r/Cosmere•
drgarner36

Cosmere Protagonists vs. Others

No Spoilers

Cosmere protagonists provide a complexity I don't see in most other stories. Specifically, the immediate reaction to most superhero-level protagonists such as in the Cosmere is, "gosh, I want to be like them" or "wouldn't it be awesome to be there" or etc. etc. Well. I don't think I want to be any of the Cosmere protagonists. I don't want to ever be in any of their shoes. In fact, I wouldn't want to live on any of the well-established Cosmere planets. What they all endure is incredible and upsetting. Be a wizard? A jedi? A DC/Marvel superhero? An avatar? A hobbit? A treasure hunter or space traveler? These all sound amazing. But to be a powerful entity in the Cosmere? Anybody with power in fact? I can't fathom it. Which is why these characters and stories are so powerful. So emotional and moving. Sanderson's writing delivers epics of human triumph above all else, struggles I never wish to endure myself but learn from all the same. What are your thoughts?

Posted Dec 1, 2025, 3:59 AM UTC

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