What Is a Hero

WHAT MAKES A HERO The true definition of hero is a man of distinguished valor. Bravery, courage, intrepidity, boldness, daring, and prowess in war are a heroes characteristics. However a hero is understood to be different to everyone. To one person he may be the greatest being who ever lived, but to another he may just be a normal, average man. For example, a child who has lost his poor puppy may think of it’s rescuer as a savior. His hero could be none other than a mere gentlemen who saw the missing companion and returned it to the thankful boy. But, there are other qualities or tasks. A child at a baseball game witnessing his first home run may admire the player who hit it, and strive to be just like him. Someone to look up to. Another hero may even be from the past. Someone you know nothing about, except for what he has accomplished, his mark on the world. This hero is immortalized because of his great deeds. Another hero could even be someone you know everything about and love the greatest. A hero. Someone of admirable traits or qualities. All of us have a hero. To some, a hero might be their favorite actor or musician. To others, someone closer to home, like a father or uncle. But what is hero? It means different things to different people. Many find people of fame or importance their heroes. A patriotic American supporting the war in Iraq may think George Bush is a hero, while others believe he every decision he makes is wrong. On the flip side, Muslims may find Osama Bin Ladin hero for fighting for their for their religious beliefs, while some despise him for getting them involved in war. Actors are often portrayed as the heroes of many younger people. You may watch ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and find Johnny Depp your hero. Many people ignore the reality and praise actors for their fictional deeds. Fictional character have, too, sown their way into the hearts of people everywhere. Fictional characters are easy to respect, for they can never prove themselves wrong unless they are meant to within their stories. They do only as intended by their creators, and the creators includes heroic traits in these characters based upon their views on what hero is. In movies, they often become heroes based on appearance or strength, while in books they are valued for their heroic deeds, such as killing great beasts or surviving impossible feats against nature. In the media, what a hero is differs greatly. Lastly, we come to the heroes of myth and legend. They are admired for many of the same things found in media. Strength, impossible feats etc. In the story of Peach boy, an old Japanese legend, a boy born from a giant peach is found in the forest by an elderly couple and raised as a normal child. He ends up undertaking a great quest, in which he sails the a far off island and kills the trouble making demon that resides there. He returns home with the treasure the demon had stolen and lives happily ever after. Not all heroes, however, live “happily ever after”. In the story of Jason and the Argonauts, Jason takes on a perilous quest in order to regain his country. Along the way, he conquers many dangers, and marries a witch named Media. He ends up being banished from his kingdom and throne by those who feared his wife. He lived a weary life as a trouble man, and ends up being killed when a part of his ship, that had rotted through the ages, falls and kills him. Either way, they are admired for their heroic deeds. In conclusion, heroes are seen everywhere, and are kept in the hearts of those who admire them. Whether the heroes ends justify his means, that is left up to those who hear of their tales. A hero differs greatly to many people, and it has always been that way. Admire them for their traits and model yourself after them and you may become someone’s hero one day as well.