The Hero Essay -- essays research papers

The Hero A hero is not just the title of an action-packed kung-fu flick with subtitles. A hero these days has many meanings; depending on the time and reason that person is called a hero. According to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition becomes very broad. It starts as being â€Å"a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability† and becomes â€Å"a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities.† The last definition listed is probably the most modern of the many, being â€Å"an object of extreme admiration and devotion.† These definitions are in the same order as listed in the dictionary, but also seem to be chronologically listed as well, because overtime the meaning of the word hero adjust it’s self to the people using it. Thus, the definition of a hero changes parallel to the evolution of society, religion, and politics, in order to placate the desires of the people involved.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If we look back, over a thousand years ago before Christianity became the omnipotent religion of the West, we hear of stories of heroes being passed down orally from generation to generation. In â€Å"Beowulf† we have this invincible brute tearing the limbs off of hideous friend Grendel, all in the name of fame and glory. A few hundred years later, when â€Å"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight† was jotted down, we still have people being dismembered, but our character traits have changed a little. Sir Gawain is not the c...