• What defines a hero in modern society?
A hero is someone who can portray courage when faced with a particular problem, able to assist others in certain ways and give them strength when faced with life's difficulties. In modern society, it is difficult to identify someone another individual can look up to as a hero. It takes a special person and quality to for others to follow and look up to without worrying that they can be led astray. A hero is someone who is able and willing to fight for everyone's freedom and to lay his life down for others (Kazin, 2013).
• In what way is the hero portrayed in film and literature and how does that compare to real stories of heroism?
Classical mythology signifies the religion, the culture and the beliefs of the
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society. The belief seems to be extremely remote from our modern era although it is still applicable in the contemporary times. In fact, film and literature stories of today are an update of tales and myths of ancient mythology (Phoenix, 2008). The lazy and unattractive-looking man shows a myth that depicts how it affects our contemporary lives.
He faces an obstacle that needs to be overcome, meets his helpers that lead to marriage, and he finally receives his reward. This motifs or patterns are the same are the same that modern heroes follow, which shows that the mythology is the foundation of every modern heroic story (Stuller, 2010).
• Does the trickster figure play a role in modern mythology?
A trickster is a clever, mischievous creature or person who achieves his or her goals through trickery. They could be weak individuals who use a trick to survive in a dangerous. The lazy and unattractive looking man used trickery by appearing to the maiden's home while they were eating so that the shy girls could not hide (Phoenix, 2008).
He eventually married the beautiful young lady by using a hair string. Trickster figure is essential in modern mythology since it shows how individuals tend to survive in cases in which they have some weak characters or are looked upon by the society, but they later prosper in living and regarded as heroes (Stuller, 2010).
• In what way are the hero and, possibly the trickster, integral to
society? The hero and trickster play acentral part in the society. The stories and tales teach the community how to avoid evil since the hero often face a lot of temptations nut can overcome. In a modern society, social responsibility and goodness could be guaranteed only through hero and trickster who portray the society as good and the need for social responsibility(Kazin, 2013). The people can make reference to the marks left by the hero which can change someone's life. An example is the lazy and unattractive-looking man whose advice led to the chief's son marrying the older beautiful lady and they later learn together several things before eventually leading together after the demise of the king (Phoenix, 2008). • Can service individuals be considered heroic? If so, how do they equate to the myths from the cultures that we have covered in the course? Service individuals are considered heroic in their endeavours. They face the problems that heroes face in their lives which they need to overcome with the help of a person with a greater power to achieve his quest. Many ancient heroes often marry with their helpers or someone they assist such as the lazy and unreactive man who married the beautiful lady (Stuller, 2010). Service individuals receive awards at the end of their journey. Some are given physical rewards for doing a fantastic job while others are recognised in the society as heroic and respected. They tend to carry the day by devoting their time to serving their society and therefore, noble. Thus, service individuals are heroic at their respective areas (Kazin, 2013).
In “Creating the Myth,” Linda Seger outlines the essential aspects that make up the hero myth, and why movies that follow this outline are generally successful. In her analysis, she begins with the idea that every hero myth revolves around a hero who is called upon to accomplish a feat that nobody else in the story is able to do. The hero’s journey begins with an unlikely person being called upon to serve a purpose greater than themselves. Along their journey, the hero is influenced by several archetypical characters that either help the hero, or try to deter the hero from accomplishing their task. The hero’s journey ends when they have accomplished their task, and in doing so, become a greater person than what they were in the beginning. A film that found tremendous success by following this outline was “Kung Fu Panda.”
Humanity has created this “universal story” of what a hero is, or at least the myth of it, time and again. Different tasks and encounters with a variety of villains all lead the hero to the prize, to a new life (Seger). This person deemed the hero is as ordinary as the next but what makes them different is the drastic test that they must face. Individuals admire this character because the hero stands for something, something bigger than themselves. Whether it be the compassionate act of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games or the death of the oldest brother in Brother Bear, as an outsider, an individual sees the human side of these heroes and relates. Connor Lassiter from Unwind by Neal Shusterman is an ideal example of the myth due to the
Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as any man admired for his courage, qualities or exploits, especially in war. Some people attribute the term hero mostly to war. My personal definition of a hero is someone who takes a stand against evil or an unjust cause. The term hero can be applied to anyone, it isn’t necessary to save the world from explosion to be a hero. The act of standing up for a friend can also be called a heroic act.
