Defining a Hero

What makes a hero? Is it some abstract concept that one develops while growing up or does it have something to do with personal strengths? Well, it depends on how you define a hero. For some, it is simply a person who struggles against great odds. For others, it is a person who rises above the rest and acts against evil.

A hero is either a real individual or a main fictitious character who, while facing danger, fights against adversity by harnessing courage, ingenuity, or strength. Unlike other previously solely gender-defined terms, hero can be used to describe any gender, although hero only refers to females. For example, Christopher Columbus, though not a true hero, was hailed a hero because he discovered a new world. Likewise, George Washington, although not a hero in every sense of the word, was also hailed a hero because of his role in protecting the United States from British invasion. Thus, heroes can be male or female.

In the present day, there are many definitions for what constitutes real-life heroic behavior. Some researchers suggest that heroic behavior is when a person exhibits courage, skill, and confidence in their abilities. Others suggest that real-life heroes exhibit qualities such as social intelligence, emotional intelligence, and emotional sensitivity. Still, most researchers suggest that real-life heroes possess qualities such as patience, realism, and logic.

For example, most researchers would say that bravery is the ability to undertake extraordinary risks, which could be physical, mental, or social, and make a valuable contribution in the struggle for freedom. Being a hero comes with responsibilities, as any one who displays exceptional courage should consider themselves. On the other hand, heroes also need to understand that they have the duty to protect others, which they often choose to carry out through the use of violence, weapons, or any other means. Furthermore, some would also suggest that real-life heroes should also have some degree of honor, which is necessary because oftentimes, they risk their own lives for the greater good.

One can say that heroes can only be defined as those who are willing to act even if it means putting their own lives at risk, risking their liberty, and even their very lives. Furthermore, one could also say that heroes are those who put themselves into harm’s way to ensure the safety of others. While most of these definitions do not necessarily remove the individuality of the individual, most experts believe that only through the use of modern weapons and technologies could we expect to eliminate the possibility of a hero being merely a normal person. This definition essentially defines heroes as those who display great courage in even the most difficult of times.

Of course, not all individuals who can qualify to be a hero can actually be classified as one. One could say that true heroes never lack personal courage. True heroes are simply born with an exceptional courage that stems from within and is not dependent upon outside influence. The real test to see whether an individual is indeed a hero rests on how they react to emergencies, how they handle emergencies in their own lives, and how they respond to the necessities of survival.