Preview

Hero In Greek Literature

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
745 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Hero In Greek Literature
What is a hero? Well, in today’s viewpoint, a hero is “a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities” (Dictionary). When a hero is considered, he is generally viewed to be strong, courageous, smart, humble, and brave (Anglo-Saxon Hero). This is the type of hero that is seen in Old English literature. However, in Greek literature, the perspective of a hero is much different. The average hero seen in Greek literature has very few of these traits and does not have to perform an act of courage. All that is required is for that person to be dead (The Concept). Despite these differences, there are many similarities between the traits of a hero in Greek literature and Old English literature. When the concept of the Greek hero is thought of, today’s concept of what a hero is needs to be forgotten. The Greek hero is thought to be a “religious figure” (The Concept). This means that he is dead and that people offer sacrifices to him in worship out of constant fear that they might not please him. He can also be seen …show more content…
An example of a hero in Greek literature is Hercules. Although he is half immortal, he is put through many trials but overcame them through pure will (Top 10). He might have strength but in the end his strength is not worth anything because nothing can stop the excruciating pain that the burning cloak is causing. However, in the end, he becomes an immortal and receives worship as a god for the rest of time (The Life). An example of a hero in Old English literature is Beowulf. He shows courage as well as humility in his actions. He is said to have the “strength of thirty men” in just one of his arms (Anglo-Saxon Hero). When he fights Grendel, he is not merely doing it for himself, but for the protection of his people and king (Beowulf). He truly is the definition of a

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    What makes a hero? A hero is usually considered as someone who has great courage, does bold deeds, and is thought of as a model being. In the Odyssey, composed by Homer, Odysseus goes on a twenty year journey home from the Trojan War to Ithaca. Throughout this journey, Odysseus faces fearsome monsters, rough seas, and many other troubles and triumphs. Odysseus is a hero because he courageous, looks out for others, and is loyal to his quest.…

    • 980 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The dictionary definition of a hero is “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Now, while all of this is true, a hero can be so much more. A hero can be someone who would risk himself for the better of humanity, get what they need need accomplished done well, be a great leader, know when to do the right thing, and be morally balanced and virtuous.…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The term "hero" comes from the ancient Greeks. For them, a hero was a mortal who had done something so far beyond the normal scope of human experience that he left an immortal memory behind him when he died, and thus received worship like that due the gods. Many of these first heroes were great benefactors of humankind: Hercules, the monster killer; Asclepius, the first doctor; Dionysus, the creator of Greek fraternities. But people who had committed unthinkable crimes were also called heroes; Oedipus and Medea, for example, received divine worship after their deaths as well. Originally, heroes were not necessarily good, but they were always extraordinary; to be a hero was to expand people's sense of what was possible for a human being.…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is a hero? A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. In that case, Odysseus the protagonist of The Odyssey by Homer, is a hero He is loyal , compassionate and cunning.…

    • 402 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    How Is Odysseus A Hero

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A hero is someone held in high regard due to their fortitude, admirable traits, and amazing accomplishments. Heros come in many different shapes and sizes, all having different motives and goals. They aren’t all the typical strong, powerful, crime fighting super soldiers as seen in films. In a majority of books and movies the protagonist is also a hero. In Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, the tale of Odysseus is told.…

    • 757 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    What is a hero? A hero is someone who helps others in their time of need. A hero is someone who helps and tries to understand. A hero is brave and a modest person. So basically a hero is someone who loves. People’s definition of a hero is someone who has powers beyond our imagination but the truth is that there are heroes all around us.…

    • 368 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    A hero is a person who has super powers or can do things normal people could not do. A hero is strong, smart and ladies call them “attractive”. A long time ago, a poet named Homer had written an epic poem called “The Odyssey”. In “The Odyssey”, there is a person with these traits named Odysseus. Odysseus goes through adventures for a long time trying to get home. Odysseus is an epic hero…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself" -Joseph Campbell. The story I'm writing about is the Epic poem call Beowulf, which was translated by Burton Raftel. Beowulf is a hero who defeated many monster that are killing innocent people. In his life, as a hero, Beowulf shows that he is bossy, independent, and fearless; which are all the qualities of a real Epic hero.…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When I think of a hero, I think about The Incredibles or Simba in The Lion King. A hero is someone who sacrifices their life to help other people. Heroes come in all forms. Heroes are leaders. They stand up when life gets tough, and they are someone people can count on.…

    • 1444 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Odysseus As A Hero

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Hero? What makes someone a hero? Well, the definition of a hero is : a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.…

    • 388 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A hero has to be strong. The type of strength valued varies depending on the society being looked at. The Greeks valued physical strength. This strength is often the result of the hero being a demi-god. Heracles is most notable for his superhuman strength and ability to utilize brute force to his advantage. {Example: a couple of the tasks} In contrast, contemporary society values moral strength in its heroes. Modern heroes stand up for what is right in the face of an evil that challenges the well-being of their fellow…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Essay On Heroic Mythology

    • 1479 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What makes a hero? Saving someone’s life perhaps, or is it just being noble and caring for the poor like Robin Hood did. Most people who don’t actually take the time to read about or study mythology believe that a hero in mythology is a god or a supernatural most of the time. But that is not the case. There are some that can be called a demigod, these are ones that even though half god are also mostly human. A demigod could have different meaning, one being as previously mentioned, which is a being with partial or lesser divine status such as a minor deity, the offspring of a god and a mortal but it can also mean a man who is greatly admired or respected which is what both of my heroic mythology figures have had.…

    • 1479 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Quintessential, the most perfect/ typical example. The ideal Greek Hero would be, without question, Perseus. First off, Perseus overcomes the weakness of hate for his grandfather (who doesn’t want him alive). In addition, he crosses into unknown territory, suffers, and returns as any ideal hero would. Moreover, Perseus reaches his own herculean task (cutting off the head of Medusa). Overall, I believe Perseus is the prime example of a Greek Hero due to his courage and his overcoming of obstacles thrown at him.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet Hero Quotes

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Furthermore, the epic of Beowulf is an additional great example of hero in literature, providing a hero who stands at the face of danger and his/her enemy with bravery and courage, and also various antagonists who act as boosts to the already increasing intensity of what will be the hero's next move. Beowulf is what is expected of a hero, the key to the success of the epic in fact. In a quote found in Beowulf that states, “So times were pleasant for people there until finally one, a fiend out of hell, began to work his evil in the world” (Beowulf). This quote provides an example of how a hero must face danger or a situation in which he/she must show bravery, this provides the key to being a hero. A hero would be no such hero without proving to his/her audience why they should be considered a hero, a statement…

    • 945 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Courses in modern Greek literature, language, and history are offered for credit in many colleges and universities. Some were initially promoted by members of the Modern Greek Studies Association, founded at Princeton in 1969. Most relate to Greece, of course, but the scholarly study of Greek America has also expanded in recent years. Such systematic study goes back at least to 1911, when Henry Pratt Fairchild published Greek Immigration to the United States. Thomas Burgess followed with Greeks in America (1913). Since then many books and monographs, including master’s theses and doctoral dissertations, have helped to make the Greek minority one of the more thoroughly researched in the nation. The most authoritative account to date remains The Greeks in the United States (1964) by Theodore Saloutos. Of late an interesting adjunct to these endeavors by social scientists has been an inquiry into the modern Greek presence in our literature, with respect to both fictional characters and creative writers.…

    • 992 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics