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8 X l x < $ j k 2 s s s ^ s s s s s0 ( s H 0 x s R s s p s ] x > : ~ Mythology ~
Characteristics of a Hero
Read the following characteristics of a hero as suggested by Peter R. Stillman in Introduction to Myth. Keep this handout for future reference.
Heroes are often of obscure or mysterious origin.
They may be sons of gods or royal parents. Their childhoods may be unusual; they may be left to die, but then rescued and brought up in poverty or isolation. Often, they do not discover their real parentage until they are older and can prove themselves through some act or sign of worth.
Heroes are not invincible.
Heroes, while they may be partly divine, are definitely human in their natures. They are subject to fear and danger; they are not immortal, but may suffer harm. Sometimes heroes are invulnerable except for one spot on each of their bodies. Also, sometimes heroes may only be defeated with one (1) particular weapon.
Heroes are called upon to make a journey or to follow a goal or quest.
Heroes frequently choose difficult or dangerous adventures. Sometimes they do not CHOOSE but are CHOSEN for the adventures. They labour for the good of others by ridding a land of a hideous monster or they seek to bring back to their people some object which has been lost or stolen. Their quests may not always be for something noble, but they follow through nobly and refuse to surrender.
The heroes ways are not always direct or clear to the heroes themselves.
The way or path of life is never clear. Thus, heroes frequently become lost or must take detours or solve riddles to find their way.
The heroes ways are beset with danger, loneliness and temptation.
Cruel kings, horrible monsters, dangerous seas all of these are physical dangers faced by heroes. Far more dangerous may be the feeling of isolation or alienation as heroes travel alone to foreign places. Heroes are often tempted to give up or give in. Temptations appeal to their senses rather than to their intellect when they are encouraged to rest, to eat a certain food or to drink a certain wine. Women often appear as the most dangerous temptation of all.
Many quest tales supply friends, servants or disciples as company for heroes.
When heroes are given companionship, they are often still alone because their friends or servants do not understand the quest or are not motivated by the sense of mission, but rather by friendship.
Heroes have guides.
Frequently, heroes receive help from unexpected sources, be they fairy godmothers or beautiful/ugly witches or sorceresses. The heroes may be given a magic potion or weapon or simply important information. Sometimes guides are limited by powers stronger than their own and, therefore, can only help up to a certain point.
Heroes descend into darkness and are not the same after emerging from it.
Usually, the final test of a hero is his descent, either physical or emotional, into some Hell-like place of suffering and/or death. The fear, loneliness or despair experienced by heroes is a type of death and rebirth which leads to enlightenment or maturity, changing heroes in some important ways.
What heroes seek is usually no more than a symbol of what they really find.
While the goal is usually something tangible, the success or achievement of that goal is somewhat more spiritual. The maturity or growth of heroes becomes more important than the actual object of their respective quests.
With few exceptions, mythological heroes are male.
While women may be equally courageous and noble, they are not often seen in the role of hero. Women provide protection, guidance and knowledge for the hero; they give him the secrets of life.
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