Heroic Literature

I love reading, however I am the least familiar with heroic literature.  Gilgamesh, Beowulf, Sir Lancelot, and King Arthur are names I recognize but I know very little about them!  Beowulf, Sir Lancelot, and King Arthur are old English heroic tales that date back centuries ago.  I am excited to expand my knowledge base in literature by being introduced to heroic literature.  I feel that tales of heroes are important because every individual has their own idea or concept of a hero.  A hero is best known as someone who is courageous and willing to help others.  Heroes are found in all cultures and I’m curious to see the similarities and differences between these heroes from culture to culture.  Heroes today are not necessarily in stories or tales.  In my opinion, heroes in today’s world are important political figures who have made strides in helping those are who are underprivileged and those who have helped better mankind.  For example, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi.