Project Idea: Epic Heroes

There is no shortage of heroes in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. But who stands out as a real hero to you? What makes a real hero? For a class project, you could zoom in on a single character to consider their heroic qualities, or create a collection of different characters who embody heroism in their own ways. You could also think about what the events of the epic look like when viewed through the eyes of your hero(es).

Research Tip: If you are interested in the topic of heroism, use that lens as you are reading, looking for heroic qualities in all the characters you meet. You will find comic books on Reserve in Bizzell, and you can see in what way the heroes of the epics are like what you might expect from a comic book hero (or not). As you find characters who really intrigue you, use Wikipedia to get more background information; you might find information there that does not figure directly in the epics!

Past Projects:

• Mahabharata: The Heroes
• Arjuna: Essence of a Hero