Hero

A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or fictional character who faces danger and fights against hard times using clever ideas, courage, or strength. In old stories called epics, heroes did brave things to gain glory and honor. But in more recent times, heroes do great and kind actions to help everyone, rather than just for fame or wealth. The opposite of a hero is called a villain.

Heroes appear in many stories and history books. In classical literature, they are the main characters in famous poems, often fighting in wars and following a code of honor that is not always perfect. The idea of a hero has changed over time. Today, a hero is someone we admire for doing brave or kind things. Heroes can be from myths, like Gilgamesh and Iphigenia, or from real life, such as Joan of Arc, Giuseppe Garibaldi, Sophie Scholl, Alvin York, Audie Murphy, and Chuck Yeager. They can also be made-up characters known as superheroes, like Superman, Batman, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman.

Etymology

The word hero comes from the Greek ἥρως (hērōs), meaning a hero, especially someone like Heracles who had divine ancestry or was later honored as a god. Before scholars could read ancient scripts called Linear B, people thought the original form of the word was different, but they later found it did not include a certain sound.

The idea behind the word hero is linked to protection. One theory says it comes from a root meaning "to protect," connecting it to ideas of safety and guarding. Another theory suggests the word has origins before the Indo-European languages, making it even more ancient. The female version, heroine, comes from a Latin word and was first used in English in 1587 to describe strong and powerful women from myths and legends.

Antiquity

See also: Greek hero cult

Classical heroes were warriors who lived for honor and glory. They were often very strong and skilled, like Achilles and Hector. These heroes fought in big battles and dangerous quests, showing great courage. They were sometimes seen as half-gods, with special powers given by the deities. Even though they were admired, these heroes often faced tragic fates, as their destinies were set by powerful forces they couldn't change. Their stories helped people learn about bravery and the importance of choices.

Myth and monomyth

The idea of a "Mythic Hero Archetype" was first introduced by Lord Raglan in his 1936 book, The Hero, A Study in Tradition, Myth and Drama. He described 22 common traits found in heroes across many cultures, myths, and religions. According to Raglan, the more of these traits a figure has, the more likely they are to be a mythical hero.

Joseph Campbell expanded on this idea in his 1949 book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces. He described a common pattern in hero stories called the monomyth or Hero's Journey. This journey has three main parts: Departure, Initiation, and Return. Along the way, the hero may receive a call to adventure, get help from a supernatural guide, face many challenges, and finally gain a deeper understanding about themselves. Campbell used stories like those of Krishna, Buddha, Apollonius of Tyana, and Jesus to show how this pattern appears in many different cultures. He also explored how some heroes combine both male and female qualities, making them balanced and complete characters.

Slavic fairy tales

Vladimir Propp studied Russian fairy tales and found that they usually have eight main characters, one of whom is the hero. His ideas are used to understand many different folktales. In these stories, the hero often goes on a journey, faces challenges from a donor, and sometimes marries a princess or a similar important character.

Propp also described two types of heroes: seekers and victim-heroes. Victim-heroes start their adventure because a villain causes trouble for them, like taking someone away. Seekers begin their journey because they want to find something they lack or because someone close to them has been taken. These tales usually focus on one type of hero, not both.

Historical studies

Further information: Philosophy of history and Great man theory

Philosophers like Hegel and Thomas Carlyle believed that heroes and great leaders shape history. They thought that important people, such as Napoleon, Oliver Cromwell, and Frederick the Great, had a big impact on the world. Some heroes were not just rulers but also thinkers, writers, and leaders in business, like captains of industry.

Later thinkers, such as Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer, argued that history is more about big social forces and changes over time, rather than just great individuals. Modern heroes like Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, and Mahatma Gandhi are remembered for their important roles in changing society. Today, some scholars are looking again at how heroes influence history using new ways of understanding the past.

Modern fiction

Further information: Vanity Fair (novel) and Superhero

In modern stories, the word "hero" can sometimes describe the main character or the person someone loves, even if they don’t seem super strong or perfect. For example, in the novel Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, the main character isn’t a typical hero. Another book, Vanity Fair, says it’s a “Novel without a Hero” because it shows a world where it’s hard to find truly good people.

Superheroes are very popular today, especially in comic books and fantasy stories. They often have amazing powers, like flying or being super strong, and they fight against bad guys called super villains. Famous superheroes include Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Spider-Man. These characters appear in many movies, toys, and video games that people enjoy around the world.

Psychology

Social psychology studies heroes and heroism. Researchers like Zeno Franco and Philip Zimbardo explore how people see heroes, noting that taking unnecessary risks is key to being called a hero.

Psychologists have found that heroes often show traits like bravery, honesty, and selflessness. They can inspire others and help protect people in need. Some think that heroic actions might be a way to show strength and kindness through evolution. Heroes also help us understand wisdom, morals, and protection in stories and real life.

Mental and physical integration

Author and endurance researcher C. McDougall studied resistance fighters on Crete during the Nazi occupation in WWII and linked their success to the heroes of Ancient Greek stories. He showed how physical training and mental conditioning can help people find hidden strength, endurance, and agility.

McDougall gave the example of Theseus, who, though weaker than the Minotaur, defeated it using pankration, an ancient martial art. Pankration means "total power and knowledge" and was used by gods and heroes who won by using all their skills.