AnimeSuki Forums

Guernsey · 2011-05-28, 15:59

Whether it would be the Ancient Greeks or even our own modern intrepretaion, everyone seems to have some idea of what a 'hero' is. Usually, the 'hero' is someone who has achieved fame by preforming a great feat in their lifetimes like Herakles, Achillies or Agammenon. They are worshipped as Gods and even hav cults mnamed after them. While we may not have those kinds of rituals, the Hero worship and the tales of great men of valor still occur today. It usually in manga, comic books, television, books, etc. but the term 'hero' varies from culture to culture. What the Ancient Greeks consider to be a hero is far different from what we today considered to be a hero.

Even now, we have variuos intepretations of what we consider to be a hero. Usually, the hero is noble, strong and powerful figure who defies odds and succeeds int heir goals. We all have our own concept of what a 'hero' is but what do you think of the hero concept?

Here are some links to help out:

http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-a-hero-a101471

http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2009/0...e-akheans.html

http://athome.harvard.edu/programs/n...t_of_hero.html

Xellos-_^ · 2011-05-28, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guernsey

Whether it would be the Ancient Greeks or even our own modern intrepretaion, everyone seems to have some idea of what a 'hero' is. Usually, the 'hero' is someone who has achieved fame by preforming a great feat in their lifetimes like Herakles, Achillies or Agammenon. They are worshipped as Gods and even hav cults mnamed after them. While we may not have those kinds of rituals, the Hero worship and the tales of great men of valor still occur today. It usually in manga, comic books, television, books, etc. but the term 'hero' varies from culture to culture. What the Ancient Greeks consider to be a hero is far different from what we today considered to be a hero.

Even now, we have variuos intepretations of what we consider to be a hero. Usually, the hero is noble, strong and powerful figure who defies odds and succeeds int heir goals. We all have our own concept of what a 'hero' is but what do you think of the hero concept?

Here are some links to help out:

http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-a-hero-a101471

http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2009/0...e-akheans.html

http://athome.harvard.edu/programs/n...t_of_hero.html

i will accept "defies the odds" but noble is really a western concept.

ChainLegacy · 2011-05-28, 17:45

Intelligent revolutionaries, benevolent great leaders, etc. Unfortunately the present world is lacking in both.

Xellos-_^ · 2011-05-28, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

Intelligent revolutionaries, benevolent great leaders, etc. Unfortunately the present world is lacking in both.

they are a myth, the world never had any of these. The closet to being a benevolent Great Leader in Chinese history is Tang Tai Zhong and he killed both his brothers then force his father into retirement for the Job.

Xagzan · 2011-05-28, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guernsey

Whether it would be the Ancient Greeks or even our own modern intrepretaion, everyone seems to have some idea of what a 'hero' is. Usually, the 'hero' is someone who has achieved fame by preforming a great feat in their lifetimes like Herakles, Achillies or Agammenon. They are worshipped as Gods and even hav cults mnamed after them. While we may not have those kinds of rituals, the Hero worship and the tales of great men of valor still occur today. It usually in manga, comic books, television, books, etc. but the term 'hero' varies from culture to culture. What the Ancient Greeks consider to be a hero is far different from what we today considered to be a hero.

You got that right. One of the requirements of being a hero to them was already being dead.

ChainLegacy · 2011-05-28, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

they are a myth, the world never had any of these.

I disagree. Everyone is looking out for themselves on some level, but there have been truly great people that left their mark on history. Of course, they've always been very rare types.

Xellos-_^ · 2011-05-28, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

I disagree. Everyone is looking out for themselves on some level, but there have been truly great people that left their mark on history.

Great leader yes, benevolent leader yes, but a Great and Benevolent leader is a myth.

Guardian Enzo · 2011-05-28, 18:12

I've studied literature, film history, Greek history, philosophy... I could give a long, boring answer but my opinion is no better than anyone else's. Rather, since this is an anime/manga board let me give a very short, two-word answer that pops into my mind when thinking about what a hero is:

Himura Kenshin

DonQuigleone · 2011-05-28, 19:03

A hero is larger then life. Everything he does is 1 or 2 magnitudes higher then everyone else.

