While it’s easy to dismiss the concept of beings with supernatural powers and mythological fictions, superheroes and fictional Gods have various similarities and differences. The most common superhero, of course, is Superman, while the greatest warrior in Iliad is Achilles. These two characters clash with one another in personality, weaknesses, strengths and characteristic.
There are various stories on the history of Superman causing one to believe that he was mischievous insurrectionist. Superman was born on Earth and founded by earthlings, Jonathan and Martha Kent in his starship that crashed in Smallville, Kansas. In another story, Superman was also found in the middle of nowhere, but was sent to an orphanage soon after. The original Superman is quoted to be “half Huckleberry Finn and half Robin Hood” (Tye 31). He had the technique to be straightforward and purpose as pure as gold. However in another comic rewrite, Superman is said to have been “a spineless, unbearable coward!” (Tye 31) by a woman that he is trying to pursue. Superman’s personality and character changes multiple times through the years making the reader think one thing, but if analyzing another comic make them think otherwise. It is believed that his purpose in crime fighting is not the same as most other superheroes tend to be. While Superman does have a personal trauma, he “cannot ritualistically redress this past by fighting criminals in hand-to-hand combat, as Batman and Spider-Man do” (Yockey 26). Superman generally protect great numbers of people, unlike the rest of the superheroes; he saves the whole world from catastrophes. Seeing how Superman’s home planet has been destroyed is unknown, but allows one to understand that the reasoning for his heroic d...
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... and Achilles have several things in contrast with one another rather than in common. The two of them are both, however, ‘super’ in their own ways with their different personalities and strengths. Their weaknesses bring the duo together in an aspect that one would not think about at first notice.
Works Cited
Osborn, Kevin, Dana Burgess, and Inc net Library. “The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Mythology”. New York, N.Y.: Alpha Books, 1998. Web. 1st December 2012.
Roman, Luke, and Monica Roman. “Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology”. New York: Facts On File, 2010. Web. 1st December 2012.
Tye. Larry. “Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero”. New York: Random House Digital, Inc., 2012. Web. 1st December 2012.
Yockey, Matt. “Critical Journal of Film & Television”. Velvet Light Trap, Issue 61. 2008. 26-37. Web. 1st December 2012.
Much of what we know today of Greek culture was passed on through history via The Iliad by Homer. The Greeks, one of the earliest recorded civilizations that our species is aware of, had a large influence on the Roman Empire and by extension most of the civilizations of our known history. Through history and different cultures, there are various stories of heroes and heroism, and it seems that the definition of heroism has changed frequently since classical antiquity. “Goddess, sing the rage of Peleus’s son Achilles, murderous, doomed, that cost the Achaeans countless losses.”(The Iliad I.1-2) So opens The Iliad, a story of the Trojan War and the flawed hero, Achilles. Achilles, an example of the Greeks ideal hero, is not without his flaws. His anger while understandable during the earlier parts of the poem begins to appear irrational during book IX. The Greeks, who aspired to embody the qualities they valued in their heroes, treated the story of The Iliad with great reverence.
Grant, M. (1962). Myths of the Greeks and Romans (1st ed.). Cleveland: World Pub. Co.
...e also existed many differences. Most striking was their view on death; one dreamt of immortality while the other adored death and all its glory. At the same time, one must acknowledge the significant effect their friends had on their lives. One cannot help but wonder how each hero's life would have been without what could be considered his soul mate. Regardless, one must accept the fact that Achilles and Gilgamesh were heroes of their time and will remain epic heroes that are continually analyzed and compared throughout the modern era.
Morford, Mark P.O., and Robert J. Lenardon. Classical Mythology. '7th ed'. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
In conclusion my expectations were met because we all want to be a certain hero in our everyday lives but sometimes don’t know which one is actually the better and more positive one. Strength, power, intelligence, and authority are the most important things the outlaw hero and official hero will bring even if they are above a certain rule or really beneath it. Outlaws are not always the bad guys, but are not always the good guys either. In this case Batman is the good guy disguised as the bad guy. Official heroes are always the good guys no matter the circumstance. Superman in this case is the good guy disguised as the actual good guy. Being above the law or against it, official heroes and outlaw heroes will always paint the picture that you can be strong, powerful, intelligent, and have the authority you deserve.
