Heroic Perspective

Friedrich Nietzsche discussed the Apollonian and Dionysian philosophies in the essay Apollonianism and Dionysianism, by contrasting and comparing them he was able to create concepts that can be tied down to how an individual chooses to live and the outcome they will create with the lifestyle they carry. He believes that the two forces of Apollonianism and Dionysianism can be unified to have a diversity of characteristics in a person and that way the “artist” is born. Nietzsche portrays

While the former are portrayed as victims, the latter are shaped as artful supremacists and tenacious manipulators. However, the filmmaker manages to alleviate this idea by infusing wit and irony, aspects that remove part of the heaviness related to the topic itself, at the same time that enhance the entertaining values of his work.

Tragedy is an element of literature. It is rooted in Greek mythology and ancient Greek society. Its definition is “A literary piece that consists of a courageous noble character who must confront powerful obstacles, either external or from within”, and “the protagonist usually has a tragic

Heroes have achieved many feats that support the belief of a greater good and expressing valor and selflessness through the ages. There are fictional or real life accounts that have recognized these men and women for their vigor and marked them as heroes due to their events of success and motives of committing the heroic deeds. Yet there are copious amounts of people who have sacrifice themselves for a greater good but they have been lost through time even if their actions were prosperous or doomed in the end with a valiant purpose. They are unsung heroes who committed the actions based on their inner fire of what is right or honorable or rather than the fame they hope to achieve from those acts. The world or a populous may not know of their actions, but the actions and beliefs of an individual or group can entitle them of being hero-like without the necessity of recognition and success. They have lost their lives or a part of themselves to a cause based on righteousness rather than self-gain. They presented selfless heroism rather than the the intention to receive praise from the victories. Sacrifice contributes more to Heroism because the individual invested his or her own determination, valor and accepting the opportunity to risk their self-health (physical or psychological) based on great intentions rather than reaping the accolades of committing good deeds.

However, since the hero is part of society, the journey is also one of personal development. On a more psychological level, one could suggest that the hero’s quest is symbolic of all personal conflict. Conflict begins when a problem arises that must be dealt with. Most people, at first, refuse to come to terms with whatever this problem may be, and attempt to ignore it. With enough mental determination and/or aid from an outside source, however, one can bring themselves to cross the first threshold, and begin their journey into the heart of the problem. For example, victims of rape or other types of abuse must face what is haunting them in order for it to be exorcised properly.

To date, the impact of heroes and she-roes is highly significant (Campbell & Zimbardo, 2007). Periodically, a nation can be discerned by memories from the past because it is through such means, a nation can forge a new sense of belonging. These few individuals have contributed immensely in one way or the other to a society’s heritage pertinent to their notable virtuosity and exceptional accomplishments. However, it is widely believed that in life, one is bound to pass through inevitable perverse situations. As a result, these rare people shared similar experiences hence, motivate people concerning their notions and provide relevant coping skills

This was true in ancient times, and the desire endures in modern culture also, through our sophisticated fascination with cinema and literature. The storylines of many movies follow a familiar structure of plot and characterization. The characters that are imagined and placed in these productions and compilations often encounter similar challenges that plagued the heroes detailed in ancient oral mythology. The ability for these characters, heroes, and legends to transcend time and culture is a unifying force that almost appears to be a required consequence of a civilization as they continue to prosper in their interactions with the external forces troubling to existence. Myth’s capability to distract us from our fears cannot be emphasized enough. Purpose can be found within these workings, and they offer individuals the opportunity to define their own meaningful existence. In a meaningless world, the only meaning is the one we give it (Longenecker, “Why Myth Matters”). The presence of myth and its thematic elements perseveres in modern society through the manifestation of art, movies, music, and

Hundreds of years ago Greek plays were very popular. People would plan to go to these plays for entertainment and to have fun with their friends. These plays would also help to teach the audience all about Greek mythology. The main character in these plays often had something tragic occur at the end, such as death. This character was the referred to as the “tragic hero.” A couple hundred years later a Greek philosopher named Aristotle described tragedy with 4 simple elements, nobility of the character, the flaws of the tragic hero, the start of the tragic hero’s downfall, and his/her punishment. In Things Fall Apart, Oedipus, and Antigone there is a character that shows this definition of tragedy by the end of the book and or play. This is usually caused by something called hubris, excessive pride. Things Fall Apart, Oedipus, and Antigone all fulfill Aristotle 's definition of tragedy.

