Essay On Qualities Of A Hero

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What is a hero? The defining characteristics of a hero have changed over time. We can trace heroes all the way back to Ancient Greek mythology. Today, our definition of a hero is much more lax. We use the term hero to describe everyone from civil rights leaders to Instagram-famous celebrities. A hero used to be one who had to endure painful struggle and prove himself and his beliefs to society. Is a hero equivalent to a celebrity now? A quick Google search for “American hero” will lead you to names like Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean King, ahead of any political or civil rights leaders. What does this say about our society? What qualities does a “hero” have to possess in modern America? In this essay, we will explore the timeline of the word …show more content…

Our English word “hero” can be traced back to the greek word ἥρως or hērōs translating literally to “protector.” Hera and the Greek Gods lived somewhere during 1450-1100BCE, which was considered the Heroic Age in Ancient Greek history. During the Heroic Age, Zeus, King of the Gods, created a race six generations long of noble and powerful men, mortal but god-like. During this period lived legends: the strongest man alive, Hercules, the most skilled warrior, Achilles, and the most cunning man, …show more content…

In off-seasons, he pursued a Master’s degree in history, competed in Ironman triathlons, volunteered with Boys and Girls Clubs, The March for Dimes, and read and talked to students across Arizona. He was quickly becoming a sports superstar before the day that changed America forever. On September 12, star safety for the Arizona Cardinals announced in an interview that he would enlist in the US military to fight for his country, turning down a $3.6 million extension contract. During his service in Afghanistan and Iraq, Tillman developed deep and complex anti-war views. Despite the Army’s hush-hush policy, Tillman and his brother continued to voice their opinions calling the Iraq invasion “all bullshit.” After two years of service, Tillman was shot and killed due to friendly fire. His legacy survives today as a brave American hero who was willing to sacrifice everything for his

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