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ALETHEIA: Alright, dear Deianira, how did you come to meet Hercules?
DEIANIRA: Well, to be honest I am not sure how exactly we met...
ALETHEIA: Okay... then what is your first memory with Hercules?
DEIANIRA: Oh, now that is easy! My first memory of Herc is him fighting for my hand. I was and am a beautiful lady, so it is no surprise he would fall for me.
ALETHEIA: And just who was Hercules fighting with? Was he another god or a common man?
DEIANIRA: It was actually the river god Achelous. You see, my father had promised my hand to him, but I didn’t like him. I mean who would want to marry a man who could never leave the river? Also marrying someone who is half fish or half bull? I think not.
ALETHEIA: I see, I see. So Herc won your hand in battle?
DEIANIRA: Exactly. He fought so bravely for me and that is how I ended up being his wife.
ALETHEIA: And what was it like being Hercules' wife? Or should I say, second wife.
DEIANIRA: I know that I wasn’t his first choice in spouse, but we all know how things ended for Megara and I think I can confidently say I am glad I wasn’t her.
Alcmene stands up from her seat to interrupt.
ALCMENE: That is because you tried to kill him instead!
The audience is taken back. Shouts begin to arise. Aletheia tries to keep things under control.
ALETHEIA: Now everyone, you know this isn’t necessary. Everyone take a deep breath and let’s give Deianira a chance to explain herself.
DEIANIRA: Thank you, Aletheia. Before I was so rudely interrupted by that bitter woman over there, here is the story.
Alcmene rolls her eyes and the audience is now on the edge of their seats.
DEIANIRA: You see, I was kidnapped and taken to be someone else’s bride a long time ago. Nessus, a centaur, is the one who tried to take me and obviously Herc was not about to let that happen, so here comes my sweet demigod with a poison arrow and rescues me. As my abductor lies dying, he whispers for me to take some of his blood and mix it with oil. I was of course hesitant, I mean this thing just tried to kidnap me! But Nessus knew I was worried that Hercules would leave me. I mean I can play dumb, but we all know that Herc was worshiped and not just by prayer. So, Nessus said that this will serve as a potion to keep Hercules faithful.
ALETHEIA: But that isn’t what happened, is it?
DEIANIRA: Correct, you see Hercules was traveling all over doing only Zeus knows what and I became worried he would leave me. So, I took the potion and put it on his shirt. When he went to get dressed that day the poison began to burn him. It was a lie! That potion would keep him faithful becasue he'd be dead! This is in no way what I wanted. I loved Hercules and I just wanted him to be mine.
ALETHEIA: So, did he survive?
DEIANIRA: Yes and no. It turns out the burns were so severe that his earthly body perished but his godly body went to the heavens where he lived out the rest of his days.
ALETHEIA: I see, well, that is definitely a twist and that is why we have this show. You see, Alcmene, you never gave her the chance to tell her story.
Alcmene slightly nods her head and mouths the words, “I’m sorry.” In a gesture of good faith Deianira goes to sit beside her and the two hold hands. The audience is full of “aw” and “yay.”
ALETHEIA: Well, ladies, I’m glad something good could come from this and we now have time to introduce our final guest. You have heard about him as a child, as a husband and we will now share what he was like in battle. Let’s welcome Hippolyta!
Author's Note: For the story of Deianira I kept it pretty cut and dried. I mean she married Herc and then basically killed him. I thought of changing the story to where Herc didn't die but in the end his godly body lived on, so I kept it. I also tried to introduce a little drama with Alcmene interrupting and accusing her of murder on live television. I know a lot of comments have suggested some back and forth so that is what I tried to do here. It is also in an effort to keep her relevant; as I have said before, I think she could have a lot to offer. The picture was difficult because I couldn't decide whether to use a picture of just her or a picture of her abduction. I ended up just using a picture of her because I don't want this project to become too graphic. My decision to add Deianira instead of Meg, his first wife and character from Disney, is because one, Meg dies. So, unless she would talk from beyond the grave it just didn’t make sense. Plus Deianira seems to have had more of a life with him, so I thought her story would offer some more context to Hercules as a husband and not just a lover.
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