Epic heroes and their epic requirements

So, for English class we have to write about the Odyssey by Homer, from way back when. We read the story in class and must prove that Odysseus is an epic hero. I, personally, disagree, but that's not an option. First off, according to my English teacher, here is the traits of an epic hero:

*unusual birth or upbringing
*extraordinary strength or intelligence
*sent into exile or goes on a quest in search of something important
*endures many trials/tested many times
*supernatural enemies
*aided by divine beings
*travels to places ordinary humans cannot follow
*embodies the values of his culture/society
*glorified on return

I don't want to spend my whole post complaining about Odysseus, so I'll just spend my whole post talking about epic heroes who I do like. Top 5.

1) Perseus Jackson! I'm using his title like the monsters do. Anyways, this, includes any and all demigods and saytr/fauns and creatures from the percy Jackson or heroes of Olympus series, at least, the good ones or the main ones. Or a combo of both. Only they can get into camp half blood and new Rome, they're kids of Greek gods (or mythological creatures) so the unusual birth and magic places with a big red "no humans allowed" sign is covered. Being the kids of Greek gods or goddesses or being mythological creatures comes with perks, including that of special powers like strength or intelligence. Let's not even count every single quest, because I don't have an eternity. Let's just say it has happened, and every quest includes a great trial so check check. Supernatural enemies: Kronos and Gaea, give me something hard. Embodies values? Funny, sarcastic, loyal, brave, all our heroes and cultures are alike. Glorified on return? That kinda happens when you save the world.

2) Link. From legend of Zelda. Epic? Yes. Hero? Duh. Saving Hyrule a few hours and times will do that. Unusual birth or upbringing: he never has parents, but I don't know if that's too unusual. Maybe they just died or disappeared or whatever. Huh. Some games Link is a child, and in the middle of his upbringing, so weird, I guess..... Hero chosen by the goddess could count as strange upbringing, extraordinary strength (it is!) and his aid by divine beings. Also, depending on the game, he is aided by Gorgons, zoras, sages, all types of not human -and usually magical- Creatures. In one game he is even taught by a spirit that comes to him, and let's not forget his companions, midna, fi, ghost Zelda, navi and many, many more. His quest in search of something important changes game to game. Spirit tracks it was the tracks, skyward sword it's Zelda, twilight princess it's the links to the twilight world (mirror of shadows and stuff). I consider each temple a trail or test (check it, bag it, wrap it in a bow), supernatural enemies; Gannon. Or gannondorf, if you like longer names. Travels to places mortals cannot follow? Skyward sword it's the untamed land below sky loft, in twilight princess it's the twilight. Embodies values? Brave, strong, persistent, loyal. Glorified on return? Every temple he saves, every person he helps loves him for it.

3) Naruto. Unusual birth or upbringing? His parents died the day he was born, sealing a tailed beats into him and he had to raise himself. His parents are the hokage and the previous jinchuriki. Unusual? No dip. Extraordinary strength? Well, he has the tailed beast chakra, so yeah. But his intelligence is a *little lacking. (*its bigger on the inside). Quests? In the ninja world they're called missions. And he goes on many, but one that prevails thought it all is to change his best friend Sasuke. Endures many trials? Have you seen the akutsuki? He fights them all, and then some. Plus making everyone like him, changing people and controlling a tailed beast. Trails a plenty watashino tomodachi (my friend). Supernatural enemies? Between the akutsuki, orumachu, nine tails (at least for parts of it) and the bad guy on every quest he's on, I think we have that covered. Aided by divine beings? Well, ninjas from his village, the tailed beasts (they all help later) and help from his parents (they're consciousness is locked in his tailed beast chamber and.... Oh, just watch the show) that's another point for the orange hokage. Travels places others cannot? Tailed beast chamber. Embodies culture? Outcast just trying to make people accept him, funny, strong, persistent, never gonna give up on any task or any person. Loyal. Um, duh, he does. Glorified upon return? From every mission, every person he changes, every for he beats. He does get a lot of lovin.

4) Sam and dean, supernatural. Unusual upbringing. Well, how many of you were raised hunting monsters? Check. They don't have extraordinary strength or intelligence but they're vessels for being technically angels, and Sam has special powers.... That are spoilers, so just you wait! Goes on a quest. You mean like fighting monsters, saving people, defeating lucifer? Checkity check check. Endures many trails. Like nine seasons of them! Supernatural enemies? They're actually called episodes, one per episode or five. Divine beings aidin them? Well, angels, God, even a demon or two.... Lucifer kinda helps em cause he needs Sam.... And that's just the scratch of the surface. Travels to places people cannot follow? Well, Dean went to Hell (the place not the word) and back, literally. They both went to heaven and back, so hmm, kinda. Embodies values? Strong, brave, peristent, loyal, saving people, killing bad stuff. And they get praised on every done mission

5) the avengers. From what'd ya think? Unusual birth or upbringing. Tony is the kid of a super genius, captain America is from WWII, Thor is a prince god with a ice giant brother. Boom. Extraordinary strength or intelligence? Superpowers. Sent into exile or quest? Every movie, but all together, New York. Many trials? Loki, fighting amongst themselves, every individual movie. Supernatural enemies: Loki, frost giants, aliens, big red guy, every individual movie villian. Divine alies? Gods (Thor) and they're kinda superheroes who help each other. Travels to places ordinary people can't. SHEILD helllacarrier, frost realms (Thor), future (good ol' captain) stark towers, Tonys mansion I guess..... Ya know, the usual. Values of culture or society. Funny, sarcastic, loyal, strong, brave, smart, hard working, persistent. Glorified on return. Um, have you seen the end of the avengers? Those people were in love with the guys, between the interviews, street art, vidual thingys, they pretty much have all the glory for saving New York one group of hotties can.

So there yee go yee mateys (pirate speech haha), my heroes, are epic. And I love them. Maybe Odysseus was a hero of his time, but he's outdated. And someday even my heroes are going to be too (sniff). But they're who I consider epic heroes, and I will until the end of time.
Epic hero
Super-chu
Raven DeWitt