Homer's Odyssey: Heritage Matters In A Hero

Heritage matters in a hero. The difference lies in what modern society values as opposed to what the Greeks valued. It was really important for Greek heroes to have a godly parent. It set the heroes apart in a way that was desirable, yet unattainable. In fact, there are few examples of Greek heroes that don’t have a godly parent. Heracles was borne to Alcmene by Zeus. Achilles was the son of the nymph Thetis and King Peleus. Aethra bore Theseus to Poseidon and Aegeus. Jason did not, however, have a godly parent, although he was the son of a King. The majority of Greek heroes are either gods themselves, or are the children of gods. This makes them superior to mere mortals and able to complete tasks mere mortals could not. Ajax and Achilles
Modern society values the underdog story. This is because the underdog is easy to empathize with. Anyone who comes from affluent or privileged background is not considered a hero since they had an advantage most people don’t get. Donald trump, who received a "small loan of a million dollars" that he had to pay back with interest, is not a modern hero, even though he believes he came from humble beginnings. [politico] Perhaps if Trump possessed extraordinary strength, the Greeks would have considered him a hero.
Generally, the underdog comes from modest beginnings and overcomes adversity. Most people are able to identify with this, since most people aren’t filthy rich and have to work hard to achieve success. As a result, the underdog is idolized by modern society.
A hero has to be strong. The type of strength valued varies depending on the society being looked at. The Greeks valued physical strength. This strength is often the result of the hero being a demi-god. Heracles is most notable for his superhuman strength and ability to utilize brute force to his advantage. {Example: a couple of the tasks} In contrast, contemporary society values moral strength in its heroes. Modern heroes stand up for what is right in the face of an evil that challenges the well-being of their fellow
These heroes are placed on absurdly high pedestals and expected to remain perfect, yet simultaneously relatable. If a contemporary hero makes a mistake, society is disillusioned and casts them aside. OJ Simpson epitomizes this standard. Simpson was raised by a single mom in a run-down neighborhood in San Francisco and became a beloved football star, actor and sports commentator. [Bio.com] His eventual downfall came when he was accused of killing his wife and her best friend. He was first acquitted, then found liable for the two deaths in a later civil trial. [the guardian] OJ Simpson might have once been a hero, but due to the unforgiving nature of the American people, he is now looked down upon. While the Greeks did not take the murder of one’s family members lightly, they would not completely disregard a hero because of it. The hero would suffer the consequences of his actions, but would still very much be a hero, as seen with Heracles and the murder of his