‘The Birth of Tragedy’ written by Nietzsche, brings up the idea of the two gods, Apollonian and Dionysian. This greek essence of the gods are discussed in terms of their nature and what they represent in terms of art and culture. He talks about the rebirth of tragedy and links music to it.

One of the main themes in Greek tragedies is that through suffering there is knowledge to be gained. Greek tragedies focused on popular myths and beliefs, especially in relation to the mythical powers of the gods. The plays read in class show how knowledge is gained through suffering in relation to: the hubris and stubbornness seen by Creon in Antigone, the attempt of trying to change fate seen through Oedipus in Oedipus Rex, and the consequences of disastrous flaws demonstrated by the character Pentheus in the Bacchae.

To date, the impact of heroes and she-roes is highly significant (Campbell & Zimbardo, 2007). Periodically, a nation can be discerned by memories from the past due to the fact that it is through such a means, a new nation can be built. These few individuals have contributed immensely in one way or the other to a society’s heritage owing to their notable virtuosity and exceptional accomplishments. However, it is widely believed that in life, one is bound to pass through inevitable perverse situations. As a result, these distinguished people shared similar experience hence, motivate people concerning their notions and provide relevant coping skills in order to overcome their adversities. Lockwood (2006, p. 36) posits that heroes and she-roes are endowed with special potentials that provide etiquettes necessary for attaining a favourable outcome. Heroes and she-roes either influence a person positively or negatively (Piccolo, 2002).This essay intends to discuss the need to commemorate heroes and she-roes as well as the disadvantages.

The classical hero is a timeless description of human beings all around the world. Not only is it part of some human’s nature; it is used as a source of entertainment for people as well. The classical hero is seen both in the Iliad, as we have discussed, and in today’s world every day and in most cases everywhere. Heroes are seen today in TV shows, novels, movies, sports, in politics, and on the news, etc. As an audience, we love to study the classical hero whether we’re watching something or reading a novel or story about one. It always seems to be exhilarating because it’s part of our nature. The story of the hero motivates individuals to want to be like that person and strive to help

The journey, the hero, the triumph, and the defeat are all elements that some of literatures greatest works have encaptured, such as: the Ramayana, The Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Mahabharata. Each of these texts depicts a hero or protagonist that is unique to their culture and although each of these heroes embark on a different journey with different purposes and goals in mind, they all display a variety of features that people of then and now can relate to. It becomes transparent that each of the journeys these heroes undertake are a lot like that of the lives of people today.

The Greeks considered tragedy the greatest form for literature.  However, the tragic ends for the characters were not ordained or set by fate, but rather caused by certain characteristics belonging to that person.  Such is the case with the characters of Sophocles' plays Oedipus the King and Antigone.  Oedipus from King Oedipus, and Antigone and Creon from Antigone posses characteristics, especially pride, that caused their tragic ends.  As the play progress, other characteristics appear and further add to the problem to such a point that it is inevitable that it will end in tragedy.  Therefore the tragedies were not a result of a plot by the fates, but rather a result of the

The Dionysian, named for Dionysus, is marked by chaos, drunkenness, madness, and instinctive emotions (Kreis, “Nietzsche, Dionysus and Apollo”). It is excess, dismemberment, and rebirth; the dark, earth-bound force of suffering (Jenkins). The Dionysian alienates figures from social, political, and familial bonds, destroying those who refuse to succumb to its power (McClure). Nietzsche says that the