Heroes then and now

I wrote a couple of days ago about the new superhero Hancock. Here are more of my thoughts and researches about heroes.

Before "superheroes" were invented in the 20th century, heroes were demi-gods or mythical political figures such as Osiris, Buddha, Heracles, Odysseus, King Oedipus, Gilgamesh, Sigurd and many others from cultures I'm less familiar with.

The ancient heroes were different that superheroes in dramatic ways. In 1936, a British thinker named Lord Ragland developed a list of criteria for hero-myths from all cultures.

• His conception is the result of union between a god and a royal virgin
• Because of certain prophecies, an attempt is made on his life at birth, and he is spirited away to be raised by foster parents in a far country
• He is victorious over a king, giant, wild beast or dragon
• He marries a princess, often the daughter of his predecessor
• He becomes king himself and reigns uneventfully for a while
• Prescribes new laws
• He looses favor with his subjects and is driven out of the city to be killed under mysterious circumstances, often on top of a hill
• He leaves no successors and his body is not buried

Superheroes have different criteria (this is my own construction). Super-villains have some of these same characteristics, except that they are villians.

• They are usually earthlings (Superman is the notable exception)
• They become heroes either by a science experiment gone wrong or through their own mechanical ingenuity and physical strength
• They have a secret identity which, if discovered, would ruin them
• They have a secret love that can never be fulfilled or enjoyed, but they often have to rescue her.She also is vague about his true identity
• Good always triumphs over evil, usually at great cost to the hero
• The hero is often misunderstood by the shallow public but has the fortitude to “go it alone” and protect them in spite of their hatred

In the last 30 years or so, superheroes have evolved a bit at the hand of new writers. Most of the old characteristics are the same, but in order to accommodate a new deep cultural cynicism, they are more screwed up:

• Modern superheroes sometimes fight each other
• They can die
• They are increasingly tormented inside and frequently melancholy
• They give in to their dark sides, at least for a while, and become evil
• They give up on the public and let them suffer for it

If you know of others, on any list, let me know. If I agree with you, I’ll add it and have a more complete list.