From the beginning of human existence people have told stories that involve a hero saving the day. There are many archetypes that can be used to compare the heroes from then to now, but there are certain qualities in a hero that one should compare first. Starting with the classics from the past with Gilgamesh, Beowulf, and The Iliad, to more modern day heroes that include: Superman, Flash and Deadpool, there are numerous quantities of heroes that people have heard stories about and compared with. In the time-honored epic poem, The Iliad, Achilles is the hero that is able to win every battle he forges into. This story is about many extravagant obstacles that Achilles is able to surge over with ease while keeping his identity known. Compare …show more content…
Achilles and Superman are alike in a few aspects that include their genetics and powers. Achilles is born of a goddess and Superman is created on an entirely different planet. Both have a parent or parents that are not human. They also have powers that will separate them from the rest. Superman and Achilles both have great strength that helps them protect what they believe in. While Superman has many other superpowers, Achilles has the gods on his side thanks to his mother. However, while there are a few similarities between the two heroes, there are innumerable differences. The major difference between the two heroes is what they fight for. Achilles fights for glory and the spoils that come of the war, while Superman fights for the people. Superman conceals his identity to protect his friends and family. Achilles fights wearing armor and helmets that are recognizable to everyone inviting anyone to challenge him. He cares about his army and doesn’t know how to control his rage when the enemy kills a dear friend of his, Patroclos. When he seeks revenge on Hector, he has no problem gloating about it later. At the end of The Iliad after Achilles kills Hector, he drags the body of Hector around in a circle to brag of his accomplishment. Superman on the other hand is the opposite of all of this. He doesn’t believe in killing, but rather in justice. These archetypes have
I chose “The Iliad” by Homer and related it to “Medea” with the theme and subject matter of heroism. I specifically chose Achilles from “The Iliad” because I was able to connect his actions, when Patroclus died, to Medea’s, when her husband betrayed her. These two situations are completely different, however, both characters felt deeply betrayed. A hero is defined as someone who has done great things in life, however, this case is not as such.
The trait of heroism is something that has changed over thousands of years. Today’s heros have different traits than those heroes of the Trojan War. However, a few have survived the test of time. Many of modern day heroes, as well as past heroes, do hold these long enduring traits, like Nelson Mandela, Marcus Luttrell, Louis Zamperini, and the fictional Iron Man. Odysseus, the main character in The Odyssey by Homer, portrays the traits necessary to be dubbed a hero. One is a hero if he or she shows leadership, bravery, resilience, and creativity throughout their actions.
There are many different definitions of a hero. The Iliad presents two of those many definitions. In 750 B.C. Homer wrote this epic poem. This poem involves two characters known as hector and Achilles. Even though both hector and Achilles have there own notable strengths, one is more heroic than the other according to the traits of an epic hero, and the other is more heroic in the terms of the modern standards of a hero.
Achilles has great courage and skill in his life time. In the Iliad it tells of how great skills Achilles has with a shaft. " He twirled and cast his shaft with its long shadow.". Achilles was born to fight and he knew it at a young age. When he was told that he was going to die if he went with the Greeks. Yet he went any way, that takes some really courage knowing that he was not going to live. He said that no matter what this is what I was born for. To go out to war and make myself known in more waves then I have. He let nothing stop him to he reached that goal. He put his life in danger makes him a great hero.
Heroic, Strong, Brave, Confident. A hero is these things and many more. Two heroes who are very alike are Odysseus from the Odyssey and Hercules from the Disney movie Hercules. Not only did they both battle fearsome monsters, they were both working against an angered Greek god and shared many common characteristics. Odysseus and Hercules may have been uncannily alike but in the beginning they had their differences in motive. Although towards the end their purpose became more alike than ever.
Both Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1: The Lightning Thief and the Epic of Gilgamesh have heroes as their protagonists. Those protagonists, Percy Jackson and Gilgamesh, have similarities and differences, which can be used to see how humanity’s view of the concept of a hero has changed over the last three-thousand and two-hundred years. The differences in their qualifications for heroic qualities, both traditional and modern, highlights how humanity’s viewpoint of what it means to be a hero has changed. Way back when, in ancient Mesopotamia, a hero only needed to be a special guy that gods or goddesses took a special interest in. Nowadays, there are character requirements for being a hero, such as having the ability to emphasize with
Many think being a hero is having super powers, but on the contrary it's more than that. A hero is one who is distinguished for their courage and bravery, and looked upon for their great deeds. A hero like this is not just found in modern society today, but in mythology as well. In the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus earns the title of a true hero by conveying many qualities such as: determination, courage and leadership.
