Modern Day Heroes Vs. Ancient Heroes

 

            What does Harry Potter have in common with Theseus? What about Superman and Zeus? As we become exposed to more and more Greek mythology, it is much more evident where these modern-day hero tales derive from. There is a pattern that is followed in nearly every modern or ancient hero story. I will be comparing a modern day hero, Frodo Baggins from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and an ancient hero, Hercules, to demonstrate the similarity between the two stories.

            One of the very first things to look for in a hero’s story is the way their quest began. Heroes are often missing one or both parents and are instead raised by a close relative or have been adopted. Our modern hero, Frodo, was raised by his uncle Bilbo Baggins and Hercules was adopted by humans after he turned into a mortal. There is almost always a turning point in their life when they realize they are not normal and have a quest or a goal to achieve. For Frodo, he discovers that he has possessed through his uncle a very powerful ring that must be destroyed. For Hercules, he discovers that he is the son of a god and must do all that he can to restore his powers again.

            In every hero story, there is a task that must be completed. Frodo’s task was to deliver the ring to Mount Doom to have it destroyed. Hercules’s task was to complete the 12 labors to gain back his immortality. To complete these tasks, they receive help from others. Frodo gets advice from a wise wizard named Gandalf. Hercules received training from a centaur named Chiron. Through these helpers, both heroes discover something about themselves. Frodo discovers that despite being a hobbit (a race that is not known for being adventurous or brave) he is capable of saving Middle Earth. Hercules discovers his own strength and how to control it.

            In the end of the story, though, the character is still not fully happy. This is very common in all hero stories. After destroying the ring and returning to the Shire, Frodo feels like there is something missing and leaves with Gandalf to the Gray Havens. As for Hercules, he goes mad and ends up killing his wife and kids and sending himself in exile. From these endings, we learn that all heroes have flaws they cannot overcome: Frodo’s inability to be happy in one place and Hercules’s anger.

             If you have read any story that contains a hero, you may be able to recognize these characteristics in the story. It is important to learn about the ancient stories that provided the structure for storytelling and drama.