It is all because of Zeus the way people look at me.
I am Hera, Queen of the Gods, wife and sister to Zeus. What did I get myself into? Zeus can have affairs with other women, and I cannot with other men? If so, I get punished so severely, I go against my nature and beg.
How would you feel if your husband didn't love you? If you failed to give him a perfect child? There is crippled Hephaestus. I regret throwing him down from Mount Olympus when he was but a babe, but with all the other children Zeus had fathered, with all their shining brilliance, how could Hephaestus ever compete?
People accuse me of not having a heart. It is hardened, after the foul treatment I receive. I'm not a natural mother. I felt no love, no bond, to Hephaestus. I do not deny I was displeased, and I admit I was in the wrong.
And Ares. Ares is handsome...yet as cruel as Hephaestus is kind. Yes, Hephaestus is kind, despite his appearance. And Ares...I am ashamed of mothering such a child and giving the world war.
And Eris. Again, I am ashamed. She is neither beautiful nor kind, and I may safely assume I like her least out of my children. Her shrieks when she was just born hardened my heart, rather than softening it. She starts wars...how can I feel proud of such a child?
I am jealous, I admit. I was tricked into marrying Zeus. And when I started to love him, he ran off with another.
Heracles. He gave the babe the name to try to appease me. Glory of Hera. It made me hate the child more. How could Zeus think a name could make up for all the wrongs he'd done me?
I am ashamed of my actions. I threw serpents into his crib. I should have known he was stronger than an ordinary newborn. And yet...I was surprised when he slaughtered them.
When he married, I did not want the man to achieve happiness. How could I? How else could I tell Zeus my message? Mortals are playthings for the Gods. They are used by us to send messages. I will not give up my pride and tell Zeus myself. And would he listen?
I sent madness into him. He murdered his children and wife. I suggested in an innocent tone he do tasks. I found the hardest things any man could do. But grudgingly I admit Heracles is not any man.
When Zeus ran off with that bitch Io, I saw fit to punish her. Zeus knew me, and turned her into a cow. I got her, and kept her such. And then Zeus's son, but not mine, Hermes, kills the monster Argus I send to guard her, and sets her free. My plan is foiled.
I admit, out of all Zeus's children, I like Hermes and Athena the most. Hermes is so charming, one cannot help it. And Athena has a certain attitude...and the way people love her make me envy her.
After reading this, I hope you think better of me. Do not let mortals see it, because for gods, kindness cannot be tolerated.
Hera
I am Hera, Queen of the Gods, wife and sister to Zeus. What did I get myself into? Zeus can have affairs with other women, and I cannot with other men? If so, I get punished so severely, I go against my nature and beg.
How would you feel if your husband didn't love you? If you failed to give him a perfect child? There is crippled Hephaestus. I regret throwing him down from Mount Olympus when he was but a babe, but with all the other children Zeus had fathered, with all their shining brilliance, how could Hephaestus ever compete?
People accuse me of not having a heart. It is hardened, after the foul treatment I receive. I'm not a natural mother. I felt no love, no bond, to Hephaestus. I do not deny I was displeased, and I admit I was in the wrong.
And Ares. Ares is handsome...yet as cruel as Hephaestus is kind. Yes, Hephaestus is kind, despite his appearance. And Ares...I am ashamed of mothering such a child and giving the world war.
And Eris. Again, I am ashamed. She is neither beautiful nor kind, and I may safely assume I like her least out of my children. Her shrieks when she was just born hardened my heart, rather than softening it. She starts wars...how can I feel proud of such a child?
I am jealous, I admit. I was tricked into marrying Zeus. And when I started to love him, he ran off with another.
Heracles. He gave the babe the name to try to appease me. Glory of Hera. It made me hate the child more. How could Zeus think a name could make up for all the wrongs he'd done me?
I am ashamed of my actions. I threw serpents into his crib. I should have known he was stronger than an ordinary newborn. And yet...I was surprised when he slaughtered them.
When he married, I did not want the man to achieve happiness. How could I? How else could I tell Zeus my message? Mortals are playthings for the Gods. They are used by us to send messages. I will not give up my pride and tell Zeus myself. And would he listen?
I sent madness into him. He murdered his children and wife. I suggested in an innocent tone he do tasks. I found the hardest things any man could do. But grudgingly I admit Heracles is not any man.
When Zeus ran off with that bitch Io, I saw fit to punish her. Zeus knew me, and turned her into a cow. I got her, and kept her such. And then Zeus's son, but not mine, Hermes, kills the monster Argus I send to guard her, and sets her free. My plan is foiled.
I admit, out of all Zeus's children, I like Hermes and Athena the most. Hermes is so charming, one cannot help it. And Athena has a certain attitude...and the way people love her make me envy her.
After reading this, I hope you think better of me. Do not let mortals see it, because for gods, kindness cannot be tolerated.
Hera
