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Dr. Ryan Wei

HUMA 3100A

Feb 10th 2017

The nature of heroism

The discussion surrounding the nature of heroism has been a debatable issue. Some opine that they (heroes) are born since they believe that the qualities of heroism are usually passed from one person to another through birth; therefore, one is considered a hero if born with heroism qualities. While on the other side, there are those who argue that heroism is a continuous learning process mastered through the heroes' deeds such as pride and glory. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, characterizes greek plays or stories as tragedies in which the main character is a tragic hero, who confronts his downfall due to fate, his mistake or any other social reason.

Therefore, the concept of heroism involves individual acts that are intended to help other people even if it will cost them their lives but at them same time they are fighting for their status in society. These acts are those parts of their braveness of forgoing their individual interests to the extent of owning other peoples' problems and accepting whatever end result that comes up. Their interest is that of finding solutions (Crabbe, 11). Without having anyone there to acknowledge the victory, for a hero it would not be considered a victory. Therefore, a hero usually requires an army, which also turns into his honour, the greater the army - the greater the honour.

Additionally, heroism is a attribute quality of every Greek hero that is honoured in society. These societies narrate heroism tales either orally or in poems and are usually passed from one generation to another or earned through gaining respect and honour. Other forms of honour are done either through tricking people or dishonouring of another hero, in order to gain honour for themselves.

Nevertheless, there also exist ordinary people who purport to be heroes. These people usually use their statusor richness to their advantage. They call themselves heroes because they believe that they have an added advantage over others. Such kind of heroes can be said to have acquired heroism status through their material earnings, and thus they cannot be said to be true heroes. One fact about true heroes is that they have modest qualities. They possess inner most humility, reliance on team spirit and a selfless ambitious drive that motivates them to help people with no payment in return. For one to be perceived a hero or the nature of heroism requires one to possess certain qualities such as hubris, peripeteia, nemesis.

Firstly, the characteristics exhibited by a normal person are not the same as those of a true one. For instance, a typical person may fight back against those individuals who irritate him. However, a true hero usually rises above the expectation of the hardship situation in the eyes of the audience after his downfall by gaining honour through dishonouring his enemies and gaining glory by killing his enemies. . He or she remains calm and positive regardless the unfortunate circumstances that gods or his or her enemies bring upon them (Crabbe, 16).

Moreover, a true hero puts first the needs of others before his or hers. Although many reputable people are perceived to be given first priority than those with ordinary lives, a true hero believes that greatness is not always what makes one a hero but rather the willingness and ability to sacrifice personal life for other people (Allison, George & Roderick, 16).

In conclusion, the nature of heroism is one that directs others to acknowledge the hero of his pride and honour, otherwise one does not have honour, pride or glory if not acknowledged by others.

Work cited

Allison, Scott T., George R. Goethals, and Roderick M. Kramer, eds. Handbook of heroism and heroic leadership. Routledge, 2016: 14-33.

Crabbe, Katharyn. "The Nature of Heroism in a Comic World." Readings onJ. RR Tolkien (2000): 9-18.

Zimbardo, Philip. "Transforming Society by Teaching Everyday People the Characteristics of a Modern Hero." The Futurist 49.1 (2015): 20-29.