Why Superheroes Are Modern Myths
Throughout history, myths about gods, heroes, and supernatural events have been helping people understand the mysteries of life, human behavior, and societal dynamics. These stories helped people answer questions like: Who are we? Why are we here? How should we live?
Even though the specific stories have changed over time, mythology itself has lasted by adapting to fit each new generation. Modern stories in novels, comic books, games, and movies continue to play the same role that myths did for ancient societies. Today, superheroes can be seen as modern myths—they too have superpowers, face unnatural challenges, and deal with moral choices, just like the heroes of the past. After all, superhero stories, same as ancient mythical heroes, explore universal themes such as justice, knowledge, and the fight between good and evil.
In today's essay, I’ll examine the similarities between ancient heroes and modern superheroes by exploring how ancient heroes like Setna of Egypt, Gilgamesh of Uruk, and Hercules of Greece represented the values and struggles of their cultures. Then, I’ll compare these heroes to modern ones like Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Iron Man, and the Hulk by focusing on how they play similar roles in today's society.
So, without further ado, this is why superheroes are modern-day myths.
Mythological Heroes as Cultural Symbols
In ancient cultures, heroes were central to how people understood their world because they represented the qualities that societies valued or warned against. For example, the Egyptian prince Khaemwaset, who was later idolized in fiction as Setna, was an ancient Egyptian hero who was famous for his magical skills and encounters with the supernatural. His stories reflected Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife, knowledge, and the limits of human power. Setna's quest for magical knowledge symbolized humanity’s desire to go beyond normal limits but also served as a warning about the dangers of hubris.
Similarly, Gilgamesh, the king of Uruk, was a hero who showed both the greatness and flaws of leadership. His epic story, one of the oldest in history, explores themes like human mortality, the meaning of life, and the virtue of friendship. After the death of his friend Enkidu—and due to his fear of death and his struggle to find meaning—Gilgamesh sets out on a quest for immortality. Even though Gilgamesh has divine qualities, his story teaches that all humans, no matter how powerful, must face death and make the most of their lives.
Hercules is another example of how ancient myths explored both the strengths and weaknesses of people. Hercules had incredible physical power, but it often led him to tragedy when he couldn’t control it. His Twelve Labors represent the challenges people face in life, both from the outside and from within themselves. Hercules’ story teaches that real heroism is not just about being strong—it’s also about controlling oneself and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Just like ancient heroes, modern superheroes are symbols of the values and struggles of today’s world. For example, modern-day superheroes tackle issues like justice, identity, equality, and responsibility. They provide role models by showing us how to act in difficult situations by reflecting the ideals we strive for in society.
Modern superheroes represent cultural values in a world that is increasingly diverse and complex. Heroes like Black Panther show the desire for justice and empowerment, especially in marginalized communities. T'Challa isn't just a hero for his fictional nation, Wakanda, but also a symbol of the balance between tradition and modernity. He deals with issues of leadership, responsibility, and identity, similar to how Gilgamesh grappled with his role as a king.
On the other hand, there are clear similarities between Prince Setna and Dr. Strange. Setna was once a famous prince who was fascinated by ancient Egypt. Yes, Egypt is so old that the ancient Egyptians had their own ancient Egyptians, but that’s a story for another day. For now, what you need to know about Prince Setna is that during his attempts to unlock the ancient past, he achieved unlimited magical knowledge, which led him to countless adventures full of ethical challenges and epic encounters with the supernatural. This encouraged the people of the ancient world to think about the limits of human power and the consequences of misusing it because, just as with modern Egyptology, the Egyptians of the time were wondering if the search for knowledge was enough reason to break into tombs and disturb the dead. This is reflected in Setna's story—known as Setna I—where he is confronted by the ghosts of the family whose tomb he had just opened.
With Dr. Strange we have a man who was once a brilliant surgeon but turned to magic after an accident damaged his hands. His journey to become a master of the mystical arts mirrors Setna's pursuit of magical knowledge. Like Setna, Dr. Strange has to deal with the moral questions surrounding the limits of human knowledge and what is ethically acceptable in the pursuit of knowledge.
