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Recommended: The meaning of the hero
Heroism can be defined differently to each person. The acts of of a defined ‘hero’ serve to help and make an impact on a life. The qualities show bravery and courage, whether they are defending our country or just simply lending a helping hand. A hero isn’t negative, nor a coward. A hero is there to help a person, or persons, and defend what is right. The meaning of a hero varies to each person, they make positive influences on the lives of other people with their heroic qualities. When a person thinks about the one term “hero”, several thoughts may come to the mind. Thoughts such as intelligence, being handsome, and being daring. For a child, they might be thinking about the cartoon or Marvel superheroes. For an elderly person, they may …show more content…
A hero could save one or thousands of people. Children are immensely interested with the fact of the fantasy superheroes. They might be so interested because of the adventures and tasks they take on. At the young age, media has come up with new heroes that the children can look up to. Whether they are taking journeys across the world or rescuing animals. A hero could be a real-life human or a fantasy figure. Doctors, nurses, firefighters, and policemen are ideal heroes to some. For their bravery and courage in their career. But to some, policemen are seen the opposite. With recent incidents in the past, policemen can be feared for their violent acts to civil people. Every person has a different look on their idea of a …show more content…
They do something for a moral cause, for people in need. They expect nothing in return, such as a reward. The simple gratitude to helping is the reward they get. The personal risks and tasks they take on and encounter can be dangerous but life-saving. The definition of heroism and altruism can be considered differently in a contrast. The definition of ‘altruism’ is “feelings and behavior that show a desire to help other people and a lack of selfishness”, whereas ‘heroism’ is “great courage”, defined by Merriam-Webster. Where a hero has the great courage to “save the day”, altruism is the compassion of helping others. Although there are heroes who are unselfish, there can be some who do it for the fame. There are different qualities when it comes to realizing what a hero truly is. Any person who changes a life in a positive way can be a hero. They don’t have to be recognized across the globe to be considered one. Also, not having super powers and abnormal strengths doesn’t define a hero. Being courageous and having a positive influence on the life of one person or of millions is a characteristic that all heroes should have. Every person has a hero, and it is okay that every individual looks at them in their own different way. Whether it is a war hero or just someone who encourages you, it is great to have a person who inspires you to be a better
Although not every hero shouts “Avengers Assemble” before a worthy deed, heroism is shown in all aspects of the everyday world. Webster Dictionary has exactly 5 definitions under the word hero and still no two people explain heroism the same. Superman and Captain America are a glimpse of the fictional characters society titles a hero. Firefighters and Military portray heroism each day in the lives of every civilian. As Sullivan and Venter stated “individuals are referred to as ‘heroes’ for seemingly different reasons” and even through endless studies the adjectives referring heroes is ever changing. Among the various ideas of what it means to be a hero, boldness and valiance capture the essence of heroism.
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.
Recently, students of Olympian High School have stumbled upon the question, "What is a hero?" In the school's 2013 Young Minds Essay Contest, students are expected to consider universal concerns and ideas. Many times when people think of a hero, they think of Superman, Batman, and many other Marvel characters who display unattainable superpowers. However, heroes are prevalent throughout the world. A hero can be anyone who has the desire to help others, brave in dangerous situations, and does not look at exterior gain from helping others.
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.
Heroism entails several things; a selfless act, courage, or the accomplishments of bold and daring expeditions. A hero can also mean courage in the face of death. Others may view this type of hero as stupid, or a martyr. Every hero has faults and these faults along with heroic deeds make the man or woman; a hero, heroine.
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
Over the course of history the definition of what makes a hero has made many changes. Beowulf, Superman, and firefighters are all examples of heroes, but they are very different when broken down. Today’s society defines a hero by his values, his strength, and his journey.
Who would imagine, George C. Wallace an American hero. Strong, courageous, noble and thoughtful are a few words used to describe a hero. Merriam-Webster (2014) dictionary defines a hero as a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities. Among several historical and controversial leaders, George Wallace and Gilgamesh are considered great heroes. However through their individual journeys they both learned how to humble themselves for the greater good of their society.