I think the greeks had the right idea. The hero is not a paragon of virtue (that's a chivalric thing), instead he's a larger then life individual, with strengths and weaknesses. But his strengths and weaknesses are all greater then the average persons. He is not boring and mundane. Heracles was super strong, but he was also prone to fits of rage. The other most common weakness was pride, which really makes for good drama. Your hero performs great feats, he's clearly smart and strong, but he comes back with a swelled head. Also all his actions have great consequences. Whatever he does, it will effect the world around him.

Take Achilles, a lot of modern readers might find him overly prideful and vengeful, that he's too prone to his emotions. But noone could deny that he's great. Ironically, the antagonist hector is more typically "heroic" then Achilles, from a virtues standpoint. But of course, he's fighting for the wrong side

.

So for me, a hero is someone that's impossible to ignore, that encapsulates qualities that you admire, but can also possess flaws that we can all fall prey too. He's an interesting person.

Vexx · 2011-05-28, 22:33

Um, Joseph Campbell ... read his books (particularly The Hero With a Thousand Faces)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell
http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php

HasuMasu · 2011-05-28, 22:51

Quote:

Rather, since this is an anime/manga board let me give a very short, two-word answer that pops into my mind when thinking about what a hero is:

Himura Kenshin

well, if we're getting into that...

Quote:

The other most common weakness was pride

Quote:

Also all his actions have great consequences. Whatever he does, it will effect the world around him.

and taking that as well...

my personal (and probably very messed up) opinion on a hero would be something like...

Spoiler for this:

meh, don't expect people to agree on me with this one

Xellos-_^ · 2011-05-28, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Box

well, if we're getting into that...

and taking that as well...

my personal (and probably very messed up) opinion on a hero would be something like...

Spoiler for this:

meh, don't expect people to agree on me with this one

in the eastern concept these guys would be consider a 枭雄. There is no real equivalent in the western language but it sorts of translate to hero. People like CaoCao, Qin Emperor, Mao and Genghis khan would fall under this heading.

MakubeX2 · 2011-05-29, 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xellos-_^

in the eastern concept these guys would be consider a 枭雄. There is no real equivalent in the western language but it sorts of translate to hero. People like CaoCao, Qin Emperor, Mao and Genghis khan would fall under this heading.

Closest interpretation in English would be an Anti-Hero.

Anyway, the meaning of hero had always been subjective depending on the victors and victims throughout history.

Classic example being Alexandra The Great. Lauded by the Greeks and Romans, hated with the Persians. Still do by their descendants today.

A recent modern day version will be Osama Bin Laden.

HasuMasu · 2011-05-29, 01:20

Quote:

A recent modern day version will be Osama Bin Laden.

lies! he's still alive packing your bags at walmart

Magin · 2011-05-29, 03:03

As the OP sort of stated, what a hero is all depends on who you're asking. But, I personally like how the Dresden files puts it (and note, I'm paraphrasing here): when you go into an impossible situation and come out alive. Otherwise, you're a fool.

Knightrunner · 2011-05-29, 04:11

I believe these people can represent the hero population

Spoiler for :):

HasuMasu · 2011-05-29, 04:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightrunner

I believe these people can represent the hero population

Spoiler for :):

including the guy who burned down a village, sent a planet-destroying meteor, and made thousands of fans cry by killing a flower girl?

hhmmm

Knightrunner · 2011-05-29, 04:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Box

including the guy who burned down a village, sent a planet-destroying meteor, and made thousands of fans cry by killing a flower girl?

hhmmm

I considered him a fallen hero. He use to represent justice and many people looked up to him. Haven't you seen his past?

I guess those Jenova cells gotten into his head.

Yes, the flower girl is a hero too.

HasuMasu · 2011-05-29, 04:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightrunner

I considered him a fallen hero. He use to represent justice and many people looked up to him. Haven't you seen his past?

