BACKGROUND: Epic poems, like Beowulf, are lengthy narratives about epic heroes and their heroic deeds. Epic heroes are usually of noble birth, perform super-human acts, and their actions often determine the fate of nations. Moreover, Epic heroes reflect ideal character traits such as bravery, honor, and loyalty. The epic hero is used throughout literature regardless of time, era, or genre. For example, current films often contain epic heroes, which today we call “superheroes.” Understanding the epic hero makes it much easier to understand the theme, as what happens to the epic hero is an example of what the author believes happens to humanity as a whole.

ASSIGNMENT: Write about your favorite superhero and how the superhero embodies the traits of an epic hero. Does your superhero have the traits of bravery, honor, and loyalty? Is your superhero of noble birth? Does your superhero perform superhuman acts that determine the fate of nations? Why are these traits important?