Three components that describe what heroism is not would be unforgiving, selfish, and ungrateful. These components are opposites to my views on what heroism looks like. When someone has the courage to apologize and admit they were wrong, a hero would respect this. However, someone who did not possess the qualities of a heroism would take this as a form of cowardice, and be unforgiving while refusing to accept the apology. Another component of what a hero is not would be someone who is selfish. The reason behind this logic is that heroism, no matter who is viewing it, would agree that it is about putting others before yourself. This is important because it is a cycle that leads to care for everyone. By looking over someone other than yourself, someone would be looking over you as well. But when this cycle is broken by someone choosing to be selfish and see to themselves before seeing to others, it changes how an event could turn out. Selfishness is also what heroism is not because it is egotistical, as one who is selfish would believe only they are worthy and they deserve more for being above those around them, even when they are not truly above. And last, being ungrateful is not a concept when viewing heroism. Being ungrateful shows how one is not appreciative of the time and effort that was put into something and how the person doesn’t care much on the fact that the other
Some definitions of heroes are people, who have noble qualities, and put the lives of others before their own life. They are expected to be reasonable and calm, during scary times, like when a shooting is going on, looking out for
Heroism. Heroism is “heroic conduct” or “courageous action”(“Heroism”). People throughout America’s history, and the world’s history, for more than hundreds of years, have satisfied the standards of heroism, rising above and doing what is right. Heroism doesn’t have to mean saving somebody’s life. To be a hero, one does not need a cape or a villain to fight. Exhibiting acts of heroism can be as small helping retrieve a cat from a tree or as large as helping put out the fire of a burning building. Whether one’s acts of heroism are miniscule or major, they occur every day by ordinary people, proving their extraordinary abilities. After World War II ended, many acts of heroism were displayed that are still remembered today, specifically involving Operation Little Vittles. Over two million citizens living in West Berlin were doomed, cut off from the outside world by the Russians, praying for a miracle. Their wish came true when a handful of pilots agreed to drop thousands of tons of food and fuel from the air in Berlin. One of these esteemed pilots goes by the name of Gail Halvorsen, who changed the situation of the Russian blockade for the better. Halvorsen made the daring decision to drop thousands of individual packages of candy to all of the sweet deprived citizens of West Berlin. Pilot Gail Halvorsen contributed a daring effort by flying day in and day out dropping candy all with the hopes of trying to improve the awful conditions for those involved in the blockade, putting smiles on people’s faces and living up to the standards of heroism.
When I think of a hero I immediately think of someone who is strong, intelligent, handsome, and daring. Upon closer examination, many different qualities than these become apparent. Courage, honesty, bravery, selflessness, and the will to try are just a few of the overlooked qualities of a hero. The definition of heroism changes with the context and time. Heroes of the past are not necessarily heroes of present time and vise versa.
Heroism is defined as an act of courage and an act of selflessness. They reflect the highest levels of morality in society. Heroes have embodied the morality codes of civilizations throughout the ages. When heroes display courage, observers often identify with that courage. The refusal to take the easy way out and the ability to act in spite of fear, is what makes a person a hero. This is the way everyone wishes to react in the midst of a crisis. As witnessed in literature and real life, mankind needs heroes to provide an inspirational role model, an escape from the mundane, and a guide for morality.
Heroes always change in our mind as we grow. As a child, we think Hercules, Xena, superheroes, imaginary friends, comics', and cartoons' heroes as the real heroes. As we grow older, our opinions keep changing from time to time.
Heroism has no bias function, but through the situations that hits one, heroism can shine through or conceal itself from the false bearer. Is it the acts of kindness that leak out the functionality of heroism or a fantasy warrior who fights to charm others. Heroism works on many horizons and can be classified in many complex rubrics or classifications, for example, one might say a person who has impacted one person’s life is not a hero, but a person who has aided many is a hero. One example of a hero is in the poem, A Man, in the various examples of how soldier lives his life in handicap, but chooses to make his life as normal as possible and for others by going the extra mile. Another example might be in the movie, Mulan, where a young Chinese girl chooses to fight in her ill-stricken father’s place to restore her family’s honor. In the vast populations eyes, every special person sees a hero in a different way, for some these examples above might not be the type of heroes that a couple of people might not come face to face with or even think of; No one genuinely knows how heroism really functions, for there is 7.6 billion different variations of what heroism is. Heroism in another possible viewpoint could be a powerful force of righteousness in the embodiment of a pure soul and acts of kindness or acts of willing love. Another possible perspective of heroism could be the way how others want to benefit society in majorly positive ways.