I guess those Jenova cells gotten into his head.

Yes, the flower girl is a hero too.

well yeah i know he used to be the legendary soldier

it's all hojo's fault

and yeah, aerith is quite the hero, stopping meteor with holy like that

Flinch · 2011-05-29, 04:48

And no one loves the Pansy-Man.

2011-05-28, 15:59	Link #1
Guernsey The GAP Man Join Date: Jun 2008 Age: 36	The Concept of The Hero Whether it would be the Ancient Greeks or even our own modern intrepretaion, everyone seems to have some idea of what a 'hero' is. Usually, the 'hero' is someone who has achieved fame by preforming a great feat in their lifetimes like Herakles, Achillies or Agammenon. They are worshipped as Gods and even hav cults mnamed after them. While we may not have those kinds of rituals, the Hero worship and the tales of great men of valor still occur today. It usually in manga, comic books, television, books, etc. but the term 'hero' varies from culture to culture. What the Ancient Greeks consider to be a hero is far different from what we today considered to be a hero. Even now, we have variuos intepretations of what we consider to be a hero. Usually, the hero is noble, strong and powerful figure who defies odds and succeeds int heir goals. We all have our own concept of what a 'hero' is but what do you think of the hero concept? Here are some links to help out: http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-a-hero-a101471 http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2009/0...e-akheans.html http://athome.harvard.edu/programs/n...t_of_hero.html __________________

2011-05-28, 22:33	Link #10
Vexx Obey the Darkly Cute ... Author Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ... Age: 66	Um, Joseph Campbell ... read his books (particularly The Hero With a Thousand Faces) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Campbell http://www.jcf.org/new/index.php __________________ "It Really IS Rocket Science", Novel series rough drafts; vol. 1 thru vol. 3 complete Volume 4 in work, Visit the thread for short stories!

2011-05-29, 03:03	Link #15
Magin #1 Akashiya Moka Fan Author Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Where magic is real Age: 35	As the OP sort of stated, what a hero is all depends on who you're asking. But, I personally like how the Dresden files puts it (and note, I'm paraphrasing here): when you go into an impossible situation and come out alive. Otherwise, you're a fool. __________________ Gifted...or Cursed? R+V fanfic- Chapter 4 of A Water Bride and a Vampire is now up at FF.net! All fans of Inner or Outer Moka, come join her fanclub!

2011-05-29, 04:11	Link #16
Knightrunner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: United States--- California	I believe these people can represent the hero population Spoiler for :): __________________ Credit to grylsygaeger

2011-05-29, 04:48	Link #20
Flinch Onii-chan~ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Einzbern Castle Age: 32	And no one loves the Pansy-Man. __________________

2011-05-28, 17:45	Link #3
ChainLegacy 廉頗 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Massachusetts Age: 34	Intelligent revolutionaries, benevolent great leaders, etc. Unfortunately the present world is lacking in both.

2011-05-28, 19:03	Link #9
DonQuigleone Knight Errant Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Age: 35	A hero is larger then life. Everything he does is 1 or 2 magnitudes higher then everyone else. I think the greeks had the right idea. The hero is not a paragon of virtue (that's a chivalric thing), instead he's a larger then life individual, with strengths and weaknesses. But his strengths and weaknesses are all greater then the average persons. He is not boring and mundane. Heracles was super strong, but he was also prone to fits of rage. The other most common weakness was pride, which really makes for good drama. Your hero performs great feats, he's clearly smart and strong, but he comes back with a swelled head. Also all his actions have great consequences. Whatever he does, it will effect the world around him. Take Achilles, a lot of modern readers might find him overly prideful and vengeful, that he's too prone to his emotions. But noone could deny that he's great. Ironically, the antagonist hector is more typically "heroic" then Achilles, from a virtues standpoint. But of course, he's fighting for the wrong side . So for me, a hero is someone that's impossible to ignore, that encapsulates qualities that you admire, but can also possess flaws that we can all fall prey too. He's an interesting person.