Superheroes: The Modern-Day Epic Hero

Superheroes: The Modern-Day Epic Hero

            Everyday tales of heroism are flashed across screens in America daily.  From stories of heroism on the six o’clock news, to blockbusters on the silver screen, it appears that the concept of the epic hero continues to endure, even thousands of years later.  Dictionary.com defines an epic hero as “a brave and noble character in an epic poem, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events” (Dictionary.com).  This brave and noble character continues to be a staple in popular culture, particularly in comic-based films.  Many of the heroes portrayed in these films resemble various well-known heroes of past epics.  Because of the prevalence of superhero films, it is important to both compare and contrast the modern-day superhero in film and the classic epic hero exampled by characters such as Beowulf, Siegfried, Sir Gawain, and Roland. 

            The epic hero often possesses traits which society wishes to emulate.  For this reason, these characteristics remain part of pop culture and film.  The first of these characteristics is superiority in skill, strength, and courage.  In the epic poem Beowulf, dated between the eighth and eleventh century, the title character is known far and wide for his superior skills as a warrior.  When the prosperous and peaceful existence of the Danes is threatened by the monster Grendel, Beowulf travels from Scandinavia to Heorot to offer his help to the Danish king Hrothgar.  Hearing of the plight of the Danes and knowing King Hrothgar as a friend to his father, Beowulf sets out to help rid the land of Heorot of Grendel.  King Hrothgar accepts Beowulf’s offer for help stating, “And seamen, too, have said me this/he has thirty men’s heft of grasp in the gripe of his hand/the bold-in-battle. Blessed God/out of his mercy this man hath sent/to Danes of the West” (Beowulf 20).  King Hrothgar accepts Beowulf’s offer for help and has full faith that Grendel will be defeated, because Beowulf’s reputation as one who excels in strength and skills precedes him. In the end, Beowulf lives up to his reputation and defeats Grendel.  All of the Danes praise him stating that, “there was no other in earth’s domain/under vault of heaven, more valiant found/of warriors none more worthy to rule” (Beowulf 40).  For these feats of super human strength and courage, Beowulf is lauded as an epic hero. 

            In the same way, Steve Rogers-better known as Captain America- can be considered an epic hero who exhibits superiority in skill, strength and courage.  Captain America: The First Avenger, is a film produced in 2011 with a storyline very similar to that of Beowulf’s.  Captain America is a superhero that has been, “enhanced to the peak of human perfection” (“Captain America: The First Avenger”).  He is enlisted to help the United States military defeat those who threaten the safety and ideals of the American people.  In the same way that Beowulf is considered an epic hero because of his superior skills, this modern-day super hero can be viewed as an epic hero because of his super human displays of strength and courage.  Another modern-day portrayal of an epic hero in film is Peter Parker, also known as Spiderman.  The first Spiderman film was released in 2002, with a reboot of the franchise being released in 2012.  Peter Parker is a shy and nerdy high school senior who gets bitten by a radioactive spider and begins the transformation into the hero Spiderman.  “Peter finds that his previously impaired vision has improved and that his body has metamorphosized into a more muscular physique. At school, he finds his body producing webbing and that his quickened reflexes let him avoid injury during a confrontation with bully Flash Thompson. Peter discovers he has developed superhuman speed, strength, the ability to stick to surfaces, and a heightened ability to sense danger” (Spider-man).  In the same way that Beowulf and Captain America are lauded as heroes for their super-strength and courage, Spiderman becomes the hero on which everyone relies.  Though the times have changed, many of the characteristics of the epic hero have easily translated to create a modern-day epic hero in film. 

