Megara (Disney) facts for kids

A cosplayer dressed up as Megara.

Megara, often called Meg, is a brave and clever character from Disney's animated movie Hercules, which came out in 1997. She is known for her quick wit and independent spirit. The talented actress and singer Susan Egan provided Megara's voice in the film.

Who is Megara?

Megara is a young woman who works for the evil god Hades, the ruler of the Underworld. She made a deal with Hades to save someone she loved, but that deal left her without her freedom. She is often seen trying to convince other characters to do Hades' bidding, but she secretly wishes to be free from his control.

Megara's Personality

Megara is very different from many other Disney heroines. She is strong, sarcastic, and doesn't like to be seen as a helpless "damsel in distress." She is very independent and often uses humor to deal with difficult situations. Even though she acts tough, she has a kind heart and cares deeply about others, especially when she starts to get to know Hercules.

Megara's Story in Hercules

In the movie, Megara first meets Hercules when he saves her from a monster named Nessus. She tries to push him away because she's afraid of getting hurt and because she's working for Hades. Hades wants Megara to find Hercules' weakness so he can defeat him. However, as Megara spends more time with Hercules, she starts to fall in love with him. This makes her question her loyalty to Hades and eventually leads her to make a brave choice to help Hercules.

Inspiration for Megara

The creators of Megara were inspired by strong female characters from classic Hollywood movies. They wanted her to be smart and sassy, not just a princess waiting to be saved. Susan Egan, her voice actress, also looked at performances by actresses like Barbara Stanwyck to help shape Megara's unique personality and voice.

Images for kids

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  Actress Barbara Stanwyck is among several classic Hollywood actresses by whom Meg's personality and appearance were inspired.