History Main / EverybodyLovesZeus

* In the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'', Odin All-Father is portrayed as a GrandpaGod who would avoid conflict at all cost, having experienced the horrors of war and would rather foster peace. [[spoiler: This is subverted in ''Film/ThorRagnarok'', where Hela reveals that he was originally a conqueror and warmonger who built his empire off of the broken backs and blood of the worlds he had conquered. While he had long since mellowed out over time and eventually banished Hela when she tried continuing this campaign, this more violent past was still there in the form of Asgard's continued wealth and prosperity, having since [[WrittenByTheWinners rewrote Asgard's history in an attempt at keeping this peace]].]]

* Subverted in ''Videogame/FateGrandOrder'' in the Olympus Lostbelt storyline, in which an alternate universe version of Zeus during a timeline where the Olympians managed to defeat the threat that diminished their divinity in the main timeline and expanded their authority over humanity is one of the central antagonists. It also subverts EverybodyHatesHades as it's stated that Hades led the other Gods against Zeus in defense of humanity.

* ''VideoGame/{{SMITE}}'' downplays this. While Zeus, Ra, Odin and others are powerful and revered gods they are still flawed and many other characters in-universe point out their flaws. However, they are still toned down compared to their original versions considering this is a T-rated game.

** Generally the gods of the Riordanverse (which include the Egyptian and Norse Gods) are not shown to be lacking flaws, but a number of them show themselves to be nicer than their original tellings, be it from personal growth or sidestepping their faults. Even Gods generally shown to be evil or unpleasant, like Ares, Set, and Loki, are not depicted as utterly beyond sympathy or positives.

Gods associated with light and lordship over other gods are typically portrayed as heroic and relatable while their [[EverybodyHatesHades darker counterparts are super violent and manipulative and other icky stuff]]. It should be noted that this trope can apply to virtually any god/goddess of Classical Mythology, largely due to ValuesDissonance and operating AboveGoodAndEvil. And it should also be noted that the original Zeus was also capable of good deeds, therefore supporting a lot of good portrayals of him. For instance, he dotes on his children and even if they were born from his infidelities which incurred Hera's wrath, he would try his best to protect them from Hera. The sole exception of Ares, but even then, that was because Ares controls a domain that many humans dislike: war (unless you're from Sparta).

** Zeus has gone through some different iterations over the years. His ''ComicBook/WonderWoman1987'' version is a JerkassGod close to myth as a hypocritical rapist and adulterer whom the Amazons and most of the gods don't trust or much like who is overthrown by Athena as mythology states he's fated to, while his ''ComicBook/WonderWoman2011'' version is pretty well loved by everyone despite retaining his adultery with Athena going out of her way to help revive him, and all the other gods besides Ares being upset at his apparent death.

* The ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' series [[PlayingWithATrope plays with this idea.]] In the [[VideoGame/GodOfWarI first game]], Zeus is essentially the GreaterScopeParagon, serving as a benevolent ally to Kratos who helps him both overtly and subtly. The [[VideoGame/GodOfWarII second]] and [[VideoGame/GodOfWarIII third games]], however, set Zeus up as the BigBad, driven mad with fear and paranoia that [[spoiler:his son]] Kratos will usurp his throne. As it turns out, [[spoiler:Zeus only became a villain after Kratos opened Pandora's Box and infected him with the evil of Fear... it's implied he was still something of a [[JerkassGods Jerkass God]] even before this (as he was still a ruthless, adulterous tyrant) but Kratos managed to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero exacerbate his flaws and turned him into a monster.]]]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Tyrant. Hypocrite. Adulterer. Rapist. Kinslayer. [[TheLastOfTheseIsNotLikeTheOthers Family Man.]]]]

* ''Webcomic/SlightlyDamned'': This happens InUniverse with Mother Gaia, who alongside [[EverybodyHatesHades Father Syndel]] created Medius and the [[StandardFantasyRaces races]] living there, but she and her angels received the glory while Syndel and his demons were shunned. Eventually he [[DrivenByEnvy grew jealous]] and had [[LegionsOfHell the demons]] invade Medius in retaliation, and she sent the angels to drive them off, but we see in the story that they could be [[NotSoDifferent every]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality bit]] as brutal as the demons.

* ''Literature/TheLostYearsOfMerlin'' and its SequelSeries do this in their take on Myth/CelticMythology. Dagda is depicted as a god of wisdom, which is accurate, but also of peace and freedom, which is...[[AsskickingEqualsAuthority less so]], as he's also considered a WarGod. The sexual appetite that you see among most {{Top God}}s also goes unmentioned, as do the CrazyAwesome traits he has in some tellings. Meanwhile, the villain is Rhita Gawr, depicted as the (only) Celtic WarGod, when [[MythologyUpgrade he's actually a rather minor, mortal character]] from Myth/ArthurianLegend.

