Role and evolution of the hero in literature

All fictional heroes share the fact that their mindset changes through adversities in order to reach fulfillment. For example, Odysseus is considered an unconventional hero because he killed and or scarred many creatures that prevented him from going home. On the other hand, Rainsford is also considered an unconventional hero, but he didn’t have powers like Odysseus to kill his hunter (General Zaroff) instead he used his intellect. In addition, the archetype heroes of war are portrayed in Odysseus and Rainsford because yet endure hardships through creatures and or people. Although Odysseus and Rainsford share their differences in the development and growth of their mindset, they eventually find their destiny as becoming altruistic. In summary, methods and approaches taken by the heroes based on their obstacles can help us identify comparing key points as well as contrasting in fictional heroes. At the end of the day, all heroes fictional or not will be portrayed as being selfless through their change of

so much so that he risks his own life. Even when he knows that he,

One character quality that describes Atticus is morally upstanding. He is consistently considerate of other people’s feelings while remaining professional. When Scout asks Atticus if he is a nigger-lover, he says he certainly is and he does his best

When Atticus took the case, he went up against Maycomb, a generally prejudiced town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of ridicule and that no one would forgive him for believing a black man's word over a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval at his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace to the family. Nevertheless, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his morals and ethics was more important than what people thought about him. From the very start Atticus knows he will not win the case however he does his job and finishes what he set out to do.

Throughout his lifetime, it is more than clear that he has created a legacy not only for

A hero is born is how every story starts with the same story, climax, and ending, but with this specific story this hero wasn’t born he was created. Throughout the book and the cases being fought, Bryan Stevenson is the hero; the man in quest of justice. His motive and moral code is defending the innocents and protecting their lives within the corrupt justice system. With each case, he begins to see what he is capable of and how he holds the lives of these people. Such examples would be the puritans, acknowledging their sins and trying to be redeemed by God. However, finding redemption comes with difficulties in their path to gain their redemption. Although, for Bryan Stevenson he is trying to find the innocence in these felons on death

All in all, Pat Tillman was not just a good man, but he was also good all around. He put others ahead of himself, and did things that were good for others. Pat was also just a really well rounded man because of all the amazing things that he did. Like he fought for our country, and died doing so. Those are the ways that Pat Tillman stood out from any other

He will stop at nothing to stand out and speak up for what he believes in all of the time.

but his willingness to serve in the military. Any Commander in Chief that leads an entire should

Atticus is a very determined character. Throughout the novel, he focuses on Tom Robinson’s case. "Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told . . . And you know what the truth is" (146). This quote from the book shows that Atticus is really determined to prove that Tom is not guilty. He knows that the whole town is against him because he is defending a black man. Even though, everyone thinks that it is impossible for Tom to win at odds with the Ewells, Atticus is determined. He feels that Tom should have a chance, and he is determined to prove that.

But in real life his treatment of people know matter there social status or there race makes him a likeable character. An example of this is when Atticus explains to Scout what “nigger-lover” means saying “nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything like snot-nose.”(Lee 108) Atticus and his family are constantly bombarded by members of the community for him taking on the case to defend a black person from accusations against rape. These accusations against rape. However these allegations don’t seem to bother him because in his heart he knows what he's doing is right. He also treats Calpurnia, the maid who works at his home, the same as he would treat anybody else. He even accepts and allows Calpurnia to correct his children's behaviour. Atticus views everyone as equals and it makes him a more likeable

Atticus believes that everyone, no matter how bad they seem, has some good in them. He displays his views on the town when he declares, “‘Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand’” (Lee 117). At the moment, Maycomb is dealing with a rape case with an African American. Atticus is willing to contradict the prejudiced town’s opinion on this racial issue because he is following his moral values. He hopes people will see situations like these as moral issues instead of racial issues. Atticus wants people to realize that everyone, including those of different social classes and origins has some merit in them worth saving. Atticus sends Jem to apologize to Mrs. Dubose

the epitome of good citizenship and acceptable behavior and now he has come to face the

but also a man of great courage and caring for those in need, like those of East

Who is a hero? How does the definition of a hero change over time? The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the “longest and greatest literary composition written in cuneiform Akkadian” (Dalley 39) and told to an audience, while The Odyssey, and Oedipus the King came many centuries later. However, they all have a hero that represents the values of the society at the time. This paper is going to compare and contrast the ideal of the hero from ancient Mesopotamia in Gilgamesh in approximately 2000 BC, The Odyssey, from the close of the 8th century BC focusing on Odysseus’ long journey home to Ithaca, and Oedipus the King written in about 430 BC and telling the story of the King, Oedipus who fulfills a prophecy.