The Hero

The hero is a universal character. Societies throughout time and throughout the world have embraced the hero. Though values vary greatly between cultures, the hero is one archetype that transcends these diferences. Much can be learned about societies, both ancient and modern, by examining the stories they tell.

Beowulf and The Odyssey may be tales from long ago, but they have endured because their messages are timeless. Each features a champion who placed himself on the line to defend an entire community, then returned to lead a long life and share his wisdom. This, however, is the ancient storyline. In every other movie, there is an action hero who saves the world, but there typically isn't an epilogue describing how this hero went on to lead a long, happy life, imparting his wisdom along the way. Although the specifics of what defines heroism may have evolved over time, there are some basic traits that every hero seems to embody. Its seems the overriding trait in most heroes is selflessness. Whatever defining act a hero does, it is not done for personal glory, and it is done in spite of personal sacrifice. This is what sets the hero apart from ordinary people. People instinctively look out for themselves, and personal interest is not the first priority of a hero. Whether risking life or even something as seemingly trivial as personal humiliation, a hero puts his- or herself on the line for the sake of something they deem worth that risk. Heroes are idolized because not everyone has that courage. A hero is not fearless; a hero is afraid and pushes forward anyway.

Perhaps a woman is not the stereotypical hero, but how many heroes don't fit into that mold? For thousands of years, one hero model has been the war hero. This is perhaps the character people initially think of as the quintessential hero. Now however, most people won't cite Odysseus as their hero. It likely isn't some war hero at all. Times have changed, and with that have come new challenges. Many people would consider the kid who stands up to a bully a hero, risking being targeted. Doctors often sacrifice much of their personal lives to "do their job," which is helping other people every day. These people may not initially stand out as heroes, but upon closer thought, perhaps more people would consider them to be so. That being said, women only recently have begun to be accepted as soldiers, and so there aren't many historic women who were war heroes. Those who were are most atypical. Even in Disney's Mulan, Mulan had to disguise herself as a man in order to fight. However, once accepted that a hero is not only a combatant, it is clear that women can be heroes. While males may still dominate the military, the military character no longer dominates the theme of heroism. Therefore, a woman can be a hero because anyone can be a hero. It is not about the person or their background, but their actions. No one is a hero because they have big muscles or run quickly; it is action that makes a person heroic.

People need heroes to give them hope. Heroic struggles are a pattern people can look to and apply to their own lives. The hero is often closely linked with the idea of a role model. A hero is someone people can look to to emulate. Even in violent war stories, by pulling out a heroic theme, the deeds are made acceptable with the idea of a "greater good." People do need heroes, but to have them or not isn't really a choice. People do have heroes and always will. That is why it is a universal idea- no one dreamed up this idea. It is an innate idea. It is the kind of person everyone wishes they could be.