Centuries back literary heroes were nearly gods but as civilization advanced they came down the mountain of gods and became more human, less heroic and more flawed. From divine heroes like Beowulf, Hercules and Odysseus to flawed characters like Hamlet, Tom Jones and Angle Clare. The transition was huge from the ‘superhero’ to simply a ‘hero’. The bigger than life heroes crossed every boundary and sparked our imagination. They possessed greater skill than an ordinary man and underwent perilous adventures and met with superhuman foes for the sake of saving the whole nation. Epic heroes are not the normal heroes. They are someone who, if not successful in their journey the world would end and life would cease to exist. They represented man’s hidden desire to be that ideal person who fights, conquers and wins battles. Be it Beowulf who is remembered for its daring fights. He achieves glory by fiercely fighting and thus winning with Grendal, the monster in order to save people from devastating. He fights singlehandedly with absolutely no weapon and acknowledges that he has “never known fear”. Be it Beowulf or any other mythical character, all possess unmeasurable strength and courage. But at the same time they are less relatable and sometimes hard to associate.
As literary genres advanced contrary to the superheroes, there came the tragic heroes in literary fields. They lacked the supernatural powers and were more of our reflection and hence they were easy to associate and understand. These were the men of flesh and blood and entirely filled with human virtues, passions, emotions, desires, vices and sins. Be it Angel Clare from Tess D’urbervilles. He is a man of good qualities but equally flawed. He is governed by an excess of anger when Tess opens up about her past. He leaves her alone for years returning when things have all changed up with Tess being married to another man. His wrong decision of leaving her and his anger brings about a tragic end with Tess murdering her current husband and running off with Angel Clare which eventually leads her execution for the murder.
The same is with King Lear. He being a genuine soul is guided by arrogance and pride. His daughters were eager to inherit the power and wealth that their father had. Goneril and Regan lied to the king when asked to express their love for their father, King Lear. Cordelia on the other hand says nothing which subsequently angers Lear. This leads to her disownment. And it was only Cordelia who had genuine love for her father but Lear was blinded towards that and he soon realises.
Tom Jones is no less. He gets trapped in with wrong relations and people. Although he possesses great amount of ethical values. It is only in the end where things are all sorted out for him and he gets the permit to marry the love of his life.
With advancement in literature came the transition from mythical to relatable heroes. Be it any there is a room for both as heroes are the backbone and the moving force behind any story.