            Aside from excelling in strength and courage, both the classic epic hero and the current superhero fight for a noble cause.  This heroic quality has spanned from the fifth century when The Nibelungenlied began circulating to the early twenty-first century when superhero films began to rise in popularity.  In the epic poem The Nibelungenlied, the hero Siegfried travels to Burgundy with the intent of wooing the King’s sister Kriemhild.  However, he remains in Burgundy for longer than expected in order to help King Gunther save his land from outside threats.  Like Beowulf, Siegfried was known far and wide for his exceptional strength and courage in war.  For this reason, when Gunther’s land was threatened by thirty thousand Danes and Saxons, it was only fitting that Siegfried was asked to help stave off the enemy.  When the issue was presented to Siegfried he replied, “I will win for thee honour and profit or ever thy foemen reach this land.  Had thy stark adversaries thirty thousand warriors at their back, and I but one thousand, I would withstand them-trust me for that” (The Nibelungenlied, 15).  In addition to this noble act, Siegfried also assists King Gunther in winning the hand of Queen Brunhild through a secretive display of strength and skill.  Through both of these actions, it is clear to see why Siegfried is considered an epic hero.  Not only does he possess strength and courage, but he also fights for noble causes, demonstrating the honor, generosity, and dignity necessary to be considered a hero. 

            Likewise, the plotlines in the majority of superhero films today include the hero fighting for a noble cause.  In Captain America: The First Avenger, Dr. Abraham Erskine, who has scouted Rogers for the “super soldier” experiment, presents Rogers with an informal test in order to prove that he possesses the qualities necessary to become Captain America.  Dr. Erskine asks Rogers if he is interested in joining the Army in order to kill Nazis.  Steve Rogers replies, “I don't want to kill anyone. I don't like bullies; I don't care where they're from” (“Captain America”).  Like Siegfried, Steve Rogers fights to protect those who cannot protect themselves.  His statement demonstrates both honor and dignity in his choice to help his country fight against injustice.  In the same way, many of Spiderman’s actions stem from his noble nature.  When Spiderman realizes he has superhuman powers, he dons a mask and begins to do good deeds around his city: foiling robberies, assisting the police, and fighting villains.  He even becomes known as “your friendly neighborhood Spiderman”.  Through the noble acts and characteristics of Steve Rogers and Spiderman, one is able to discern the way in which characteristics of the classic epic hero continue to live on through the modern heroes of cinema. 

            Additionally, both the epic hero and the modern-day hero in film can be considered “men of action” that go on epic quests, even in the face of death.  In the classic epic Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Sir Gawain is on a quest to meet his death because of a meeting with a mysterious Green Knight.  At random, a Green Knight challenges all men in Arthur’s court to a “game”.  The Green Knight says he will allow anyone who accepts the challenge to deal a blow to him with an ax; the only caveat being that the participant has to agree to seek out the Green Knight and receive the same blow in a year’s time.  After being the only courageous knight in Arthur’s court to accept the challenge, Sir Gawain’s fate becomes death as the blow to the Green Knight’s neck decapitates him, yet does not kill him.  After the lapse of one year, Gawain sets off on his journey saying, “I to the blow am bound, to-morrow must I fair/To seek the Knight in Green” (“Sir Gawain and The Green Knight” 20).  Though Gawain surely faces death at the hands of the Green Knight’s ax, he still chooses to honor the agreement that was sealed a year earlier by the blow of his ax to the Green Knight.  In the fashion of true epic heroes, Sir Gawain travels on an epic quest, along the way learning many lessons and facing the inevitability of death.       

            In the same way, today’s superheroes in film go on quests of their own, often facing both danger and death.  Captain America goes on a noble quest to assist his Army comrades in the war and to foil the evil plans of Nazi Germany’s Johann Schmidt. Like Sir Gawain, Captain America goes on this larger-than-life quest although danger and death are imminent.  Likewise, Spiderman is on an epic quest, though his is more figurative than literal.  Spiderman does not trek to a far away land like Sir Gawain and Captain America; however, he still experiences a journey of sorts.  Peter Parker’s uncle tells him that “with power comes great responsibility” (Spider-man).  Peter initially disregards the general advice, but when his uncle is murdered he takes the advice to heart. He grows and journeys from a high school student who used his superpowers for fun, to someone who realizes that his powers should be used for a more noble cause than personal use.  At the culmination of his journey, Spiderman has to “take the Green Goblin to task…or else Goblin will kill him.  They come face to face and the war begins in which only one of them will survive at the end” (Spider-man 2002).  The epic quest is another characteristic that both the classic epic hero, such as Sir Gawain, and the modern superheroes, such as Captain America and Spiderman, all display.

