Epic Heroes: Do We Like Them?

[Thraben]

Epic Heroes. Gilgamesh, Achilles, Beowulf, Herakles; the ancient examples.
Epic Heroes. The Dragonborn, Aragorn, (Various Star Wars Protagonists); the modern examples.

Do you like reading them? Do you like writing them? What is the general opinion on these types of characters and stories in 2025?
I want to know what people in general (or at least a vocal subset of amateur authors if I can't get people in general) think.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

As long as either they have some flaws or just have a sense of humor about it all (Jack Reacher comes to mind here - no special powers just BIG and nearly indestructible due to sheer cussedness; for that matter, Raylan Givens of Justified might count as well - he's got as many flaws as he has a sense of humor but he's also nearly as indestructible as Reacher), they can be a lot of fun to read or write.
A humorless epic hero with no flaws who just blazes through everything gets real old real fast.

 

[Valmond]

Maybe sometimes? But mostly no. I think they are overdone, and maybe too simplistic. Those types never hit the mark, or even close really.

I have never written them and never will. They are just pretty bad with few exceptions.

 

[Cipiteca396]

Your examples are a little all over the place...

I like Beowulf (maybe) and Aragorn, but I don't like Achilles or Gilgamesh (probably).
Herakles, depends on the version of the story...
The Dragonborn isn't even really a character.

I like Paragons. I usually like Epics. There's often room for overlap, but not always.

 

[Forcalor]

I bet people have only vague understanding of what a proper epic hero does for the story. There's some idea that it's some larger-than-life unrealistic, or as someone penned here, simplistic person that acts out what do-gooder is supposed to.

But no. Not really. The ancient examples you're mentioned are almost all screwed up people, look it up. The modern ones, on the other hand... I'd think someone like Kratos would be more fitting example here... Also we have two Aragorns essentially, a movie version and a book one. They represent rather different takes on the same idea

I suppose what I'm trying to say, don't write them off as being 'overdone' or whatever. Usually it's a tragic or nuanced figure.

 

[Our_Lady_in_Twilight]

Maybe they're better when they fade into the background a bit. Aragorn and Rand al'Thor are well and good but they either are, or quickly become, pretty unknowable. Frodo and the Aes Sedai girls serve much better as main protagonists since they are relatable and the consumer can more easily build a human connection with them. Skywalker is sort of a hybrid of both, but even then I believe Han Solo edges him for popularity?

 

[StoneInky]

Epic Heroes. Gilgamesh, Achilles, Beowulf, Herakles; the ancient examples.
Epic Heroes. The Dragonborn, Aragorn, (Various Star Wars Protagonists); the modern examples.

Do you like reading them? Do you like writing them? What is the general opinion on these types of characters and stories in 2025?
I want to know what people in general (or at least a vocal subset of amateur authors if I can't get people in general) think.

Unsure what ya mean by that. Do you mean 'Chosen one/hero' archetype? Personally I like em only with a twist.

 

[Placeholder]

Variation is nice. Were you to take your favorite himbo/herbo/thembo and sub them in as the protag in all of your favorite stories it would get old fast.

Theora from Let’s Not Obliterate, Orodan from The Stubborn Skill-Grinder In A Time Loop, Vorkosigan, Stray Cat, and Frodo each are interesting. And different.

 

[LesserSarcasm]

Messed up people from times not so long ago are mostly heralded as hero's. Anime and mangas version is usually no better then glorified assassins / hitmen paid in personal power. Heros need character flaws timeless heros like herakles and Beowulf had them i can't remember the story of Gilgamesh so can't comment on it.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Messed up people from times not so long ago are mostly heralded as hero's. Anime and mangas version is usually no better then glorified assassins / hitmen paid in personal power. Heros need character flaws timeless heros like herakles and Beowulf had them i can't remember the story of Gilgamesh so can't comment on it.

The problem with Gilgamesh is that there are multiple, often conflicting, versions of his story. I've only found two small segments myself (one of them considered "definitive" - but only about a page long, the other a little longer but with details disputed by those studying the myths!) but have had people point out more complete versions (though I've heard some have commentary longer than the actual tales).

 

[yeul_e]

personally. I'm tired of traditional heroes. But anti-hero can suck big time too if not executed properly.