Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature

Heroes hold a special place in our imagination. Names such as Odysseus, Beowulf, and Queen Guinevere summon up mythic legends, while Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Huckleberry Finn are some of the most recognizable figures in all of world literature. What do these memorable characters have in common? And what impact have they made on world history? Heroes and Legends: The Most Influential Characters of Literature is an opportunity to study some of the most memorable and important characters ever created. Taught by Professor Thomas A. Shippey of Saint Louis University—one of the most well-known scholars of J.R.R. Tolkien—these 24 lectures give fresh insight into what makes a hero and what makes a character successful.