POST 9: A modern epic hero

To start off on this topic, we have to first and foremost define who an epic hero is. Google defines an epic hero as a character in an epic poem who is noble and brave and is affected by great events or admired for his achievements.I define an epic hero as, someone who sacrifices their comfort, well being and sometimes something as big as their own personal happiness for someone else or other people. They do not do what they do for selfish reasons or for praise and fame. They have strengths and weaknesses like us and that is what makes them so relate-able. But at a moment of need, lend a helping her even if they might be equally as scared. In the past and even now when most stories are written about Epic heroes that person is almost always male. Very few women as cast in that role. But today we do see many female epic heroes such as Wonder woman, Katniss Everdeen, Selene etc,


Superman is a great example of an Epic hero to me. Just like us Superman's weakness is kryptonite, not much different from  Achilles' weakness in his heel. Our modern heroes also have an arch nemesis or many foes that they must fight in order to keep peace just like the heroes from  literature. Beowulf had Grendel, Grendel's mother, and a dragon. Batman had to fight The Joker, Harvey two faced, poison ivy, and Mr. Freeze. Often there is a beautiful woman in distress that our hero falls madly in love with and apart from it humanizing them and making them more relate-able. it can also be seen and used as a weakness. Superman has Lois Lane and Paris has Helen of Troy. Every hero throughout time has something or someone that they deeply care about to fight for. This is one characteristic that I know we will always see in our heroes.

Comments

  1. Imani GilmoreFebruary 18, 2017 at 3:41 PM

    Superman was a awesome character to choose for this topic. He definitely displayed numerous of hero traits and you did well by stating them and stating his flaws! We so often forget to mention our heroes flaws but you didn't! GREAT JOB!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 18, 2017 at 7:34 PM

    I enjoy reading your post because you point out that superman is just like any other person with flaws and problems of their own.

    ReplyDelete
  3. PorshaFebruary 18, 2017 at 8:09 PM

    Hello Ashley,

    Superman was an amazing character to choose for a modern epic heroes. Its also good how you pointed out the flaws and all. I enjoyed reading your post. Great post.

    Porsha Owens

    ReplyDelete

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