Superman And Perseus Research Paper

In both the adventures of Perseus in Apollodorus’ Library (Gods, Heroes, and Monster 3.12.b) and the chronicles of Superman from the pages of a comic book to the big screen, the hero battles otherworldly evils, wields god-like powers, and is motivated to do so by having a love interest to rescue. In Perseus’ travels he slays both Medusa the Gorgon and a sea monster. (GHM pg. 267) Both of which are horrid monsters of great power that the average human would cower in fear of, for example the Gorgons had “heads twined about with the scales of dragons, and great tusks like swine’s, and brazen hands, and golden wings, by which they flew; and they turned to stone such as beheld them” (GHM pg. 267). Superman as well faced terrifying foes, such as

To do so they both utilized powers that no one else had. In Perseus’ case he was given winged sandals to fly, the cap of Hades so he could be invisible, an adamantine sickle to slay Medusa, and a brazen shield. Along with the guidance of Hermes and Athena, two powerful gods (GHM pg. 267). Superman has powers described as having immeasurable magnitude, being a so-called alien “Kryptonian,” he derives his power from the light of our sun. With it he has flight, super strength, x-ray vision, invulnerability, speed, superhuman senses and

The archetype of a hero battling evil with amazing powers to get the girl has been used from archaic to modern times in everything from myths to comics. from Odysseus to Spider-Man. It has become the norm of what is defined as a “hero.” Along with defining heroes, Perseus and Superman have become a symbol of courage in art and everyday conversation. As is stated in the book, “Perseus was a favorite subject for artistic representation since archaic times, particularly the motif of Perseus beheading Medusa with the help of Athena” (GHM pg.266). Superman has seen iterations from the pages of comic books to action figures to movies to t-shirts to everything. What they stand for, courage and fighting for what’s right, appeals to everyone and is easy to convey both artistically and commercially. Not to mention the forms of literature and art they appear in make it easy to spread through a society. Beautiful murals of Perseus or exciting action scenes of Superman make it easy to like them, and even makes the viewer want to be like them, full of bravery and righteousness. The historical context of both heroes’ creation in archaic times and pre WWII respectively, were both times when the societies faced a struggle, and having a hero to look up and stand behind, even if he was fictional, was welcomed. Thus