1. VS. Hercules Superman A Compare and Contrast of
Mythological and Modern Heroes
English I
Mrs. Maranto
Hercules
Superman
VS.

2. What is a Hero?
There are many ideas of what makes a person a hero. The following are two definitions of what makes a hero.
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.
Copyright 2011 Dictionary.com

3. The Heroic Archetype What is an Archetype What is an Archetypal Hero
A recurring pattern of images, situations, or symbols found in the mythology, religion, art and dreams, of cultures around the world.
What is an Archetypal Hero
A hero with specific traits. Born under unusual circumstances, leaves family and lives with others, traumatic event leads to quest, has special abilities and receives supernatural help.

4. Born Under Unusual Circumstances
Hercules
Born the son Zeus and a
mortal woman.
Superman
Born on a world that is
on the verge of destruction.

5. Leaves Family and Lives with Others
Hercules
Raised by his mother but
not his father.
Superman
Raised by farmers on Earth
after escaping the destruction
of his world.

6. Traumatic Event Leads to Quest
Hercules
Hera drove him mad causing
him to kill his wife and kids.
He then went on to complete
12 labors to atone for his crimes.
Superman
The loss of his home lead him
to use his powers to try to save
his new world.
Copyright 1997 Mythweb
Copyright 2011 DC Comics

7. Has Special Abilities Hercules Superman
Superhuman strength and size gained by ingesting the breast milk of Hera
Superman
Gained super strength, heat vision, and the ability to fly from Earth’s yellow sun.

8. Receives Supernatural Help
Hercules
Received assistance from Zeus to gain his strength. Made a god after death by Zeus.
Superman
Received help from his father by way of crystals that were programmed with his planet’s science and his father’s memories.