The parallels between Setna and Dr. Strange highlight an important theme in both ancient and modern stories: the connection between knowledge, power, and responsibility. Both heroes are driven by the desire to explore the unknown, but they also learn that their actions have consequences.
Hero’s Journey & Character Transformation
Now that we've introduced some of our heroes and the parallels they share let's talk about the narrative structure they all have in common. Yes, it is time for The Hero’s Journey.
This narrative structure is a common storyline used in both ancient myths and modern superhero stories. Popularized by Joseph Campbell, this framework explains the stages a hero goes through—from getting a call to adventure, facing challenges, to coming back transformed. This pattern is found in mythological stories and still appears in superhero tales today.
In Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, the hero starts in an ordinary world and receives a "call to adventure" that forces them into extraordinary challenges. With the help of allies and by overcoming trials, the hero reaches a turning point that often helps them to gain wisdom or power. They then return to their home forever changed.
Gilgamesh, for example, fits perfectly into this journey. He begins as an arrogant leader, wanting eternal fame. But his call to adventure comes with the death of his friend Enkidu. This sends Gilgamesh on a quest for immortality. During his journey, he learns that real legacy is about caring for his people. Then, after learning his lesson, he returns home as a wiser ruler.
A modern counterpart would be Tony Stark, who starts as a weapons dealer and a selfish businessman. His call to adventure is when terrorists kidnap him. He is then confronted by the effects his weapons have on the world when he sees that his weapons are killing the very people they were supposed to protect. With the help of his ally, Tony Stark becomes Ironman and returns home a wiser man who understands the true toll of war.
Both Gilgamesh and Iron Man demonstrate that the Hero’s Journey is about inner growth. Leadership is not just about having power—it’s about being responsible to others.
The Duality of Strength & Vulnerability
In both ancient myths and modern superhero stories, heroes often have to balance their strengths with their vulnerabilities. True, they have to clash with supernatural enemies in epic battles, but they also have to defeat the enemy within themselves. Hercules and the Hulk are great examples of this—they both have incredible power, but it also comes with a price.
Hercules' strength helps him complete the Twelve Labors. But that same strength is also his weakness—his uncontrollable anger leads to the tragic event of him killing his own family.
Similarly, Bruce Banner transforms into the Hulk whenever he gets angry. Like Hercules, the Hulk’s power has a heavy price. Banner’s fear of losing control and hurting others is the cornerstone of his entire arc, which is about understanding the limits and responsibilities that come with his power.
Hercules and Hulk are great examples of how strength and vulnerability are connected in both myths and superhero stories. They show that strength can be both a gift and a curse. Their stories remind us that power must be used carefully and teach us that true strength is not just about physical power—it’s also about managing our inner struggles and using our power wisely.
The Enduring Legacy of Mythology in Modern Culture
As I mentioned in the intro, mythology is timeless because it deals with questions about the universe, human nature, and society. Ancient myths featured gods, heroes, and monsters who represented both the best and worst of humanity. These stories taught moral and ethical lessons that still resonate with us today. That’s why we don't find it weird when we see Thor fighting beside Iron Man and Captain America because they're all mythological figures whose only purpose is to help us make sense of the world.
Superheroes, both ancient and modern, represent the timeless ideals of humanity like courage, justice, and fighting against oppression. They help us understand human fears, hopes, and desires by putting these traits onto heroes and monsters and giving us a sense of ourselves and the world. In uncertain times, superhero stories give us hope and remind us that individuals have the power to make a difference. These stories also help us deal with our emotions. Whether it's Hulk's struggle with anger or Spider-Man's desire to protect his loved ones, superheroes help audiences connect with their own feelings and challenges.
As the world changes, superhero stories will change too. Issues like climate change, artificial intelligence, and global inequality will influence future superheroes who will reflect the new challenges we face. Superheroes will continue to inspire us and remind us that even people deemed imperfect by their societies can rise to meet the challenges of their time.
Conclusion
And that’s it. Why superheroes are modern-day myths. I hope you’ve enjoyed this admittedly very weird topic. But let me know what you think in the comments down below. Who is your favorite Superhero, and is there an ancient version similar to them? Don't forget to like and subscribe. Until next time, Salam!
