection to his children. But how much is that protection worth? He still violates the noble ideals including his marriage vows he demands others uphold despite knowing the consequences of his actions both to mortal and immortal alike. He may protect their lives, but not their weaker families or friends from Hera.

In Marvel and other media Zeus is often portrayed as a well-intentioned selfish jerk with Hera as the clear-cut villain. But when everything is considered isn't Zeus worse than her? She at least is fulfilling her divine duties and avenging insults done to her as is expected in ancient Greek society. After all, who would respect a goddess who was wronged and did nothing about it? What is Zeus's excuse?

The argument would be why would Hera punish the women her husband raped/tricked into having sex with and the children resulting from that? They are all innocent and deserve her protection -- also -- she should hold her husband accountable and yet -- he's Zeus. Whaddaya gonna do? He's the big kahuna.

I do find Zeus the worst of all the Greek gods in terms of vices.

Having to choose who is worse between Zeus and Hera is like choosing between a serial rapist and a child killer, because that is pretty much what they are. While Zeus forced Hera to marry him (mind you, they are siblings) and she couldn't do any thing else than yell at him for his escapades, but what kind of motherly deity lays snakes on a baby craddle or dropped her own son off a cliff? The Ancient Greeks had a weird idea about it. All the Olympians are horrible people of varying levels (with the possible excepction being Hestia) If anything else, Sauron from Lord of the Rings is more sympathetic next to them.

It makes all so more satisfying to pummel the bastard to death in God of War III.

Yet another game I have to catch up on! My summer is going to be spent more inside than outside. ;p

Its always hard to gaige gods in terms of right and wrong cause well...they are gods after all, our rules and ways arent exactly theirs nor should they have to follow them.