Quote Originally Posted by Bert View Post
I thought they did it in movies before 300?
Indeed they did. Some of the earliest written versions of Beowulf, for instance, include the line "I am (called) Beowulf", or variations on that.

In Metal Gear Solid 3, nearly every 'boss' character announces their name in the same way:

"I am... The PAIN!"

"It is time for you... to feel The Fear!"

"I... am... The End!"

...and so on. All 300 did was take this turn of phrase and make it into something that has since become a temporary internet fad.