What is a Hero?

Mythology
Maynard

Hero, in the original Greek sense, means a demigod—the offspring of a god and a mortal. But in
a broader sense, a hero is one who stands out from ordinary individuals as one who embodies the
values or ideals of a particular culture. Because values or ideals change according to place and
time, the qualities of a hero also change. Thus what is admired and imitated in one age or place
may be considered unimportant or even looked down upon in another era or locale.

Greek heroes, coming from a warrior culture, possess strength and courage. Although larger
than life, in the sense that they are often half-gods, they are not immortal. But through their
superhuman deeds and sufferings here on earth, they achieve a type of immortality.

Using English and world literature through the ages as examples, one can understand the
changing concept of the hero.

Old English Period—As with Greek culture, this period honors the warrior hero. Beowulf, from
the Old English epic of that name, embodies qualities the Anglo-Saxons held in high esteem:
courage, loyalty to a king and fellow warrior, ability to perform superhuman deeds.

Medieval Period—King Arthur or one of his knights embodies the ideals of this age: courage,
loyalty to God and king, chivalrous behavior toward women and the helpless.

Renaissance Period—A courtier whose versatility leads him to excel in art, literature, diplomacy,
warfare, and everything else, is hero of this period. Leonardo da Vinci is an example of this
“universal human.”

Romantic Period—Lord Byron himself is the paradigm for the Byronic hero, a moody,
mysterious, social outcast, yet one who possesses courage and a fascination for others.

American literature offers a briefer span of time to study. The early American hero, a pioneer
like Daniel Boone perhaps, shows the values of a new country: courage, desire to enter into the
unknown, willingness to endure hardships, and a need to be independent.

Humanism, nationalism, and individual or family pride are three suggested reasons for the
creation of hero myths. Humanism speaks of people as the center of all things, of the entire
universe. Nationalism believes that a particular nation or culture is the best. Finally, an
individual may proudly believe that he or his family embodies all the qualities of a hero. So,
hero myths may exalt the individual, the nation, and the entire human race.