Epic And Modern Day Heroes         Epic and modern day heroes

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

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Epic And Modern Day Heroes Epic and modern day heroes have many similarities and differences. Their personalities, characteristics, and physical abilities vary. These similarities and differences make heroes unique and memorable for years to come.

Epic heroes have a lot of personality. Most people would call them braggarts because they always boast about their adventures, treasures, or battles. Now, heroes are more like ordinary people. A firefighter is a modern day hero and could reside in the home next to you. Modern heroes are not out looking to accomplish great deeds. Their actions are often spontaneously performed as where epic heroes look for people or villages in distress. Epic heroes also work for a reward, while most modern day heroes do not.

The epic heroes' characteristics closely resemble the modern hero. They both represent their society and civilization. Both have the capability of being defeated and even killed.

They also must posses the emotion of fear. One difference in the characteristics of an epic and modern hero is their hunger for fame. Epic heroes often seek fame, unlike modern heroes. Modern heroes accomplish great deeds because it either feels good to them or it is their job.

One of the biggest differences between epic and modern heroes consists of their physical abilities. Epic heroes can have incomparable strength such as Beowulf. Beowulf was able to fight a monster, who lifted thirty grown men with his bare hand. He was also able to hold his breath for hours under water. Modern heroes resemble everyone else in their civilization. Heroes, these days, do not have to rely on the use physical capabilities to accomplish great deeds. They are able to use their heads. They help others in need by organizing food drives, teaching farming methods to those who have trouble growing crops, and building shelters for homeless orphans. These are very respectable accomplishments of a modern day hero.

The depiction of a hero has changed over the course of history. The characteristics, personality and physical capabilities greatly differ from the epic heroes to the heroes of the modern day. These traits allow heroes to be remembered of many years to come.