Epic Heroes Characteristics

Some say heroes are only found in story books and declarations from wrinkled grandparents. Some say heroes are all around us. Tales of epic heroes are found throughout history. Most of these tales include an individual who possesses all or most of a general set of traits such as the following: the hero was born of noble birth or some imperial station in life; they have established themselves as an exceptional warrior; they are well recognized as an exceptional and heroic person; and they are faced with foes and allies of a celestial nature. Manifold stories, poems and songs have been written about heroes and their epic journeys. Some of the most popular poems and stories have been written to include the epic journeys and lives of Achilles, …show more content…
Achilles calls to his mother, Thetis, to punish Agamemnon larceny of Achilles prize, Briseis. Achilles prays to Thetis to ask Zeus to punish the Achaeans. Zeus must decide between helping Thetis or appeasing his wife Hera who favors the Greeks but he eventually agrees to aid Achilles and punish the Achaeans for Agamemnon’s wrong-doing. Many gods were on the side of Achilles. After Hector was slain by Achilles, he then proceeded to cut slits in the flesh of Hector’s ankles where he looped a girdle through the wounds and bound him to Achilles’ chariot by the girdle. Achilles then mistreats the body of his deceased enemy by dragging the body about the battle field for twelve days. During those twelve days Hector’s body stayed preserved from injury due to aid from Apollo and Aphrodite. The gods could not stand to look down on the desecration of Hector’s body so they sent Iris, messenger god, and Thetis to convince Achilles to give Hector’s body back to his father, King Priam. Even in death, the gods protected Hector’s body. Beowulf’s strength happens to be his superhuman aid. He has been described as greater and stronger than anyone anywhere in this world. He holds his breath for over an hour during his descent to find Grendel’s mother, who was a supernatural being, proving he himself a supernatural being. Old King Hamlet’s ghost reveals to Hamlet King Claudius murdered King Hamlet. With this information Hamlet is able to eventually able to achieve revenge for the wrongful murder of his father by murdering King Claudius. Old King Hamlet’s ghost appears again to warn Hamlet against hurting his mother and advises Hamlet to leave her punishment to fate. All of these epic heroes have received aid from or have fought against superhuman or supernatural