“What
is a society without a heroic dimension?”- Jean Baudrillard
The concept of a hero
is something that is used in literary works as well as everyday life. It is ingrained in society and will remain so
for years to come. The definition of
heroism is established through the media and literature and can be found across
a variety of cultures. In essence, the
broad guidelines of a hero remain the same, but the light in which it is viewed
can differ greatly across regions. The
normal parameters for a hero include: bravery, a “larger than life” persona, as
well as an action that is performed to help other people. Literature is best at creating the perfect
heroic figure. Beowulf, for example is a
quintessential hero down to his appearance and stamina. He saved a kingdom from the wrath of Grendel
and defeated a tireless dragon, all with his incredible strength and a single
sword. Literary figures often prove
themselves by performing a grand deed, or saving thousands of lives.
In the United States, real-life heroes, such
as firefighters and police officers often have the word “hero” associated with
their job title. Their career involves
helping others, so they are considered brave and heroic in nature. In some parts of Afghanistan, suicide bombers
are seen as heroes. They are doing
something “for their country” and this sacrifice is a respected and heroic
action. For many people, this would not
appear to be heroic on any level but different cultures have different ideas on
the topic. In our world today, heroes can
be everyday people, but the media often defines who those heroes are. We have all heard stories about the man who
lifted a car off of a neighbor, but what if that man is an alcoholic who beats
his wife at night. Would he still be
considered a hero? “Heroic actions” are
often seen as more important than good personality traits or good deeds done on
a daily basis. Ralph Waldo Emerson once
said “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes
longer.” Brave actions are glorified in
our society and serve to keep the theme of heroism alive. I don’t believe that
there will ever be a time when heroism is not a part of our society.
