A hero is a person that has acquired admiration from others for their dignified qualities. Heroes can be found everywhere, but there is one particular hero from the book Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease that looms in the crowd. The story is told from the perspective of a 14-year old boy from Cumberland named Peter Brownrigg. As Peter wanders through sixteenth century England, we quickly discover that he is a hero. His actions of bravery, determination, and intelligence throughout the novel clearly demonstrate this matter.
Peter’s heroism is exemplified through his brave deeds. In his pursuit to save the Queen, he overcomes his fears and demonstrates his bravery. For example, Peter retrieves the play from the yellow gentleman’s house
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by driving daggers into the side of the house and climbing up.
He explains that “each time [he] put [his] weight on a fresh dagger, [his] heart went into [his] mouth and [he] nerved [himself] for the splash below.” (132) From this, we can evidently understand that he is afraid of falling into the water below. However, he urges himself to continue, for the play was far more important than a meaningless fear. He could have also been caught as he is going up the house or when he enters through the window, considering he does not know what to expect. Additionally, he could have simply gone to Shakespeare and told him what had happened, but he decides to fix the problem he created himself. Peter puts his life in jeopardy, thus justifying his bravery and being reason for him saving the Queen. An example is when he and Tom Boyd come back to Cumberland to spy on the peel tower, and Tom sneaks inside to get a closer look. Tom had not come out after some time, after which Peter makes the decision to go in and find him. This is despite the fact that “Tom had once told [them] that, if anything happened to him, [they] were to go to the nearest …show more content…
sheriff or magistrate, and get him to send word, by official courier, to Robert Cecil. But the present business might be so urgent that this would not be sufficient.” (180) Peter knew nothing of what he was getting himself into, but since Tom did not come out, he knew that it could possibly be quite dangerous. Nobody tells him to go inside; he makes the risky decision himself. As well, Peter is still young, and he makes a risky choice, even though most people would go get help. These elements are justification that Peter demonstrates bravery Peter’s determination offers a strong indication that he is a hero. He shows his determination when he saves the Queen. For example, he makes the exhausting swim back to Cumberland from the island. While in the water, he thinks to himself, “I mustn’t give up...If I gave up now, and let myself slip down into the sweet peace of green water, the Queen would be murdered and the kingdom thrown into anarchy.” (201-202) Even though Peter can swim, the water is deep, he lacks sleep, he is hungry, and he is still wounded from falling in the peel tower. With these aspects, there is a possibility that he can drown. As Peter said, he could have just let himself die and be put out of his misery, but he keeps going because he has information that could determine the fate of England. Likewise, Sir Philip Morton’s men would have been searching for him, as they would not have found him on the island, so he is compelled to swim with haste. Peter shows he is determined as he strives to save the Queen. As an example, he and Kit make the journey to London to warn the Queen of her attack after they discover that the magistrate was one of the conspirators. He knows the information must be delivered, so he says to Kit, “We must depend on ourselves alone...We’d better ride to London and tell Sir Robert the news ourselves.” (234) Peter is already awfully tired from his journey from the island to Cumberland, and he is making the decision to keep going. If he did not, then the Queen would be murdered. Peter could have also gone to ask someone else for help, but he was decisive to do it himself. Therefore, Peter’s determination make him a hero. Throughout the book, Peter’s intelligence is explicitly revealed.
This is proven when he discovers the information regarding the conspiracy against the Queen, and uses it to save her. For example, Peter was one to decipher the clue of the sonnet and suggest that the conspirators were going to meet in the peel tower. He said, ”’Mightn’t it be one of the peels in Cumberland - maybe Sir Philip Morton’s?’” (153) This shows Peter’s intelligence because, if he had not suggested it, they would not have known the plans of Sir Philip Morton and the other men, and the Queen would have been dead. Not only that, but there were several other adults in the room with the same information, yet he was the one to put the pieces together and figure it out. Furthermore, Peter and the other men in the room were all part of the Secret Services, and he was the only one of them to use his wits and think back to the peel in Cumberland. Peter’s quick wit provides explanation as to how he was able to keep the Queen alive. For example, he escapes from the ropes that Sir Duncan binds him with. He “dashed the bottle against the stone...bent forward and searched the grass for a suitable fragment” (196) to “saw at the cord round [his] ankles.” (197) This shows true intelligence for he has to think of it on the spot, and is a plan that he actually manages to carry out. There is also additional stress and pressure since Duncan could have came and seen him at any moment. Undoubtedly, Peter is a very
intelligent young man. As Peter conquers feats and faces challenges throughout the novel, it is evident that he is a hero. He authentically displays qualities of bravery, determination, and intelligence. This was not destiny; he earned his reputation of being a hero. Heroism is not a gift that is simply given. Although at times mistaken for authority and inheritance, it is truly our actions that define us as heroes.
