What is it?

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Mon Aug 27, 2001 11:54 pm

I'm going to have to write an essay in my English Composition class about Heroes. We're supposed to come up with our own definition of what a hero is. I've been thinking and as far as I can tell, I don't have any heros and I'm not even really sure what a hero really is.

So, instead of asking who your hero is like Aegis did, I'm asking what is a hero?

Vehemence · Post by **Vehemence** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 12:02 am

To me, simply put, a hero is someone who has a certain characteristic that I find admirable. Similarly, someone who makes us want to better ourselves.

So for me, Billy Connolly's ability to make people laugh with such simple things. I admire that and aspire to do the same for the people I know. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but this is how we play the game

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 12:12 am

A hero is a man/woman who is overrated...

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 12:19 am

Originally posted by Rob-hin:
A hero is a man/woman who is overrated...

In today's society(at least in the US), that tends to be true. The general definition seems to be "someone who has some good quality and is then made extremely 'popular' by the media just so that they can then be torn down."

@Veh I agree with your definition, somewhat. However, I personally believe that a hero is much more than that. I'm just not sure what the "much more than that" is...

Vehemence · Post by **Vehemence** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 12:37 am

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn:
@Veh I agree with your definition, somewhat. However, I personally believe that a hero is much more than that. I'm just not sure what the "much more than that" is...

Who am I to argue?

But since I'm not like most people, my definition of a hero is just that, my definition

To some people, someone who performs an altruistic action like leaping into the rough waves to save a child's life is a hero. But I believe it's the courage and unselfishness which said hero exibited that people admire.

But like I said... that's personal opinion.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 12:45 am

Originally posted by Vehemence:
Who am I to argue? But since I'm not like most people, my definition of a hero is just that, my definition To some people, someone who performs an altruistic action like leaping into the rough waves to save a child's life is a hero. But I believe it's the courage and unselfishness which said hero exibited that people admire.

But like I said... that's personal opinion.

I definitely agree that those are heroic acts and those people exhibit heroic qualities. I also completely agree that it's personal opinion. That's part of the point of the essay I have to write...figuring out what your personal definition of "hero" is...however, I find myself looking at these definitions of hero that people use, such as yours and others, and thinking to myself "those are great and all...heroic and such...but...if someone saved my life....I'd probably be grateful, but that person wouldn't be my hero...there's more to it than that...but...what...?"

I hope more people will reply to this. I'm hoping that, by reading what other people's definition of a hero is that I'll be able to come closer to figuring out what my definition of a hero is.

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 12:54 am

Mayby it's something that can't be defined.
Heee, that sounds pretty good!!

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 1:02 am

Originally posted by Rob-hin:
Mayby it's something that can't be defined.
Heee, that sounds pretty good!!

That could be, though I'm hoping it isn't.

I will store that possibility away in case I come to the conclusion that that is the necessary answer.

Rob-hin · Post by **Rob-hin** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 1:12 am

I just went to the dictionarry on line, their difinition of a hero is someone who
1 is very brave
2 stand out of the croud
3 the main caracter in a romance

Am I doing your homework? (just kidding

)

fable · Post by **fable** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 1:56 am

Originally posted by Sailor Saturn:
I'm going to have to write an essay in my English Composition class about Heroes. We're supposed to come up with our own definition of what a hero is. I've been thinking and as far as I can tell, I don't have any heros and I'm not even really sure what a hero really is.

So, instead of asking who your hero is like Aegis did, I'm asking what is a hero?

Hemingway said, "Courage is grace under pressure." I think that's a fair definition of a hero.

Mr Snow · Post by **Mr Snow** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 2:29 am

To me a "Hero" is a general perception placed upon the person.
After all many supposed "Hero's" were really not very worthy of the title, some could even be considered scum.

Even now people pray at Pol Pot's grave for goodluck/etc. Now that to me is Heroworship gone too far.

Edit- I used the example above to demonstrate that everyone places their perception on others, wheather that "Hero" (or whatever) deserves it or not.

[ 08-28-2001: Message edited by: Mr Snow ]

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 5:51 am

IMO a hero is defined by what they mean to other people, i see footballers and other such athletes as hero's for other people, each person can be a hero to another, i have little cousins who view some of my antics as heroic, even though they are far from that. The mentallity of crowning David Beckham a hero sickens me somewhat, what has he done to be crowned heroic? The title of hero is best placed on the head of someone who died/lived pursuing a noble cause, not concerning himslef with his own life, but striving to save another - not for the reason of becoming a hero.

The idea of heroism IMO is based on people needing an idol to worship, a person to aspire to be.

I do not aspire to be anyone other than myself, i gave up trying to be someone else a long time ago.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:02 am

Originally posted by Rob-hin:
I just went to the dictionarry on line, their difinition of a hero is someone who
1 is very brave
2 stand out of the croud
3 the main caracter in a romance

Am I doing your homework? (just kidding
)

Did you use [url="http://www.dictionary.com"]Dictionary.com[/url]. That's the one we used in class. We're only supposed to look at the dictionary definitions to help us get an idea of our own personal definition, so no you're not doing my homework for me; but if you want to, you can do some of my other homework for me.

(j/k)

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:04 am

Originally posted by Mr Sleep:
The idea of heroism IMO is based on people needing an idol to worship, a person to aspire to be.

I do not aspire to be anyone other than myself, i gave up trying to be someone else a long time ago.

I don't aspire to be anyone other myself, either. Maybe that's why I'm having so much trouble figuring out what my personal definition of a hero is.

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:25 am

Out of the ruins
Out from the wreckage
Can't make the same mistake this time
We are the children
the last generation
We are the ones they left behind
And I wonder when we are ever gonna change it
Living under the fear till nothing else remains
We don't need another hero
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond the thunderdome

Looking for something we can rely on
There's got to be something better out there
Love and compassion, their day is coming
All else are castles built in the air
And I wonder when we are ever gonna change it
Living under the fear till nothing else remains
All the children say

We don't need another hero
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond the thunderdome

What do we do with our lives
We leave only a mark
Will our story shine like a life
Or end in the dark
Give it all or nothing

rapier · Post by **rapier** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:30 am

How very helpful...

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:34 am

Originally posted by ThorinOakensfield:
Out of the ruins
Out from the wreckage
Can't make the same mistake this time
We are the children
the last generation
We are the ones they left behind
And I wonder when we are ever gonna change it
Living under the fear till nothing else remains
We don't need another hero
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond the thunderdome

Looking for something we can rely on
There's got to be something better out there
Love and compassion, their day is coming
All else are castles built in the air
And I wonder when we are ever gonna change it
Living under the fear till nothing else remains
All the children say

We don't need another hero
We don't need to know the way home
All we want is life beyond the thunderdome

What do we do with our lives
We leave only a mark
Will our story shine like a life
Or end in the dark
Give it all or nothing

I wasn't asking if we need a hero. I was asking "What is a hero?"

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:34 am

@rapier: You're welcome

[ 08-28-2001: Message edited by: ThorinOakensfield ]

ThorinOakensfield · Post by **ThorinOakensfield** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:37 am

A hero is somebody who does something for the good of all people and succeeds.

rapier · Post by **rapier** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 9:40 am

Originally posted by ThorinOakensfield:
@rapier: You're welcome

I didn't say thanks, but I'm glad you show some manners, eh?