GEC 300 – LIFE AND WORKS OF RIZAL

LESSON 1: WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF A HERO

AUGUST 17, 2022

I. CONCEPT OF A HERO V. CONCEPT OF A HERO - RIZAL

The concepts of “hero” and “heroism” seem to have existed in
all cultures on earth, in many forms and varieties
The word itself has probably appeared first in ancient Greece,
where it was combined in the name of one of the greatest
heroes of all times: Heracles.
1. Performed outstanding deeds - used the pen to fight
2. Risked his very being for the sake of his countrymen
- he waged a non-violent crusade against the
oppressors of his countrymen
3. He is a victim - suffered political martyrdom

II. CONCEPT OF A HERO – ANCIENT GREECE
According to Robert Graves (an authority on Greek culture)
- the name Hero is derived from that of the great
goddess Hera so Hero means “Hera’s Glory.”
- Heracles, then, lived, acted and died in the name and
for the glory of that goddess.
WAS RIZAL AN AMERICAN SPONSORED HERO?
 The Spaniards, the Filipinos and the Americans raised
Rizal to the rank of supremacy among our heroes.
 Thus Rizal’s life, works and martyrdom raised him to
the highest place in the pantheon of our revolutionary
heroes

 One of the most famous Greek heroes was
the Athenian Theseus, who sailed from his city to
Crete to fight against the Minotaur and save his
young countrymen and women, who were supposed
to be sacrificed to a monster.
 His supremacy was acknowledge by his
contemporaries (Aguinaldo, Bonifacio, etc.)
- Spanish writers acknowledge his fame
- American colonial legislators who came to admire our
people through his history acknowledge him as well.

in a book Graves describes important feature of life of a hero
 dies not just to glorify his Mother goddess but to save
his people — the tribe of which he is chief — from all
their yearly sins and all possible punishments.
III. CONCEPT OF A HERO - JAPAN
 It is simply not true that there was ever any
colonialists’ meeting or plot to impose Rizal as the
National Hero of the Philippines.
 The decision to honor him in this way was made by
the Filipinos, for the Filipinos.

Japanese Yamato Take, who was the son of a king was

accredited with slaying a dangerous serpent of Omi (Similar
deeds were performed by Heracles).

IV. CONCEPT OF A HERO - CHRISTIANS

Jesus’ heroism was not apparent in his physical powers but in

doing miracles.
 His death in agony on the cross presents him as a
classic hero.
 Jesus was a classic victim - like Heracles, he went up
after his death to heaven, to become a proper deity.

The Hero then possessed the three main characteristics of

heroism:
1. they performed outstanding deeds
2. They risked their very being for the sake of others
rather than for their own glory
3. They were all victims