What is a hero? What does it mean to be a hero? What is an epic hero?
In my opinion, a hero is someone is strong, smart, and someone you can look up to, count on for anything, and will protect you along the way from bad things happening in your life . When I think of epic heroes, I think of fairy tales, and how the hero is always the warrior or the knight in shining armor. In the story Beowulf, Beowulf is the warrior and therefore, the hero because he's fighting against an enemy (Grendel) who is causing harm to many people. In most stories the epic hero triumphs the villain by defeating them in a certain way. Beowulf defeats Grendel and brings peace back to the Danes. Beowulf is an example of an epic hero. In American history there were many heroes who fought for what they believed in. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for Civil Rights to defeat the enemy of prejudiced views on minority groups. Some modern day examples of epic heroism include volunteer firefighters, religious leaders, and the U.S. military who risk their lives in order to help us,.while teachers and school officials are just regular heroes who put their jobs and reputations on the line in order to help someone. All in all, I think an epic hero has more serious responsibility than a regular hero.
I agree with your analysis that an epic hero has more responsibilities than an ordinary hero, though I believe that you don't necessarily have to be an epic hero to have great accomplishments. Overall, I believe your analysis is an interesting view on what it is to be a hero.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that a hero is someone who is helping those less fortunate, and those who arent as able to help themselves. I didnt really agree with your last line though, because it seems all epic heroes need to do is kill the bad guy. Sometimes, it seems, normal heroes have much more complicated objectives than that.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that I am an epic hero, not just a hero..maybe I don't have rippling muscles and strength that we apparently associate with Beowulf..and maybe I don't jump into burning buildings but I do think I'm a daily crime fighter (Hey, plagiarism is just not okay!)... just saying Katie ;)
ReplyDeleteI must agree. The idea of Beowulf seems like a fantasy(which, technically, it is). However, like we have learned in class, a hero is whoever you want it to be. Yes, it could be the ultra-macho, white, Schwarzenegger built, Fabio-haired, mindless grunt with a sword. Or it could be, which almost all heroes are, a weak, morally and physical, different and, most likely, just the wrong man in the wrong place, at the wrong time. I also agree with Mrs. A, there are heroes right in front of us, we are just to young to care.
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