The Iliad, the Odyssey, Beowulf, and Hamlet are classical stories that are still relatable and debatable to read and discuss. Though some of the stories are intertwined or continue off one another, the character and stories are distinctive. The stories contain different hero development and progression among them. All the stories contain an idea or concept of a hero that may not necessarily have to do with gaining power or control like modern superheroes. Power and control are referred to having to be the ruler and having the ability to do what you'd like. The modern heroes selflessness of a human on duty or even volunteering, and that person’s willingness to put their own lives on the line for the lives of absolute strangers, is specifically the quality that redefines the modern hero and separates them from heroes in the past.
A hero is defined as "someone admired for his bravery, great deeds or noble qualities". There are three categories to which all heroes can be classified into, one of which is the anti-hero genre.
What is a hero? A hero can be classified as a number of things. A hero can be a person who in the opinions of others has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Ervin Staub, a holocaust survivor from Hungary and as scholar on altruistic behavior, has written, "Goodness like evil often begins in small steps. Heroes evolve; they aren't born. Very often the rescuers make only a small commitment at the start, to hide someone for a day or two. But once they had taken that step, they begin to see themselves differently, as someone who helps. What starts as mere willingness becomes intense involvement." The business man, Oskar Schindler, demonstrated a powerful example
In the genre of western films, the hero plays a key role. Humanity portrays civilization overcoming the hostile country (Miller 66). In many films the American civil war is over, and people have turned their attention to more constructive pursuits. Battling nature to progress America's future, rather than each other. In between this wild country, fraught with danger and corruption lies the role of the hero. A hero is an individual with exceptional skills and through his abilities is able to rid a stricken town of the corrupt elements within. In many cases however, the hero's skills are not enough. His relationship with the community can define how successful his help can be.
According to Linda Seger all myths, in all cultures are much the same. In these myths it is just the time, place and setting that changes. This is why Hollywood is so successful at making good movies, because they base it off these myths. The most popular myth is that of the hero, because for most of us this is what we want to be. With this myth we can live that experience through these characters. In the creation of a hero there are ten stages, using the Matrix as an example we will look at these ten stages.
A trickster is someone who disobeys normal rules or just plays around with people and their heads, for their own amusement. Tricksters can be found in movies, TV Shows, stories, and anyone around you could even be a trickster. A trickster always comes in handy to make tension go away or to generally entertain.
Loki is seen as such a big threat that he is locked in a cell, meant to confine the Hulk, and yet as the trickster always does he eventually gets out of his confinement. His overconfident and unworried attitude alone seems to be taunting the heroes. He knows how to get under peoples skins with/without words and by simple behavior. The power of presence and behavior under even less than favorable condition is really powerful and helps Loki disturb the team. The trickster even fooled the avenger into thinking they had fooled him. He pretends to fall for Black Widows trick and “accidently” reveals his plot to use the Hulks rampage to destroy the place, allowing him to go free. Loki’s true plan is to pit the Avengers against the Hulk and have the controlled Hawkeye come to his aid and distract the avengers. The Hulk does end up rampaging, as Loki planned, and even revealing his plot didn’t stop it from happening. It doesn’t just show how calculating Loki is but how understanding the other characters allow him to use them to his advantages. A common theme of trickster stories is their ability to escape situations using wit and cunningness. Loki is freed and uses his power of illusion to trick Thor into entering the cell, thereby trapping him inside. With tricksters it is never as easy as “seeing is believing”, especially with Loki who is an expert sorcerer with the power of illusions and shapeshifting. The trickster teaches us to always stay one step ahead and not to relax our guard, even when we think things are going our way, but to stay on alert because you never know when someone might gain the upper hand. Loki’s action also brings some good as he unties the avengers, who had previously done nothing but argue and fight amongst themselves. When he “kills” Phil Coulson it motivates the Avengers to work
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
The importance of tricksters in mythology can be seen in their actions and how they relate to the human race. Tricksters are complex beings, and are direct representations of the human race. They define rules and ways to act, but they also test those rules and boundaries that are set in society. Commonly, tricksters are thought of as laughable figures that cause mischief, but each trickster also has a dark side and thinks selfishly. These dark sides are key elements to the foundations of societies and cultures because the selfish actions that tricksters take ultimately teach what humankind is capable of while simultaneously creating and changing culture.
From the beginning of time, mythology has appeared to be one key method of understanding life’s confusions and battles. Within these myths lies a hero. From myth to myth and story to story, heroes experience what may be called a struggle or a journey, which lays down their plot line. Bearing tremendous strength, talent, and significant admiration, a hero holds what is precious to their audience, heroism. Over time however, no matter the hero, the hero’s role remains indistinguishable and identical to the position of every other hero.
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.
They often appear as pranksters or mischief-makers. This behavior is often combined with the "culture hero" concept; for example, In several cultures, (as may be seen in Greek, Norse, or Slavic folktales, along with Native American/First Nations lore).