Thor: An Epic Hero

Thor, Odin, and Loki, all good marvel characters, but they didn’t originate in the minds of Stan Lee. In fact they originated nearly 1300 years earlier, in the Viking age. In that time Norse mythology was born in its entirety. The way it was shaped was an effect of the Viking way, and the Viking way was affected by their mythology. Norse mythology didn’t stay inclusive to their own gods because of their raids and trading they learned different religions. Norse mythology integrated another mythology into theirs. This in turn cause wars between those said gods, specific to this essay the Aesir-Vanir War. This affected how Vikings saw the use of Seidr and this event was directly related to them raiding and trading with other lands.

There have been many grand stories about great warriors, and champions; those about epic heroes however, are the truly exceptional tales. One such tale, over a thousand years old, stands out from all the rest: Beowulf, the tale of a great warrior, on his quest to achieve eternal glory, defeating great opponents. Throughout the whole story, Beowulf demonstrates most –if not all- of the qualities that an archetypal hero possesses. He embodies the highest ideals of his culture, travels to find adventure, and is not emotionally connected to his followers. Beowulf undertakes his journey to achieve something of great value to himself and society, defeats monsters, yet maintains humanity. Although Beowulf experiences

Thor is one of the most famous of the gods in Norse mythology, well known due to his popularity. Thor is described as having a quick and hot temper, and a love for food. The enemies of the gods, the giants, were on the receiving end of

What makes a hero? Is it slaying a mighty monster? Saving a town? Hercules, son of zeus, may have done such things, but is he really one of the good guys? His twelve labours created by king Eurystheus may be seen as heroic acts, but in reality most were along the lines of stealing and murder. That leads to the question, is Hercules a hero or hitman?

According to the Norse Mythology for Smart People in the article, “THOR,” Thor is the thunder god, who protects Asgard from the giants, “Thor, the brawny thunder god, is the archetype of a loyal and honorable warrior, the ideal toward which the average human warrior aspired. He’s the indefatigable defender of […] Asgard from the encroachments of the giants […].” Thor is described as having similar characteristic of Finn: Loyal and honorable. Thor is also strong and courageous: “His courage and sense of duty are unshakeable, and his physical strength is virtually unmatched,” (THOR).

In the movie Thor, made in 2011, the main character and beholder of the “Mjolnir” Thor Odinson is the Asgardian God of thunder. He is the controller of the storms, causing rain, wind, thunder, and lightning whenever he wants, using his magical hammer, the “Mjolnir”. Thor displays the hero archetype by showing heart, bravery, and caring for others when he is able to overcome all of the obstacles thrown his way by his father and his brother Loki. However, not only does he have to overcome the obstacles thrown his way by his family, he has personal issues he needs to overcome. A lot of the issues he has to face head on in the film are due to being hard-headed and

Although most people find the film “Shrek” to be just a comical film, it actually fulfills the requirements needed to prove that Shrek is indeed an epic hero. “Shrek” is a 2001 computer-animated fantasy-comedy film based on William Steig’s fairytale picture book, “Shrek!” He has all the characteristics of an epic hero archetype, regardless of his hideous and vulgar appearance as an ogre. Shrek is brave, loyal, and lives up to the standards our society expects and appreciates. Shrek presents himself as evil and mean but on the inside he is actually compassionate and gentle. Campbell’s Monomyth and the process for an epic hero that includes the departure, the initiation, and the return are all present in Shrek’s

How do you define a hero? Some may define a hero with the ability to fly, or run fast; to others a hero may be saving someone who is in dangers; others may define a hero as one who is able to help another in various ways. Harry Potter is a orphan boy who find out he is a wizard and goes to a magic school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While he is at Hogwarts, he develops his supernatural qualities, goes on a journey, and defeats evil. Although Harry Potter is not a Epic hero in the same way as Odysseus, Harry Potter still fulfills the stages of epic hero cycle and proves that he is a hero by overcome obstacles and showing his bravery, and selflessness.

A hero can teach many life lessons, morals and various other things. A hero is someone who can be seen as a role model or hope to people. A view of a hero is different to everyone. A hero can save someone from a fire, they can be there to give support or even enlighten people. My heroes may differ from another person writing this same paper. The title hero is given to people for multiple reasons.

Due to being the God of mischief he is not shown in the spotlight and lives in his brothers shadow. We see his transformation throughout the movie as he wishes to begin the one true heir and take Thor place as future king which in order to secure his position he shows he is willing to kill his brother. Thor however found this hard to see as he does not seem that intimidating this only adds to him fitting the trickster archetype as does not seem to be the type to do that. This can fit easily modernly as many people can feel as if they are in the shadow of somebody especially if they are siblings. This can lead them to develop cold feelings towards them which they may not show or admit to until

The Hero’s Journey is an important concept, it is the template upon which a vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbuster are based upon. Being able to analyze, understand and deconstruct the different capacities undertaken by the Hero is essential. The Hero’s Journey is a cycle made of super structures/steps which consists of both linkages and connections. It is composed of a beginning and an end, which ultimately are the same. This full cycle is attained through periods of loss and gain (hardship) which in turn are subdivided into different sections, composed of micro mini stages which together act as stepping stones leading the hero full circle back to the beginning.

What comes to your mind when you think of an epic hero? When I think of an epic hero, I think of a superhero. The epic hero I’m writing about today is different from Superman or The Flash, a more modern epic hero. The epic hero I am writing about is a woman of color. Not only that but a teenager. She is someone who multiple people around the world can see themselves as. One thing all epic heroes do have in common is a story, and her is Moana’s.

Do you know what a Epic Real Hero is? My epic hero is Hercules because he is the Bravest of all because he killed the Nemean Lion. He also had so much Strength that he did what he wished. He also had Immortality he was brave and not really scared of much. He was not fake upon anyone he was talented and was also a divine hero to many. He was the son of Zeus and Amphitry and the great grand-son of Perseus. His greatest adventure have been cataloged as the 12 labors of Hercules.

In Norse mythology, Thor is known as the God of Thunder. The Vikings believed that the sound of thunder was caused by Thor. In the Norse myth, Thor and his mighty hammer, Miolnir, take on the destructive giants. It is said that every crack of thunder is Thor dropping his hammer down. (The Encyclopedia of Ancient Myths and Culture 449-455)

Thor did not recognize his unbelievable superpowers right away, in fact, he did not realize that he was even Thor until later on in his life. He was first a psychiatric nurse called Thorlief Golmen. One day he suffered a nervous breakdown before his 30th birthday. During the 18 months he spent institutionalized, he claims to have realized who he was and why he has been sent to Earth. This is when he realized he was Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, to save the planet. After getting in many fights he figured out his most useful power was his magnificent strength. He is so remarkably strong that his strength level is officially rated at Class 100 in the