What is a hero? In class we discussed the differences between epic heroes such as Beowulf, classic heroes such as Oedipus, and our current day interpretation of what it means to be a hero. Although most characteristics were similar, there was some differences. An epic hero is known for their great deeds using superhuman courage and strength. Through the poem of Beowulf, both his bravery and strength were commented on quite a bit and his great deeds include his three battles against Grendel, Grendel's mother, and the dragon. Whenever I think of the word hero, Bonnie Tyler's song "I Need A Hero" always pops into my head and then I picture Nick Murray dancing at the pep rally, which was funny. But in Tyler's song, she sings about her hero needing to be strong which is a characteristic of an epic hero. She also sings that her hero needs to be larger than life which one of the phrases we used in our epic notes. Just what I had thought about.
Tyler also sings a line about "a white knight upon a fiery steed." I think this line connects more with a classical hero. Classical heroes are usually kings or nobles which may entitle Tyler's white knight. Both epic and classical heroes are known for their extraordinary feats and their pride, but a classical hero is also known for their fatal flaw. Oedipus's fatal flaw was his blindness. He was ignorant that he had fulfilled Apollo's prophecy and killed his father, the king, and married his mother. Not quite sure Tyler would be as thrilled about Oedipus being her hero. Oedipus reminded me of a quote from the saga Twilight said by Edward Cullen. "What if I'm not the hero?" Although we associate Oedipus as being a hero and a good king, was he really a hero after all? He was seen heroic for correctly solving the Sphinx's riddle, but now he has put a plague on his new kingdom.
Our current day interpretation of a hero has drastically changed since Sophocles or Wilbur. I think Tyler's line of "It's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet" is a good way to describe our present day heroes. Our heroes need to be big, dramatic, strong, and handsome. They either have some form of super power or a lot of money to buy whatever gadget to make them fall with style. When we read or watch a hero, there always seems to be a love interest. A hero has to fall in love and even in some situations, love is their kryptonite. And even sometimes, our heroes in a story were the villains once. Despicable Me for example. Gru had the evil plot to shrink the moon. However when his newly adopted girls were taken hostage, he gave up the moon to save them. Another example is Mega Mind. MM is the villain until he finally defeats Metro Man, the original hero. Now MM is up to take down the biggest villain the city has ever seen, hence him becoming the hero.
A hero can be something different to everyone. They may be an epic hero. Maybe a hero to you is classical. Or maybe he's a modern day hero. And maybe they just don't fit into any of these 3 categories. A hero may not even depend on who a person is or what he has done, but what that person means to you.
Good Brittany :-). I love the quote you start with.
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