"Why is Eurydice such a bitch?" was the comment asked of me during a lesson on the poem "Eurydice" by H.D. "Doesn't she realize that Orpheus loves her and is only trying to rescue her? Why is she so harsh to him?" It was during a unit on mythology that the students were reading H.D's poetryówe had recently completed the small "Orpheus and Eurydice" blurb in Edith Hamilton's Mythology when I came across H.D's effort and decided to introduce it to my students. We had previously explored the roles of women in several contextsóhistorically and religiously. Now we encountered the first female speaker who activated the Greek myth with her strong, powerful language.
For example, Hector does not like to fight in battle, the only reason why he fights is because he is the only way Troy could ever win the war. However, Achilles loves the war. He even chose being a warrior over having a long life, something that Hector probably would not do. Achilles is drawn to war because of his anger. As I have previously stated, Hector is only fighting in the war because he has to fight for the city of Troy. Achilles on the other hand, does not have to fight for his city. This is because the Greeks are not being attacked. Also, Hector is human. Although his father is a wealthy king, he does not have any god- like powers. Achilles however, is a demi-god he is an exceptional warrior and great runner because of this. Also, because he is a demi-god he is only venerable in his heel. While Hector, being a human, is venerable everywhere. Lastly, Hector is not dictated by rage like Achilles. Even before their battle Hector showed respect towards Achilles. Hector did so by saying “With all the gods as witnesses, I swear: if Zeus gives me the victory over you, I will not dishonor your corps, only strip the armor and give the body back to the Greeks. Promise you’ll do the same.” (22. 281-285). Hector is the perfect foil for Achilles, everything Hector stands for and everything he is, is the polar opposite of
Morford Mark, Lenardon Robert, and Sham Michael. Classical Mythology, International Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, USA, 2011. Print. 830 pages.
With these wrathful words of Achilles to his commander Agamemnon, so begins the sequence of events in The Iliad that ultimately pits Achilles the runner against Hector, breaker of horses. Although these men were already enemies, Achilles being an Achaean and Hector being a Trojan, it is truly Achilles’ rage that makes the rivalry personal. These two men, from opposite sides of the battle lines, are both strong, brave, and heroic, but also possess a myriad of conflicting character traits. It is these differences that aid both men in their independent pursuits for honor and the implementation of their separate destinies.
Achilles and Hector are similar in the sense of war and combat ability but not through their personalities. For instance, the way that they are looked at by their peers is very alike. In Homer’s eyes, they are both world-class warriors, heroes, and born leaders. The Trojan soldiers look up to Hector as do the Achaeans to Achilles. Also, Homer describes both Achilles and Hector as “god-like”. This suggests that their standards in the field of battle are very much the same and that they are superior to the other soldiers. Furthermore, Homer shows us that they both possess great pride. In Achilles’ case, Agamemnon dishonors him in the beginning of The Iliad: “But I, I will be there in person at your tents / to take Briseis in all her beauty, your own prize” (1.217- 8). Agamemnon angers Achilles by taking his prize Briseis so he refuses to participate in the Trojan War for a while. This sends a message to Agamemnon, stating that he doesn’t rule Achilles and Achilles will not stand for any disrespectful comments. Moreover, Hector refuses to back down from fighti...
Claybourne, Anna. "Achilles." Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology. Marshall Cavendish Digital, 04 Jan 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. http://marshallcavendishdigital.com/articledisplay/41/8483/89264.
Guerber, H. A. Myths of Greece and Rome. New York: American Book Company. 1921. Print.
The first requirement of Aristotle's tragic hero is that they are more admirable than the average character. Achilles meets this requirement because of his ability on the battlefield. In The Iliad, the background to the story is the war between the Greeks and the Trojans. This background is not only the basis for the story overall, but is also the basis for Achilles' own story. This begins when Achilles refuses to join the battle because he is insulted by Agamemnon. This decision results in the action that drives the remainder of the story. Later in the story when Achilles becomes angered and goes to the other extreme, launching into battle and killing ferociously. The significance of this is that it places battle as central to both Achilles' story and to what is important in the setting of the story. Importantly, the aspect that makes Achilles greater than most is his ability o...
Even though The Iliad is a Greek epic poem Homer is really getting at how Hector was a better hero than Achilles or even the Hero of The Iliad. Homer shows Achilles as a selfish, disgraceful warrior that does not care about the lives of his fellow countrymen and even wish for their deaths. Achilles is put in a repulsive light while Hector is seen in a captivating way. He is a family that puts his life down for his family and City. Homer actually made Hector the real hero in The Iliad.
heroism into the standards of society today. Superman is a character that was made by a person