Subject: Eh, maybe.
Author:
Posted on: 2013-06-10 20:01:00 UTC

It's important to bear in mind that the concept of a Sue is inextricably linked with the modern concept of what a good fictional character should be. The purpose and function of fictional characters has changed quite a lot since the likes of Hercules, Beowulf, and Gilgamesh were created. Particularly important, the mythical heroes weren't meant to be like real, relatable people. They were meant to represent an impossible ideal that people (read: men) were encouraged to strive for even without the expectation of actually achieving heroic status. They're also the product of their whole culture's oral traditions and values rather than just one writer with an inflated ego.

So, yes, by modern standards they are over the top and unbelievable, but they weren't written to suit modern readers, so it isn't necessarily fair to judge them by such standards. It's a bit like saying the Mona Lisa or Starry Night are inferior works of art because they doesn't look like something that was created on a computer.

~Neshomeh

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