Why did Hercules slaughter his children and wife?

Hercules' violent act of slaughtering his children and wife is a tragic story that has been told and retold for centuries. It is thought to have been the result of a combination of temporary insanity and divine retribution.

The first explanation for Hercules' actions is that he was driven temporarily insane by the goddess Hera. Hera, the wife of Zeus and the goddess of marriage, was jealous of Hercules due to his divine parentage. She often sought to punish him for his greatness, and on this occasion, she drove him mad with a fit of rage. In this state, Hercules was unable to control his actions and he killed his children and wife in a fit of rage.

The second explanation is that Hercules' actions were a form of divine retribution. Hercules was a demigod, the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, and he was often praised for his strength and courage. However, his actions were not always noble, and he was known to be a fierce warrior. It is possible that his actions were a punishment from the gods for his less than heroic behavior.

No matter what the cause of Hercules' actions, it is clear that it was a tragic event. It is a reminder of the power of the gods and the consequences of our actions.