Peter the Great was trying ultimately to make the Russian Empire more Europeanized or Westernized. He wanted to protect and enhance the vulnerable Russian Empire. Peter the Great saw that other European countries are colonizing in other regions like the New World, Asia, and Africa. Peter saw this as a threat and didn’t want for the Europeans to conquer Russia. Through decrees to shave and provisions on dress, he was trying to make them European. He also wanted to make military and economic reforms that could help the empire itself. If they built factories, they didn’t need to get supplies from Europe.
“You know that awful feeling when your heart seems to jump, and stop — as though it were hanging in the air midway between its proper place and the ceiling? That’s how I felt” (Trease .65). Meet Peter Brownrigg, due to his unjust act he has been forced to leave his hometown. He is facing obstacles for his new journey which reveal character traits of Peter Brownrigg in the book Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease. Peter Brownrigg is a fourteen-year-old who lives in Cumberland, he is the novel’s narrator as well as the protagonist. Since Peter can handle his own complication matters with bravery, he will do anything to keep the people he cares most about safe. He is not a person who will give up, he will fight for the things that are right. This
Who is your hero? Many of us can clearly picture our idea of our personal hero in our head, but is the person you consider to be a hero really a hero by definition? In Heroism: Why Heroes are Important, Scott LaBarge, a Classics and Philosophy Professor at Santa Clara University, awakens your thoughts on the word heroism and how it has changed since its origins in ancient Greece. Throughout his essay, he goes in depth into the term ‘hero’ and compares it to society’s take on heroes today. Although LaBarge uses examples to back up his stance that “Today, it is much harder to detach the concept of heroism from morality (LaBarge. 1),” his essay contains flaws and he contradicts his own words.
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Being a hero doesn’t mean you are invincible. It just means you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed. In the historical fiction novel, “Crispin: The Cross of Lead” by Avi, 13 year old Crispin, who is now an orphan after the death of his mother, is forced to flee his village after being accused of stealing and is to be killed. He comes across a man who helps him along his quest and faces many overwhelming challenges.
Everyone has their own perception on what defines a hero; some may argue that they exhibit characteristics such as honesty or courage, while others may think that heroes have special power. Our society may have changed the values in which we associate heroes with, but one thing seems to have never changed: the main character of the book turns out as the hero. In my analyst, Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in The Catcher in the Rye, is put on trial as we see through our own eyes how Caulfield can not be considered a hero in modern society.
Who is a hero? In contemporary times, usage of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term “hero” has become representative of a wide variety of individuals, each possessing differing traits. Some of the answers put forth by my colleagues (during our in-class discussion on heroism) as to whom they consider heroes pointed to celebrities, athletes, teachers and family members. Although the occupations differed, each of their heroes bore qualities that my classmates perceived as extraordinary, whether morally or physically. Nonetheless, Webster’s defines “hero” as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” Thus, it is worth considering that individuals become heroes relative to the situation with which they’re faced.
Nisbet, Bain, R. "Peter the Great." Cambridge Modern History. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2014. .
Heroes are found everywhere in the world. They are seen in movies, on television, in books, and in reality. A hero can be anyone, from a friend to a fictional character. To be considered a hero, one must make selfless sacrifices, develop and learn, overcome challenges and temptations, and ultimately present their known world with a gift of any kind. Homer’s
Even in death, Peter cannot escape ridicule. At a time when everyone is supposed to celebrate his life and mourn his death, they are still mocking Peter. He is still the punch line to cruel jokes. At one point, a funeral attendee speculates that the reason the casket is closed is because “he was in there in a big wig and heels” (Doty 11/12). Peter was being judged at his own funeral. That is pathetic. No one should have to endure that, but Peter did. This poor individual was told that he “asked for it” (Doty 16). “It” is referring to death. He was just...
According to google.com a hero is someone who “is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievments, or noble equalities.” (google.com). For example, superman , superman is an all time american classic modern hero who is admired for his courage and for saving earth multiple times from super villains. Another example of a hero is Beowulf. Beowulf was created around 1000 AD and was known far and wide throughout the lands for his selflessness,bravery, and courage .
In the novel Peter risks his life for others. He does this when he searches for Tom Boyd, “’I ran up the stone steps’” (Trease 180). Peter Brownrigg is a courageous person because he risked his life to save Tom Boyd. Furthermore Peter shows that he is a courageous person. Another reason why Peter is a courageous
A hero is a man who is distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility. and strength to carry out tasks that involve great risks. A hero can also be a person who fights for other people to help or save them. from their fears and fears. He opposes the villain - a person who does wicked or intentionally harm others in some way, emotionally or otherwise.
A hero is considered to be any man noted for courage or nobility of Purpose; especially, one who has risked or sacrificed his life. In Ken Kesey's novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the reader can see how McMurphy is a prime example of a hero. McMurphy's strength embodies a heroic devotion to the other acutes on the ward.
A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes and are categorized in so many different ways. Many people today consider heroes to be brave and courageous. Adam Brown is the main hero in this story, but if it was not for his wife, family, and friends he would not have been the hero that he was today.
Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., et al. A Brief History of Heroes. 2004. Glencoe Literature. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009. 69-72. Print.