The Modern Epic of Batman

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An epic is a long narrative poem that tells the exploits of an epic hero. Epics are comprised of an epic hero and an epic battle between good and evil. The earliest known epic today is The Epic of Gilgamesh. This tale is about Gilgamesh’s search for eternal life. Although epics have been around for thousands of years, the epic tradition still has an enormous impact on modern writing and film. In fact, Batman, a story about Bruce Wayne trying to conquer all criminals in Gotham, can be seen as modern epic.
An epic must have a vast setting, start “in medias res” and consist epithets. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, he travels to an island that no human has ever been before and farther into the unknown world similar to how Bruce Wayne is released from prison in the beginning of his journey and travels to unknown high peaks in the snowy mountains where he is to be trained to become Batman. Epithets, a description phrase, are also included in epics. Batman, the Dark Knight, is Gotham’s savior when he finally defeats the Joker. Being born into royalty, Gilgamesh is also known as the king of Uruk. “In medias res” is typically how epics start, just like Batman and The Iliad start. The story of Batman starts with his parents being one of the wealthiest families in Gotham and the city being corrupt while ninth year of the Trojan War is when The Iliad begins.
An epic hero is admired for great achievements and is the main character in an epic. Heroic traits are elevations of status, having flaws, determining the fate of a city, perform great deeds, possess a special weapon, and experience a traumatic event. Bruce Wayne is born to one of the richest families in the city and expected to take over his father’s business, Wayne Company, the most pro...

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...ng the fight involving Batman and the Joker, there is news being broadcasted around the globe regarding the epic battle. The Ramayana’s epic battle is about Rama fighting Ravana to try and rescue his wife, Sita, whom Ravana took. During their battle, the earth rumbles, and thunder and lightning start striking.
Epics still influence the world today. They are still relevant because people can learn multiple life lessons and see repeating themes of what to do and what not to do. Reading children bedtime stories, or spotting patterns, epics are a wonderful piece of entertainment now. Heroic traits are values that different cultures hold dear to them. The hero is considered the “perfect” citizen who everyone is striving to be. Many heroes had flaws but their amazing deeds and personalities outweighed their mistake which directs people to want to do more good than bad.

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