            Lastly, it is also important to take a look at how the classic epic hero and the modern superhero differ. The main contrast between the two is in their motives, particularly as it relates to pride and glory and the idea of leaving a lasting legacy.  The Song of Roland opens with Charlemagne’s Christian army battling with King Marsilla’s Muslim army.  When King Marsilla sends a messenger to offer peace, Roland suggests his stepfather Ganelon act as messenger in return.  Enraged by this nomination that endangers his life, Ganelon plots with King Marsilla to ambush Roland and his twelve companions.  Though Roland is outnumbered by the Saracen army, he refuses to run and he refuses to call for help.  On two occasions, his companion Olivier, begs Roland to sound his horn and call for help but Roland refuses.  Roland’s pride for his land as well as his religion leads them into war: "My lords barons, Charles left us here for this;/He is our King, well may we die for him:/To Christendom good service offering./Battle you'll have, you all are bound to it…/So, though you die, blest martyrs shall you live” (“The Song of Roland”).  Not only does pride motivate Roland to fight though they are outnumbered, he also notes the importance of leaving behind a legacy for self, clan, and religion.  In contrast, Captain America and Spiderman do not focus on being heroes for the sake of glory, honor, and legacy.  For example, Captain America fights for a specific cause which is defending those who cannot defend themselves.  He does not concern himself with how he will appear after death, he simply wants to help. The same is true for Spiderman.  Spiderman even wears a mask to protect his identity, shying away from the glory and fame that often accompanies being a hero.  Though the idea of glory and legacy was a reoccurring theme in classic epic poems, it has seemed to fade from the storyline in Hollywood’s heroic tales. 

            In conclusion, though many centuries separate the era of the classic epic and today’s box office superheroes, the epic hero and his characteristics are still relevant and recognizable.  Many of today’s superheroes possess the characteristics necessary to classify them as modern-day epic heroes; characteristics such as superiority in strength and courage, fighting for a noble cause, and embarking on an epic quest.  One of the major differences between the epic hero and the superhero is the epic hero’s concern with glory and legacy, which seems to be lacking in the modern superhero.  Despite the differences, it is apparent that the story of the epic hero remains a popular tradition that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.  And when a superhero movie holds the number one spot for the highest grossing opening weekend in cinema history[1], one can be assured that the epic hero will remain a staple in both classic literature as well as pop-culture.

  

Works Cited

Beowulf. Trans. Gummere. Ed. Jim Manis. Hazelton: The Electronic Classics Series, 2007. PDF    e-book.

“Captain America”. IMDb. Web. 8 May 2014. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458339/quotes >.

“Captain America: The First Avenger”. Wikipedia. Revised 8 May 2014. Web. 8 May 2014.             <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America:_The_First_Avenger>.

Dictionary.com. Random House, Inc, 2014. Web. 8 May 2014.

Sir Gawain and The Green Knight. Trans. Jessie L. Weston. Cambridge: In parentheses     Publications, 1999. PDF e-book.

“Spider-man”. Wikipedia. Revised 8 May 2014. Web. 8 May 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider-Man_(2002_film)>.    

“Spider-man 2002”. IMDb. Web. 8 May 2014. <http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0145487/>.

The Nibelungenlied. Trans. Margaret Armour. Cambridge: In parentheses Publications, 1999.        PDF e-book.

The Song of Roland. Trans. Charles Kenneth Moncrieff. PDF e-book.

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[1] Marvel’s The Avengers, grossed $207,438,708 on its opening weekend, May 4^th, 2012.  Captain America is part of this cast. See http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/records/#weekends.