What is an epic hero? Although we would like to believe that a hero would always be there to save us in our time of need, that is not always the case. All heroes are different, but what makes them epic? Many would answer this question by saying because they are in a poem or epic story; However, this answer is not true. An epic hero, of course, is in an epic narrative, but that is what he accomplishes in this specific text. Firstly, an epic hero must go on a great journey and be in God's favor or shall we say the chosen one. Furthermore, he must be considered superior to every other man. For clarity, the epic hero must be bigger, faster, stronger and wiser than anyone in history, except the Gods of course. Additionally, the epic hero is generally selfless, leader, and honorable. These are just some of the specific qualities an epic hero must possess to be epic. Another characteristic of every epic hero is his own tragic flaw. Anyone can be a hero, but it takes a lot more to be considered an epic hero. Some epic heroes from several different texts that will be analyzed will be Achilles from The Iliad, Odysseus from The Odyssey, Aeneas from The Aeneid, Socrates from The Republic, Gilgamesh from The Epic of Gilgamesh, Beowulf from Beowulf and King Arthur from Morte D. "Arthur. The first epic hero is the honorable Achilles from the epic poem The Iliad by Homer. Achilles is depicted as a proud and courageous man in this epic with a great tragic flaw. Of course, every epic hero had this great fault which ultimately brings him down For Achilles, his tragic fault would be the fact that he is proud and easily angered and he allows himself to be consumed: “But all men that; he saw retreat from middle of paper... don't go on an epic journey, he is a great king and he endures an epic battle he is also the face of unity and peace All these heroes. are epic for their own reasons, but some are more epic than others Works Cited Galvin, Rachel. “The Imprint of Immortality.” Humanities. September 1, 2002: 18. Electronic library. Internet. November 11, 2013. Heydt, Bruce. “Legends of Arthur.” British Heritage. December 1, 2001: 58. Electronic library. Internet. November 11, 2013. Keats, John. “Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.” National Review. May 17. 2004: 23. Electronic library. Internet. November 10, 2013. McAuliff, Coller, Andrea... “The Odyssey”. School scope. September 6, 2004: 4. Electronic library. Internet. November 11, 2013. O'Neill, Kathleen.. The Aeneid. Barron's, 2004. Electronic Library. Internet. November 11, 2013. Warsh, Lewis. Beowulf. Barron's, 2004. Electronic Library. Internet. November 3, 2013. Yarbrough, Jane. The Republic. Barron's, 2004. Electronic Library. Internet. October 13. 2013.