** Zeus (pictured above) is portrayed as a light-hearted if not buffoonish king and loyal husband to Hera. While the [[WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries spin-off series]] does address more of his flaws -- like forgetting he and his wife's anniversary, losing his temper and [[BoltOfDivineRetribution smiting people]], and the whole "[[DisproportionateRetribution Prometheus]]" thing -- Zeus' frequent infidelity is never brought up (most likely non-existent to keep the G-rating).

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'': Multiple:
** Zeus is portrayed as a light-hearted if not buffoonish king and loyal husband to Hera. While the [[WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries spin-off series]] does address more of his flaws -- like forgetting he and his wife's anniversary, losing his temper and [[BoltOfDivineRetribution smiting people]], and the whole "[[DisproportionateRetribution Prometheus]]" thing -- Zeus' frequent infidelity is never brought up (most likely non-existent to keep the G-Rating).

[[folder:Fanworks]]
* ''Fanfic/TheMarvelousWorldOfDC'' features Zeus briefly. He appears as a SkyFace to his [[RelatedInTheAdaptation nephew]], ComicBook/TheMightyThor when Thor is defending the island of Themyscira from ComicBook/TheMask. Mala, one of the Amazons who Thor spends time with, states that [[DownPlayedTrope Zeus isn't held as highly on Themyscira as goddesses like Hera and Athena]], but when he appears, he's only friendly and helpful to Thor. The dodgiest thing he does is [[BoltOfDivineRetribution electrocuting]] Stanley Ipkiss, and that's just to [[BeatTheCurseOutOfHim purge him of Loki's brainwashing.]] Then again, since Thor already has plenty of JerkassGods in his family- his [[CainAndAbel adopted brother Loki]], his EvilUncle [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], and his [[ClashingCousins cousins Pluto, Hela and Ares,]] having Zeus as his family and on his side is [[Administrivia/TropesAreTools a good decision by the author to use this trope.]] Much friendlier than Thor's normal relationship with Zeus in Marvel Comics.

** Likewise for ''Anime/ShinMazinger'''s Zeus, who takes this further by dressing in [[GoldAndWhiteAreDevine golden armor]]. In this continuity his fossilized arm is an extremely valuable source of {{Unobtainium}} - [[HumongousMecha Mazinger Z]] both use this material in its construction and (after its MidSeasonUpgrade) can [[TransformingMecha transform]] into a replica of the actual arm for its FinishingMove.

** Odin was portrayed early on in the series as having OmniscientMoralityLicense. In other words, even when he's being a jerk, it's For TheGreaterGood. Otherwise, he's treated as wise and benevolent. In later portrayals, he's become considerably less amicable after having his rule of Asgard challenged. He invokes such tyrannical laws and harsh punishments that he essentially becomes part of the BigBadEnsemble of ''Comicbook/Thor2014''.

* ''Literature/TheLostYearsOfMerlin'' and its SequelSeries do this in their take on Myth/CelticMythology. Dagda is depicted as a god of wisdom, which is accurate, but also of peace and freedom, which is...less so, as the Celts basically thought that any god worth his salt had to be some sort of warrior. The sexual appetite that you see among most {{Top God}}s also goes unmentioned, as do his more insane traits. Meanwhile, the villain is Rhita Gawr, depicted as the (only) Celtic WarGod, when he's actually a rather minor, mortal character from Myth/ArthurianLegend.

* Happens InUniverse in ''Webcomic/SlightlyDamned'' with Mother Gaia, who alongside [[EverybodyHatesHades Father Syndel]] created Medius and the [[FiveRaces races]] living there, but she and her angels received the glory while Syndel and his demons were shunned. Eventually he [[DrivenByEnvy grew jealous]] and had [[LegionsOfHell the demons]] invade Medius in retaliation, and she sent the angels to drive them off, but we see in the story that they could be [[NotSoDifferent every]] [[GreyAndGrayMorality bit]] as brutal as the demons.
* Played with in-universe in ''Webcomic/LoreOlympus''.

* The ''VideoGame/GodOfWar'' series [[PlayingWithATrope plays with this idea.]] In the [[VideoGame/GodOfWarI first game]], Zeus is essentially the GreaterScopeParagon, serving as a benevolent ally to Kratos who helps him both overtly and subtly. The [[VideoGame/GodOfWarII second]] and [[VideoGame/GodOfWarIII third games]], however, set Zeus up as the BigBad, driven mad with fear and paranoia that Kratos [[spoiler:his son]] will usurp his throne. As it turns out, [[spoiler:Zeus only became a villain after Kratos opened Pandora's Box and infected him with the evil of Fear... it's implied he was still something of a [[JerkassGods Jerkass God]] even before this (as he was still a ruthless, adulterous tyrant) but Kratos managed to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero exacerbate his flaws and turned him into a monster.]]]]

