The stereotypical hero is brave, strong, nearly flawless, a lifesaver, and usually at least semi-intelligent. This archetype simply does not often appear in real life, unlike my definition of a hero – someone who tries to be the best person they possibly can be. I believe heroism is defined or reached by being gutsy, devoted, and benevolent, never being unfair, cruel or inhumane, and standing up for what you believe in.
Heroes have three main traits: enough guts to ignore those who have a problem with their goals and the way they are living their life, devotion to their cause, and benevolence towards everyone, no matter what. They do their best to be brave, courageous, and have spirit; in one word, gutsy. Even though many people didn’t support her and called her a witch, Joan of Arc had the bravery and strength to continue fighting for her cause. She used her courage and spirit to ignore negative opinions from the people around her. Heroes are devoted to their cause, and are persistent in trying to reach their goals, especially through hard times. An example is Penelope, wife of Odysseus. He went away to fight in a war, and didn’t come back. “Everyone by now took for granted that he was dead, except Penelope, his wife…the hope that her husband would return was faint, but it never died.” (Mythology, Edith Hamilton.) Penelope waited twenty…
Malala Yousafzai, a seventeen-year-old Pakistani girl began blogging about her life under Taliban occupation and her views about girls’ education under a pseudonym for BBC around age twelve. When asked her name and threatened with a gun, Malala Yousafzai didn’t deny her identity, even though she might have been killed. She was shot in the head, and had the guts to stand her ground. Even though there was an attempt on her life because of her views, Malala continues to speak for girls’ rights at places such as Harvard University. Malala is a hero because she stands up for her…