Question

Each of the historical periods you studied in this course presented a hero or an idealized vision of the perfect individual. In the Anglo-Saxon times, the hero was a strong, honorable warrior with no fear. In the Middle Ages, the hero was a knight who was loyal to his lord and his lady and who protecte d the innocent. The so-called “Renaissance man” of the fifteenth century was a genius who was well-versed in science, poetry, and the arts. During the Enlightenment, the ideal man combined the intelligence of the ancient philosophers and the love for logic and scientific truth brought about by the most recent discoveries. Which of these archetypal figures do you think would be most appreciated today? Which one do you think would most benefit contemporary society? Support your ideas with specific examples from selections you read throughout the course.

I feel like the Middle Ages would be the one to choose, but I want to know what other people think and why

Answer 1

It would definitely be the Middle-Ages man, since the Anglo-Saxon times person just sounds like a stock hero from a normal written epic. Well, to be fair, they both do in my opinion.

I would select the Middle-Ages man, due to many different factors at play with him. He has a strong sense of justice, and was very well-versed in science, poetry, and the arts, meaning that he was well-educated and read some on his down-time, meaning that he would know what is going on during this time period, and would be quite caught up and understanding of what is going around him. 

The Anglo-Saxon man just sounds like a warrior who was a war hero, but not much for books. I imagine Andrew Jackson, but without any intellect if that's the case; I would heavily dislike that "warrior."