Hero, the word strikes a universal chord making us think of exceptional and spectacular stories or deeds that far surpass any common feat. To the Greeks and many other cultures, the birth of these heroes is important. The birth of a hero sets them, apart often even before birth, from common mortals in Greek mythology. Birth is the first of many major events in our lives, our entrance into the world (Leeming). For heroes, that entrance must be as special as their lives will prove to be. A mundane birth is simply not an option for a hero, whether by the machinations of the gods or prophecies from an oracle, even the events surrounding their conception must be spectacular. From Perseus and Danaë to Theseus and Aethra, the myths surrounding their births have different settings and details but many common threads that bind them together (Leeming). Aethra, daughter to Pittheus king of Troezen, and wedded to Bellerophon before he was exiled to Caria in disgrace bore Theseus (Leeming). Aethra and Bellerophon did not consummate their wedding vows before his exile (Leeming). Pittheus, saddened by his daughters enforced innocence, gave his daughter to Aegeus king of Athens for the night when Aegeus visited with them after consulting the Delphic Oracle (Willis). Awoken by a dream sent from Athena, Aethra swam the short distance to the island of Sphaeria where she lay with Poseidon before returning to her bed (Leeming). Upon awakening in the morning, Aegeus told Aethra that if she were carrying his child she must raise it in secret in Troezen, telling no one who fathered the babe (Morford, Lenardon and Sham). If it was revealed Aegeus fathered the child it would risk murder by his brother, who wanted the throne (Leeming). Aegeus hid... ... middle of paper ... ...ry man be a hero but creates an ideal to strive towards. Heroes owe part of their greatness to their parentage and every part of their lives, including their birth, supported the quality of their characters and who they became. They carried traditions, conquered new lands, saved cities and brought change. The story of a hero begins with his birth and ends in a world vastly different than what came before him. Works Cited Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. Boston: Back Bay Books, 1998. Leeming, David Adams. Mythology The Voyage of the Hero. New York: Harper Collins, 1981. McLeish, Kenneth. "Heracles." Bloomsbury Dictionary of Myth. London: Bloomsbury Ltd., 2002. Morford, Mark P.O., Robert J. Lenardon and Michael Sham. Classical Mythology 9th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Willis, Roy. World Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
What is a hero? The book Mythology by Edith Hamilton has a lot of heroes and most of them have 2 things in common. The heroes are in their own ways superior whether it be strength, intelligence, and/or courage. The second thing they have in common is a quest that establishes their greatness and proving that they are good enough to be called heroes. The catch is that even though they may have the characteristics of a hero, not all of them are epic heroes.
As the story comes to its conclusion, the hero has endured his hardships; he went from the one that started fights to the one that thought of what could make everything work. An ordinary person in an ordinary world faced his share of trials and tribulations to come out as a new person. Defining the hero myth—he struggled and still was able to triumph to his prize at the end ; individuals relish these type of stories, they can
Harris, Stephen L., and Gloria Platzner. Classical Mythology: Images and Insights. 2nd ed. Mountain View: Mayfield, 1995
Heroes. Everyone wants to be a hero, but sometimes, people lose sight of what a true hero really is. It does not have to be someone who flies around and saves innocent people from perilous monsters. A hero is simply someone that inspires others. In Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Junior was a hero because he rose above the expectations the world placed on him through his courage, passionate determination, and sympathetic perception.
...pecial talents. After he survives and achieves the boon, the hero might return to his ordinary world with this boon or he might choose not return. Eventually, the hero achieves the boon that he uses to improve the world. Actually, heroes’ stories exhibit a wonderful reflection of different stages in our lives that teach us a powerful and a life-changing lesson. Furthermore, these stories might turn out to be a great tool that helps us on our own journeys.
Morford, Mark P.O., Robert J. Lenardon and Michael Sham. Classical Mythology 9th Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011.
7. Osborn, Kevin, and Dana Burgess. The complete idiot's guide to classical mythology. New York, NY: Alpha Books, 1998.
Morford, Mark P.O., and Robert J. Lenardon. Classical Mythology. '7th ed'. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
The word hero as defined as an “individual who has the courage of conviction to perform feats that benefit the general populace, acts as a soldier of virtue, and has an altruistic spirit that urges him or her to act against evil and defend the greater good at all costs, even sacrificing his own well-being or life.” (Harrison 2). Although heroes can come in any shape and size they are commonly found in stories we read, movies we watch, or people we look up to. We do not think about it much but even our own life is made up of many hero’s journeys. We never realize that our hardships and how we overcome them is exactly what a Hero’s Journey is about and why we relate to and enjoy these stories so much. I will be going into the depths of a Hero’s
Grant, Michael, and John Hazel. "Athena." Gods and Mortals in Classical Mythology. Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam, 1973. Print.
Rosenburg, Donna. World Mythology: An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics. Third Edition. Chicago: NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group, Inc., 1999. Text.
Powell, Barry. Classical Myth; Third Edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. pp. 33–34. 2001. Print.
Leick, Gwendolyn. A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology. London: Routledge, 1991. Print Page 61
There is another type of hero that almost no one is aware of. In the poorest areas of the country, live mostly minorities and other ethic background. All their lives they’ve been expected to work harder and expected not succeed in life. Some individuals living in poverty with a determination to succeed work hard all of their lives to become what everybody doubted they could. Escaping the crime, drugs, and prostitution is enough to escape hell, even if they don’t go to college. Despite of their financial problems, drug and crime surroundings, or difficulties in the language skills, their desire to triumph fuels their persistence. Those who make it to success are the few living examples of the purest form of hero anyone can be. They are not only their own heroes but also the heroes of the poor children who dream of becoming like them someday.
Heroes can be can be anyone; they can be everywhere. But every society needs heroes (The Making of a Hero). Surprisingly every society has one; we just don't see them because we don't bother to open our eyes. But if you open them you shall see, they can be anyone, and that's why you must look carefully.