Iron man is the new Achilles : the evolution of the ancient hero in modern-day superheroes

Abstract

In this thesis, a comparison between Ancient heroes from Greek Mythology and Contemporary Heroes from the Twentieth and Twenty-first centuries will be undertaken. This dissertation will put particular emphasis on Achilles, in the case of Greek Mythology, and Iron Man from Marvel, in the case of Contemporary Heroes. The renditions of these two heroes that will be the most focused on in this dissertation will be Achilles from Homer’s The Iliad and Iron Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), specifically The Infinity Saga, the most well-known interpretations of these respective characters. This comparison is being made in order to find whether there are certain characteristics of a hero that have transcended time. As well as character traits, the focus will be on features of vulnerability, ideologies and emotions experienced by both archetypes of heroes, while also exploring and analysing Achilles and Iron Man’s respective dynamics with other characters in The Iliad and MCU. Looking at these elements will bring this thesis a step closer to finding out how much the idea of a hero has evolved throughout the centuries, and if some of the core elements have remained in the idea of what a hero is after all this time. This will also explore the personalities of both heroes and some archetypes, seeing some of their fatal flaws and pride. By analysing these features, this thesis will see whether, when one looks beyond these two groups on a surface level, if contemporary heroes are spiritual successors to ancient ones, because of their common character traits and experiences in their stories.