Since man first began telling stories, before they were even written down, there were heroes. Hercules, Sigurd, Arjuna, Yoshitsune, Galahad, King David; all people, all cultures have heroes. We need them. From these mythic heroes have evolved characters that vary in kind, from Bilbo Baggins to Atticus Finch, and yes even comic book superheroes. The ancient stories continue their influence in our on modern age, stories fueling, inspiring, new stories. New heroes.
The hero himself (or herself) while varied is unchanged. They are powerful, clever, often displaying godlike abilities. They can be seen doing amazing deeds, and at the same time undergoing immense struggle both internally and externally. They display the greatest aspects of mankind: benevolent protector, brave warrior, just king. And yet they also display the most flawed. They are amazing in their awe inspiring feats, and yet it is not an uncommon thing to see the hero fall in his battle. From ancient myths to our age of Harry Potter, the hero is both loved and hated, misunderstood. Many heroes can also be seen as, among other things, an outcast.
The legendary founder of Rome, Aeneas, was thrown into exile after his native Troy was burned out of existence. His story tells of a warrior’s struggle to protect and find refuge for the last of his people. Several scholars and friends have mixed feelings about Aeneas. For one thing, the hero is described having pietas (piety or fidelity), hailed as pious Aeneas; but we see throughout Virgil’s text that often times he loses sight of his higher calling. This is primarily demonstrated in his relationship with the Carthaginian Queen Dido. Many people find it distasteful, weak, that he fell into a romantic relationship and was distracted from his duty to the people- but when reminded of his duty, he just left her. With a heavy heart he parted from Dido, and would eventually contribute to the founding of Rome. Broken hearted, Dido committed suicide. It was Aeneas’ fate, he had to do leave, but many still look down upon the hero for that - among other things. Personally I take a more empathetic stance (as do others). I see Aeneas as caught in a moment of being human, making human mistakes. Aeneas had lost everything, his wife, father, home. He not only had his child to look after but also the only survivors of his nation. Dido presented a human connection and for a second after the initial chaos, he acted on it. Although the son of a goddess, he was still only human.
It is ironic that the greatest of heroes are also the most unlikely. We all read in the bible of King David, how the youngest son of a poor Sheppard was ordained by God to be king of his people. Like Aeneas, David too was an outcast- at one time fleeing for his life against a vengeful King Saul. Yet even when David had access to kill Saul in his sleep, he did not. In fact we even read that he scolds Saul’s general for not guarding his lord more properly. David was the defeater of Goliath, builder of Jerusalem. He was a devout man and just ruler, and a poet. He was still just a man. Even David fell into lust and corruption. While he is a great hero, certainly favored by God, he still possessed the flaws that effect everyday people, and he knew it. Heroes may be heroes, but they’re not perfect. For every remarkable aspect there can be in kind an equally ugly twist to the story. Because of their greatness, a hero’s flaws can be even greater than the common man’s, just as their deeds are uncommon.
Why do we admire heroes? Why do we need them? Those are very simple yet complicated questions. Here’s my take, because everyone reads things differently- though I do believe my answers are shared because let’s face it: everyone loves a hero, needs them too. Heroes are the individuals who take a stand. They may be outcasts, even sinners looking for redemption, they can be anything and anyone. This just proves that while a person may not have superhuman abilities, it is in every human being’s potential to do great things, great good. We need heroes because they give us persons to look up to, and emulate, and dream of the impossible. Such has been our need that the hero has been a part of our stories and literature since the beginning, an endless cycle of characters all bound by prevailing traits and a shared journey. It is this archetypal character I shall further explore later in my English thesis, Why Did God Choose David? The Hero Archetype.
If this very small reflection on heroes has prompted either curiosity, or desire for discussion, or even if you want to talk about your own heroes, please share your thoughts and we can explore this concept together. The Shield Hall is always open.
