Watch Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature

TV-PG
2014
1 Season

Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature is a captivating and enlightening course from The Great Courses that is perfect for anyone who loves reading books or studying literature. The course is a glorification of the fictional characters who have become archetypes in the world of literature and have impacted cultures for generations.

In this course, the instructor takes learners on a journey through the most influential characters of literature from ancient Greek epics to modern-day comic books. The course is divided into 24 lectures, each focusing on one character and their unique contribution to literature. The lectures are delivered by Professor Thomas A. Shippey, a world-renowned expert in the field of medieval literature.

The course begins with an introduction to the idea of character archetypes and how they can inspire readers and writers alike. The first lecture focuses on Achilles from Homer's Iliad, the ultimate ancient Greek hero, whose legacy has left a lasting impact on Western culture. The course then moves on to explore other iconic characters such as Beowulf, King Arthur, and Robin Hood.

What makes this course so intriguing is not just the rich exploration of historical and literary characters, but the themes of larger-than-life heroism and legends that are woven throughout. The lectures are full of fascinating insights into literary history, as well as interpretations of the characters and their impact on culture, politics, and society.

One of the unique features of the course is that Professor Shippey draws on contemporary sources to highlight the modern-day importance of the characters. For example, the lecture on Gandalf, the wizard from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings series, examines how Gandalf has become an archetype of the wise mentor in modern culture.

This is not just a course for literature enthusiasts or students, but for anyone who appreciates the stories that form the foundation of human storytelling. The course is also suitable for anyone who loves mythology, explores archetypical characters, or interested in the intriguing evolution of storytelling.

The course comprises 24 well-structured, thought-provoking lectures, discussing in detail heroes of mythology, ancient, medieval and modern classics, right up to current literary trends. The instructor uses both literature and mythology to show how these characters have shaped our thinking and modern-day culture. The lecture on Superman, for example, explores how the character has become a symbol of hope and has redefined the superhero archetype in American culture.

The Heroes and Legends course is not for entertainment purposes only but is relevant to contemporary life. It offers a peek into how the legendary and fictitious characters have influenced global culture over time. Each lesson offers an excellent combination of critical analysis, interpretation, and historical context.

This course offers an entertaining and informative look at some of the most iconic characters in literature, discussing their significance and impact on contemporary culture. The course also offers the opportunity for philosophical discussion of the universal issues around heroism, morality, and leadership.

In summary, Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature provides a comprehensive and in-depth look at the fictional characters that have captured our hearts and influenced our culture for generations. The course is easy to comprehend, and the instructor offers intriguing insights, making it an enjoyable and educational experience. The Great Courses combine a series of lectures that offer a comprehensive insight into the history of characters, how theyâve evolved, and how their stories have persisted through generations. Highly recommended.

Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature is a series that ran for 1 seasons (24 episodes) between March 7, 2014 and on The Great Courses

Filter by Source

Rent or Buy Subscription

Apple TV Channels Prime Prime Video

Seasons

24. Harry Potter--Whistle-Blower Hero

March 7, 2014

Finish your course with one of the most unexpected hits of our time--and a smash hit at that. What can the surprising success of Harry Potter teach us about successful heroes? And what do his battles against Lord Voldemort tell us about our world today and the need for love, faith, and inner heroism?

23. Lisbeth Salander--Avenging Female Fury

March 7, 2014

Lisbeth Salander, the heroine from the popular Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series, seems to be an original character well suited to our times--hip, ingenious, computer savvy. But as you'll discover in this lecture, her character also has echoes of ancient myths, from the Greek Furies to the Scandinavian Valkyries.

22. Fairy-Tale Heroines--New-Style Princesses

March 7, 2014

Cinderella. Snow White. Rapunzel. These fairy-tale heroines are imbued in our cultural consciousness. What lessons are they meant to teach? And do these lessons align with our current cultural values? Study the composite fairy-tale heroine, both in the classic fairy tales and in modern revisions from authors such as Angela Carter and Margaret Atwood.

21. James Bond--A Dangerous Protector

March 7, 2014

Thanks to novels, movies, and an array of charismatic actors, nearly everyone in the developed world knows about James Bond and how he drinks his martini--"shaken, not stirred." But who is Bond? What makes him tick? Look beyond the girls, gadgets, and glamour and discover the secret to the James Bond franchise.

20. Winston Smith--The Hero We Never Want to Be

March 7, 2014

Winston Smith, the central figure in George Orwell's nightmare scenario, 1984, is fearful, undernourished, and oppressed by the state--not exactly the image we conjure up when we think of the word "hero." Dive into the dystopia of Big Brother and Ingsoc and find out what makes Winston worthy of being called a hero.

19. Celie--A Woman Who Wins Through

March 7, 2014

We've seen that heroes don't always have to be gods or queens or the social elite. Dirt poor in Georgia in the 1930s, Celie--the heroine from Alice Walker's The Color Purple--is at the bottom of the social totem pole, yet she exhibits remarkable heroism in the way she overcomes the forces pressing against her.

18. Mowgli--The Wolf Child

March 7, 2014

A boy in the woods, raised by wolves and living by the law of the jungle: This story is familiar to us, thanks to Rudyard Kipling's classic stories and the later Disney film. Revisit the original stories to see what they tell us about humanity, morality, imperialism, and political responsibility.

17. Dracula--The Allure of the Monster

March 7, 2014

The 19th century produced a radically different kind of hero: the spooky and fantastical Dracula. After observing the structural complexity of this novel, you'll examine the hidden fears and repressed sensuality that led Bram Stoker to create this vampire and his seductive brides. Then ponder Dracula's lasting effect on world literature.

16. Sherlock Holmes--The First Great Detective

March 7, 2014

We are familiar with Sherlock Holmes's methodology--using clues, facts, evidence, and reason to solve the case. Here, go inside the world of the 19th century and see what circumstances paved the way for such a hero. Then, turn to some of Sherlock's most exciting cases.

15. Huckleberry Finn--Free Spirit of America

March 7, 2014

Join Huck Finn on his American odyssey down the Mississippi River. Although the story at first seems to be the fun adventure of a free-spirited hero, you'll explore the moral complexities of 19th-century America as Huck struggles with the tension between his conscience and the social circumstances in which he grew up.

14. Uncle Tom--The Hero as Martyr

March 7, 2014

The name "Uncle Tom" has complex associations today, but Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel had a truly powerful impact when it was published in 1852. Explore the historical circumstances of slavery that inspired Stowe's novel, and then consider the fortitude that makes this meek, long-suffering character a hero.

13. Natty Bumppo and Woodrow Call--Frontier Heroes

March 7, 2014

Shift your attention to two very American heroes: Natty Bumppo from James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans and Woodrow Call from Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove series. These frontier heroes bring to life the conflict between Anglo- and Native American cultures--and capture a reality often glossed over by the romance of the Wild West.

12. Elizabeth Bennet--A Proper Pride

March 7, 2014

Meet the charming heroine from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. The story of her complicated relationship with Mr. Darcy is a realistic Cinderella story and has lent itself to numerous adaptations, including Bridget Jones's Diary. Consider the integral role that money and social class play in this classic tale of love and romance.

11. Robinson Crusoe--A Lone Survivor

March 7, 2014

Robinson Crusoe might be the most flawed hero in the course--a colonizer and a slave-owning capitalist. Why, then, is he such an enduring character? Is it the desert-island story? Or is there something inherent in Crusoe's character, beyond the flaws, that has helped him stand the test of time?

10. Don Quixote--The First of the Wannabes

March 7, 2014

Turn next to Don Quixote, a wannabe knight-errant whose infamous exploits mark a pivotal moment in the history of literature. Explore his fantastic adventures and meet Sancho Panza, who is perhaps literature's first antihero. See why this novel is so innovative and how it has influenced writers in the centuries since its publication.

9. Robin Hood--The Outlaw Hero

March 7, 2014

Who was Robin Hood? He's an anomaly in this course because his story cannot be traced to a single work or figure. Perhaps because of these gaps in the story, he seems to be a bundle of contradictions. Delve into the politics, religion, and society of Robin Hood's origins to understand his character and lasting appeal.

8. Thor--A Very Human God

March 7, 2014

Thor may seem like another classic male hero--the god of thunder in Norse mythology and a superhero today--yet the Icelandic poems and stories from the 13th century undercut the image of Thor as a straightforward hero. These amusing tales will give you a new window into a character you thought you knew.

7. Beowulf--A Hero with Hidden Depths

March 7, 2014

Beowulf is not an easy poem to understand, but Beowulf is not an easy character to understand. Here, analyze how this classic male hero--a big, strong, monster killer--may have a hidden vulnerability. Then, look at what insights Beowulf's story offers about life and death, the limits of self-reliance, and the path to achieving wisdom.

6. Cressida--A Love Betrayed

March 7, 2014

Cressida is an archetypal femme fatale, embroiled in a love triangle between her true love, Troilus, and the bad boy, Diomedes. Through the lens of Chaucer, Shakespeare, and the Scottish poet Robert Henryson, discover what makes Cressida tick--why does she send Troilus a "Dear John" letter? What doesn't she understand about love?

5. The Wife of Bath--An Independent Woman

March 7, 2014

Chaucer worked harder on the Wife of Bath than on any other character in The Canterbury Tales, leaving us not one but four separate perspectives on one of literature's most memorable female characters. Discover what Chaucer reveals about her, the time she lives in, and the surprising complexity of her character.

4. Guinevere--A Heroine with Many Faces

March 7, 2014

Trace Guinevere's adulterous affair with Lancelot and consider what effects it had on cultural values and Western history. As a powerful woman in the heart of King Arthur's court, Guinevere is an intriguing heroine--passionate, strong-willed, and complex in a way that still captures our imagination today.

3. Aeneas--The Straight Arrow

March 7, 2014

Turn now to the Roman straight arrow. Aeneas's story takes him from the Trojan War to the courtship of Queen Dido and on to the founding of Rome. In writing this epic, Virgil helped shape the Roman Empire's sense of self. It also shows how old legends provide the inspiration for new tales.

2. Odysseus--The Trickster Hero

March 7, 2014

Go back to the beginning of world literature to explore what made Homer's traveling hero such a powerful figure. Odysseus's story set the model for countless road narratives, but his character, which is surprisingly sly and resourceful, is unique. Here, follow him on some of his many adventures.

1. Frodo Baggins--A Reluctant Hero

March 7, 2014

What makes certain characters successful? Begin your study with a look at Frodo Baggins, the hobbit-hero from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In considering what makes him a hero--and how he runs counter to our notions of the traditional hero--you'll see how changing cultural values connect to heroism.

Description

Where to Watch Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature

Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature on demand at Apple TV Channels, Prime and Prime Video.