Section A11: Classics and Comics
This is an investigation, literary and graphic, ancient and modern, of a large and serious question: How did we get from the Greek hero to the comic book superhero? How is it that, in popular usage, hero means self-sacrificing do-gooder, when ancient heroes were god-tormented malcontents who sacked cities and killed to maintain their honor? Although the comics have taken a somber turn in the last twenty years and seem to have returned somewhat to their ancient roots (Batman, the Dark Knight, is only one example), there is still a huge gulf between Hercules and Superman. The class will read the Sumerian Gilgamesh and some Greek tragedies; study Achilles and Oedipus; ponder the Roman legends of Livy and the epic of Aeneas; and explore the world of American superhero comics from artistic, philosophical, literary and mythical angles.
All students who select this course must already be familiar with at least one comic-book hero, and not just through the movies; please bring your hero to campus in some print form for sharing and for study. I will make my old Silver Surfer comics available; maybe you have a volume of collected Wonder Woman or Green Lantern reprints?