In the world today, the first step to finding one's purpose is discovering more about one's self. In "The Three Labours of Hercules" we can find a journey taking place in which this is shown. One may question then, does this story include the theme of `soul-searching'. Read symbolically, "The Three Labours of Hercules" may be seen to develop the theme of self-realization. To determine this, we may look at how Hercules searches his physical, emotional, and mental dilemmas.

We begin our examination of the theme of self-realization by looking at the way Hercules deals with his physical problems. He begins his quest to reach Mount Olympus with the earthen floor, his physical problems. Hercules' clouded vision represents his materialistic mindset that gets in his way when he begins his mission. These materials, like money and power, cause him to stumble because he cannot get past them. The...