* ''Fanfic/TheMarvelousWorldOfDC'' features Zeus briefly. He appears as a SkyFace to his [[RelatedInTheAdaptation nephew]], ComicBook/TheMightyThor when Thor is defending the island of Themyscira from ComicBook/TheMask. Mala, one of the Amazons who Thor spends time with, states that [[DownPlayedTrope Zeus isn't held as highly on Themyscira as goddesses like Hera and Athena]], but when he appears, he's only friendly and helpful to Thor. The dodgiest thing he does is [[BoltOfDivineRetribution electrocuting]] Stanley Ipkiss, and that's just to [[BeatTheCurseOutOfHim purge him of Loki's brainwashing.]] Then again, since Thor already has plenty of JerkassGods in his family- his [[CainAndAbel adopted brother Loki]], his EvilUncle [[EverybodyHatesHades Hades]], and his [[ClashingCousins cousins Pluto, Hela and Ares,]] having Zeus as his family and on his side is [[TropesAreTools a good decision by the author to use this trope.]] Much friendlier than Thor's normal relationship with Zeus in Marvel Comics.

Zeus was the Lord of Mount Olympus and TopGod that ran Greece. He got his throne by killing his father and taking it and [[Theatre/OedipusTheKing condemned anyone else who did the same]], he ate his first wife (Metis), he cheated on his wife/older sister (Hera) incessantly, allowed Hera to torment his demigod bastard sons, he chained Prometheus to a rock to have his liver eaten forever for giving mankind fire (until at least Herakles freed him), he unleashed pain and suffering on the Earth and had a mortal girl take the blame for it, smiting random humans with lightning from his ivory tower and [[JerkassGods countless other horrible things]]. However, adaptations like to show Zeus as a cool guy that likes to party and is justified whenever he has to bring out a firm hand. Why? Because Heaven and Light = Good.

Aversions typically portray such gods as good but ignorantly destructive, usually causing trouble due to ignorance or gross incompetence.

A subtrope of SadlyMythtaken and a form of AdaptationalHeroism.

Gods associated with light and lordship over other gods are typically portrayed as heroic and relatable while their [[EverybodyHatesHades darker counterparts are super violent and manipulative and other icky stuff]]. It should be noted that this trope can apply to virtually any god/goddess of Classical Mythology, largely due to ValuesDissonance and operating AboveGoodAndEvil. And it should also be noted that the original Zeus was also capable of good deeds, therefore supporting a lot of good portrayals of him. For instance, he dotes on his children and even if they were born from his infidelities which incurred Hera's wrath, he would try his best to protect them from Hera. The sole exception of Ares, but even then, that was because Ares controls a domain that many humans dislikes: war (unless you're from Sparta).

* Subverted in ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians''. Zeus isn't portrayed as ''evil'', but that's probably the nicest thing you can say about him. This version of Zeus is grouchy, a terrible father and so incredibly arrogant that he almost caused the total destruction of Olympus and the world ''twice'', all because of his stubbornness and refusal to accept help.

** While Zeus wasn't the kindest of the Greek deities and was undoubtedly a terrible husband, he can be considered a relatively good parent. Granted, he cheated on Hera unceasingly, but he always loved the sons produced in those infidelities and often protected them from the rage of his wife, who could be ridiculously vengeful (despite the rightfulness of her indignation) and liked to vent it on the innocent children. Keep in mind also that there is a clear disconnect from how the myths portrayed him and how the Ancient Greeks saw him, with many a philosopher disdaining the myths for tainting Zeus' reputation.

Gods associated with light and lordship over other gods are typically portrayed as heroic and relatable while their [[EverybodyHatesHades darker counterparts are super violent and manipulative and other icky stuff]]. It should be noted that this trope can apply to virtually any god/goddess of Classical Mythology, largely due to ValuesDissonance and operating AboveGoodAndEvil. And it should also be noted that the original Zeus was also capable of good deeds, therefore supporting a lot of good portrayals of him (for instance, he dotes on his children and even if they were born from his infidelities which incurred Hera's wrath, he would try his best to protect them from Hera. The sole exception of Ares, but even then, that was because Ares controls a domain that many humans dislikes: War (unless you're from Sparta).

* In ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'', Zeus is one of the olympian gods who can aid the protagonist, Zagreus, in his attempt to [[EscapedFromHell escape Hades]]. While many of his mythological (mis)deeds are plain not mentioned at all as they're not germane to the current situation, Zeus is presented as [[ItsAllAboutMe somewhat egotistical]] and aiding Zagreus partially to get back at his brother Hades for some kind of NoodleIncident that estranged Hades from Zeus and Poseidon some time before the story's events.

Gods associated with light and lordship over other gods are typically portrayed as heroic and relatable while their [[EverybodyHatesHades darker counterparts are super violent and manipulative and other icky stuff]]. It should be noted that this trope can apply to virtually any god/goddess of Classical Mythology, largely due to ValuesDissonance and operating AboveGoodAndEvil. And it should also be noted that the original Zeus was also capable of good deeds, therefore supporting a lot of good portrayals of him (for instance, he dotes on his children and even if they were born from his infidelities which incurred Hera's wrath, he would try his best to protect them from Hera. The sole exception of Ares, but even then, that was because Ares controls a domain that many humans dislikes: War (unless you're from Sparta)).