The Heroes of Great Literature course cover

The Heroes of Great Literature

5LESSONS
2.4hTOTAL LENGTH

The greatest stories ever told do more than entertain—they reveal the heights of human virtue and the depths of our shared struggle. Access your free course to rediscover the legendary heroes who illuminate the path toward truth and greatness.

Completion certificate is available for this course

Today, the greatest literary works of Western Civilization are often cancelled or suppressed. However, these books need to be read and understood in order to communicate important truths about ourselves and the world around us. In this class, you will journey through great works of literature as you explore virtue and vice in the development of the concept of the “hero”.

MEET YOUR PROFESSOR

Dr. Ben Reinhard

Dr. Ben Reinhard

Dr. Ben Reinhard received his Ph.D. from the Medieval Institute at the University of Notre Dame, writing his dissertation on Old English religious literature. Dr. Reinhard is the author of a new verse translation of Beowulf. His current research interests include Anglo-Saxon manuscripts, medieval saints’ lives, and modern translations of Old English poetry. He lives with his wife and children in Steubenville, OH.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Explore the evolution of the "Literary Hero" across different eras to understand how cultural values and theological shifts influence the portrayal of greatness and virtue

Analyze the distinction between the Pagan and Christian Hero to discern how the introduction of humility and grace transformed the classical pursuit of glory

Examine the moral arc of central characters in masterpieces of the Western Canon, from the knight, to the hero, to the lover, learning to identify the moments of crisis that forge true character

Learn to evaluate modern protagonists through the lens of traditional heroism, developing the critical tools to distinguish between the anti-hero and the truly magnanimous man

LESSONS IN THIS COURSE

Thumbnail for The Knight

Lesson 2

The Knight

26m
Thumbnail for The Lover

Lesson 3

The Lover

33m
Thumbnail for The Anti-hero
28m
Thumbnail for The Hobbit

Lesson 5

The Hobbit

29m

Ready to start learning?