Beowulf, Hektor, and Achilleus represent cultures that flourished thousands of years ago. Do today's heroes look anything like the heroes in these ancient tales? The characteristics of the epic heroes that you studied in this unit include the following:

The hero has special qualities and is called into an adventure.
The hero faces a significant battle, challenge, or obstacle.
The hero is the recipient of supernatural aid (or the victim of supernatural hindrance).
What traits do all heroes share? Who would be a hero today, based on the characteristics of an epic hero? Do you notice any specific differences between heroes of the past and present?

Read the excerpt from act 3 of a doll’s house. mrs. linde: you seemed to me to imply that with me you might have been quite another man. krogstad: i am certain of it. mrs. linde: is it too late now? krogstad: christine, are you saying this deliberately? yes, i am sure you are. i see it in your face. have you really the courage, then—? mrs. linde: i want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. we two need each other. nils, i have faith in your real character—i can dare anything together with you. krogstad [grasps her hands]. , , christine! now i shall find a way to clear myself in the eyes of the world. ah, but i forgot— how does the conflict in this passage develop a theme? mrs. linde creates a conflict by promising something she cannot give to krogstad, which develops the theme that empty promises can destroy relationships. krogstad continues the conflict by choosing clearing his name over having a life with mrs. linde, which develops the theme that you must often choose yourself over others. krogstad creates a conflict by deceiving mrs. linde about his intentions, which develops the theme that, in love, actions speak louder than words. mrs. linde resolves the conflict by committing to a new life with krogstad, which develops the theme that new beginnings are always possible.