In the Iliad there are many characters that could be considered heroic. But the two main characters that stand out as heroes to me are swift-footed Achilles and flashing-helmet Hector. Numerous times throughout the epic they display qualities and traits that are unsurpassed by anyone on their side. Many times throughout the epic Achilles and Hector are tested for their strength, and will to win in battle, which for both warriors always ends up positive because they always win their battles. Although both fighters are among the elite status in the armies, they each show human and god-like qualities that help them be as a fierce and feared as possible.
In the Iliad there are many characters that could be considered heroic. But the two main characters that stand out as heroes to me are swift-footed Achilles and flashing-helmet Hector. Numerous times throughout the epic they display qualities and traits that are unsurpassed by anyone on their side. Many times throughout the epic Achilles and Hector are tested for their strength, and will to win in battle, which for both warriors always ends up positive because they always win their battles. Although both fighters are among the elite status in the armies, they each show human and god-like qualities that help them be as a fierce and feared as possible.
In the introduction of the Essential Illiad given by Sheila Murnaghan, Achilles is labeled as “the greatest of the Greek heroes”. In classic mythology a hero is a person of great strength and courage celebrated for bold exploits and is often the offspring of a mortal and a god. Achilles was the greatest fighter among the Greeks or Trojans and feared no man in battle. He was also the offspring of a mortal and a god so by classic mythology definition, Achilles was indeed a hero. A hero is defined by the present day Websters Dictionary as: “one who inspires through manners and actions; an individual who leads through personal example and accomplishments requiring bravery, skill, determination,
In most stories the typical hero is a person who is selfless, strong, uses their power, if any, to help others, and are usually nice and humble. Greek heroes however tend to vary in comparison. For instance, in the Iliad by Homer, the Greek hero Achilles is very strong and well loved, but he only fights in battles to gain personal glory, not to help others however, he is still a hero nonetheless. The ideal of heroism fluctuates between cultures, therefore the notions of heroism set forth can be contradicting. The heroes in the short stories Theseus retold by Robert Graves and The White Snake by the Grimm brothers show similar and dissimilar traits in both character, and the concept of heroism; but, both of the main characters are still considered heros.
Heroes are prevalent in everyone’s life. Whether someone’s hero is a living person or a fabled character from a movie, everybody has come into contact with some sort of hero. In fact, the concept of heroes has existed for hundreds of years, dating all the way back to Ancient Greece. Over time, heroes have drastically changed. As society has evolved, our heroes have evolved with it. Their goals and motivations have changed to coincide with the views of modern society. Modern day heroes have less selfish motives, better qualities, and are portrayed differently than ancient heroes.
Heroes are viewed differently today as the average person who is admired for courage or outstanding achievements such as firemen and police officers. The ancient Greeks viewed heroes as those that acquire more than just courage, they must be strong and inspiring as well. Although Achilles proved to be several of these entities, the Iliad begins with
In the Greek epic, The Iliad, Homer describes the siege and capture of the ancient city of Troy by Achilles and the Achaean warriors. Achilles, being a fearless fighter, defeated many throughout his battles against the Trojan army, including the brave-hearted Hector during the invasion of Troy. Though Achilles has been given the title of the hero of the Trojan War, many historians believe that Hector was a greater hero than Achilles. When comparing the characteristics of an epic hero such as being a national hero and having supernatural abilities, Hector clearly surpasses Achilles. In this essay, the argument will be supported through the context of the heroic personas revealed by the warriors and the non-heroic qualities that dishonored
Achilles, having been a famed and valiant soldier, was sought after and loved by all, except his adversary Agamemnon. He was a prominent warrior known for his great strength that actually caused the Acheans to win many battles. But what was it that caused Achilles to be such a hero? Consider the definition for the word, “hero.” A hero is “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” This gallant warrior is all three of these points in the definition, plus more. Achilles’ honorable attitude for his loved ones, bravery in times of adversity, and as the definition states, “outstanding achievements” make him a hero beyond recognition.