Epic heroes are superhuman in that they are smarter, stronger, and braver than average humans.” By definition, there are certain traits a character must fit to be considered an epic hero. The hero typically has an unusual circumstance of birth, whether this birth is dangerous or they were born into royalty. Usually, a hero will leave their family or homeland and live with others. They will also experience an event, sometimes traumatic, that leads to an adventure or quest. While on this adventure, the hero typically has a special weapon only he can wield, has supernatural help, and must prove himself many times throughout the journey.
His cr... ... middle of paper ... ... Creon. The similarities between Odysseus and Jason are as vast as their differences, yet their main connections show their their main difference. The similarity of the two previously unsung heroic types is exactly what separates them, each man is a different type of the new hero that came about after the brutish and brawny warriors like Achilles and Hector. Each can be seen as a hero or as a perverse designation of the past warriors and heroic ideals. It is their journeys that define them as heros, Jason though he could not have made it alone succeeds in his endeavors and Odysseus although he made it home alone in the end he is the valiant lover and father.
A technical definition of a hero is someone who has brave and noble qualities and has accomplished many great things. Any one person could have a different view of what a hero is specifically, but in the case of Homer’s “The Iliad”, there are many possible candidates to discuss. Personally, I believe that in this great tale the true hero is Hector. When trying to decide who the true hero of this story is, it may be very hard to discern between the three main characters and their abilities. For instance, Achilles possesses powers such as mighty strength and has a very close relationship with many of the Gods.
Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, meets these traits and is considered a prime example of an epic hero. His story is told in Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad. However, Odysseus’s journey sets him apart from other epic heroes. Most heroes follow the hero’s journey, in which a hero begins in the ordinary world, is called to destiny, crosses the threshold, defeats obstacles, receives help, defeats the undefeatable, and then returns home. Odysseus does not strictly follow this typical structure because his return home is one of the biggest challenges of all.
To most people, a hero is a strong, brave person with an amazing costume. Heroes usually have super-powers and are constantly saving people. But it takes much more traits than this to be classified as an archetypal hero. Some characteristics of an archetypal hero are super-natural help, leaving on a journey in which the hero proves himself, a fatal flaw, and they are sometimes honored after death. In The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus shows many traits of an archetypal hero.
14 Aug. 1999: n. pag. Feb. 2011. http://wsu.edu/~dee/GLOSSARY/CAPITAL.HTM Matthews, Michael. R. “The International Pendulum Project: An Overview by Michael Matthews.” Pendulum. n. pag. Feb. 2011. http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/pendulum/about.html “Galileo Biography.” bio.
Also, and epic hero is also usually selfless, a leader, and honorable. These are just a few of the specific qualities that an epic hero must possess in order to be epic. Another characteristic that any epic hero has is their very own tragic flaw. Anyone can be a hero, but it takes much more to be considered an epic hero. Some epic heroes from several different texts that will be analyzed will be Achilles from The Iliad, Odysseus from The Odyssey, Aeneas from The Aeneid, Socrates from The Republic, Gilgamesh from The Epic of Gilgamesh, Beowulf from Beowulf, and King Arthur from Morte D’Arthur.
Life has been completely turned around and nothing could ever be the same. A hero isn’t just a person with powers and costumes. He or she is a person who puts dedication and heart into helping out others. For example, I would consider my best friend Isaac a hero because he looks out for me even when he has lots of things going on. He has completely changed my life because without him I wouldn't know how to stand up for myself and to watch for who i surround myself with.This is important because it shows that being an archetypal hero takes many stages to succeed in being accomplished.
(12). Yes, superhero’s have vulnerabilities within their character, but characters of all genres display tremendous acts of heroism, often overlooked to be considered heroic. In The Fairy Tale Hero, author Max Lüthi stated that “The fairytale hero, or heroine, to be sure, is sometimes a rollicking daredevil and sometimes a silent sufferer; at times a lazy bones and at times a diligent helper, often sly and willy but just as open and honest” (316). Within this statement, the author reveals that heroes pertain to numerous archetypes, not just to the warrior, but rather, they can be the fools or caregiver who save the day
4. Maheshwari, Krishna. "Ahimsa - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia." Main Page - Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia. The Hindu Encyclopedia, 6 May 2011.