war stories

The world has scaled down considerably. Wars are no longer waged on open plains but in small rooms with flashing buttons and screens.

---

One man's wit and strength is rarely enough to win anymore, and even if it is, there are no epic poems written about their trials or feats. Nowadays, men with intelligence and persuasion are elected to lead and represent or work behind the scenes to put kings in place and take office in parliament or government. Those who are physically strong are relegated to spending their days competing for applause, and told to train with the aim of dominating a single field.

Men of character need and seek positions of power, or is it the other way round? I suppose for some the call of glory is louder; the allure of adventure more fragrant. These are characters destined for greatness and tragically fated, with no choice but to seize the sword.

If they existed now, they'd find themselves redundant. With no great cause to fight for, they'd end up fighting for themselves. Such stories of old were meant to inspire adventure and spur men on to win wars and save damsels. The tradition carries on with the advent of superheroes - modern day Achilleses, Herculeses and Ulysseses - symbols championing the strength of men - who, after accomplishing so many incredible things, all met their end. In this day and age, I wonder what we can learn from them.