Classical fiction is filled with characters and tales that have influenced literature and culture for centuries. While many iconic heroes deserve recognition, there are heroes who often linger in the background - overshadowed by the protagonist - waiting for their moment to shine. Here, we'll name but a couple of examples who easily put 'modern' heroes to shame.

The Unseen Heroes of the Ancient World
When we think of heroes in classical fiction, names like Achilles and Odysseus spring to mind. Yet, there are lesser-known characters whose bravery and intellect are essential to the definition of heroism. Consider Eteocles from Sophocles' Seven Against Thebes. He often stands in his brother Polynices' shadow, but Eteocles demonstrates the virtues of loyalty and the heavy burden of leadership. He sacrifices his life for Thebes, showcasing that true heroism can also mean standing firm for one’s principles even in dire circumstances.
Another compelling figure is Telemachus, son of Odysseus, from Homer's The Odyssey. Throughout the story, Telemachus evolves from a timid boy into a confident young man who embarks on a quest to locate his father. This transformation highlights a different aspect of heroism — one that revolves around personal growth and inner strength. Readers often relate more deeply to characters facing internal challenges than those solely engaged in physical battles. Telemachus embodies the idea that courage includes confronting one’s fears and uncertainties: even Harry Potter does this.
Romantic Writers and Their Legacy
The Romantic era introduced male characters who struggle with deep emotions and societal expectations. One such character is Heathcliff from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Seen through the lens of his intense relationship with Catherine, Heathcliff's journey is not just about love but also about revenge and longing. His complexity challenges readers to broaden their perception of heroism to include emotional struggles and moral questions.
Similarly, we must consider Monsieur de Valmont from Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Valmont is more than just a figure of seduction; he embodies the cleverness and charm that complicate our understanding of heroism. Readers are very much drawn to anti-heroes because they reflect the complexity of real life. Valmont forces us to reassess traditional views of hero and villain, prompting discussions about morality and motive within the intricate dance of power and desire.
Why re-visit these guys?
In today's world of literature, film and television, recognising the importance of these heroes becomes crucial. Characters from classical fiction deliver timeless insights about bravery, vulnerability and emotional intelligence. One need not go further than many of the tag-along characters from Lord of the Rings. Samwise Gamgee comes to mind: while Frodo may steal the limelight, Sam is no less courageous. In spite of his fear, he presses on.
Revisiting these characters not only elevates them from obscurity but also enriches our appreciation of men, of heroes, and we ask ourselves with these characters what it really means to be manly, to be heroic. These male characters illustrate critical aspects of the human experience and challenge us to rethink the 'modern' heroes we celebrate - tolerate - in manuscripts and screenplays.
These side characters - let alone the protagonists - stand tall against our 'modern' heroes who are being scribbled into life with crayons: who are barely heroic: who are wooden, hollow souls at best: who are self-serving, insufferable, weak, whiney, unflawed... unrealistic: man-children in arrested development. And thank God 'Modern' heroes are forgotten the instant they are read or watched. They deserve to be wiped from our collective conscience.
Bringing Untold Tales to Light
A quest to rediscover the untold heroes of classical fiction is a rewarding journey. By analysing the intricate narratives of Eteocles, Telemachus, Heathcliff, Valmont and, certainly, Tolkien, we can see the many forms that heroism can take. These characters do not always fit traditional moulds, but examining their unique qualities allows us to expand our understanding of heroism.
Yeah, there were men in classical literature who weren't heroes or didn't know how to be, but man, the era of anything pre-2000 knew what it meant to be a hero. You can't flick through fifty books or movies and struggle to find real heroes like you do now.
What kind of society are we creating when the men in books and on-screen act like teenagers in forty-year-old bodies: arguing like fifteen-year-olds, never taking anything seriously, never understanding that their actions have re-life consequences? Pick any of the men in Marvel films and you tell me if they're men or they're boys with magical toys.
Dear readers and any future writers of heroic deeds, I encourage you - I implore you - to explore classical texts and let us actively work to highlight these lost legends, enhancing our literary and cinematic landscape for future generations.
'Modern' heroes are, frankly, cow dung.
Our only hope is to go back to good ones, so we can move forward and give boys better heroes to live up to.

Happy reading!

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