Characteristics Of Heroes

Heroes come in different shapes, sizes, and looks. Maybe someone you saw on the street one day was heroic for saving someone’s life in a car accident. A hero to me is someone who can be brave in situations that aren’t so safe, and take a risk to make sure everyone is okay, no matter who

“It’s not true that there are no heroes anymore…” (Oliver Stone SB 63) Heroes. Today when we hear heroes we think of superheroes with powers. but have we really thought what heroes really are? Heroes are your regular everyday people that work to the best of their abilities to make a difference in the world. A hero is not someone who thinks about themselves but someone who does things that they believe are right and are admired or idealized for their courage.

Heroes do extraordinary things and often tend to be people or figures we place on a pedestal whom often have made inspirational sacrifices (Allison and Goethals 24-25). Heroes as courageous, selfless and skillful humanitarians. They can be extraordinary athletes or even someone who gives the gift of time and or sacrifice (Allison and Goethals 26-30). Fictional heroes are described as self-confident, suave, extremely virtuous, and attractive.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles”(Christopher Reeve). Still to this day, heroes are portrayed as people who risk their lives in order to help others, but is that what a hero really is? A hero can also be somebody who is loyal, honest, and selfless, and they don’t necessarily have to risk their lives for others. Furthermore, everyday heroes are the people who influence the world such as a mother and father, who are heroes to their kids, to doctors and surgeons who are always saving lives.

Gerard way once said Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary. A hero doesn't have to fly, run fast or have a superpower; actually anyone can be a hero from superman to that little child who knows nothing about the world. What really makes a hero is the dedication in helping the others, he is someone who is selfless, generous, has the urge to help the others whatever it costs, and the wisdom to give his life to something bigger. There are several historic stories that proof that heroes exist in our life and they are ordinary people who consecrate their life to make others life better like Dalai Lama, Stephen Hawking, Oprah Winfrey and Martin Luther King all of these persons got the ability to change the world and leave their mark and became others heroes without even having a super power.

Heroes don’t have to be superheroes. Not all heroes save a whole city from danger or defeat an evil villain, but a hero can do something as simple as make someone's day or be a friend with someone who doesn't have any friends. Heroes are more than just a superhero and those heroes are courageous and brave to save others in need. You can find these heroes in your everyday world, but not all of them are as popular as others. Heroism is the great bravery of all these heroes and what they do to stand up for others or themselves with a humbleness in their actions. A hero can range from being a police officer, fictional character, or it can also be someone who serves in the military.

Everyone has somehow been a hero to someone, in one point of their life, even though they may not have known at the time or was recognized for it. They may have shown heroic qualities or stood up for someone, maybe even for people who were too shy to do it themselves. Heroes are quick-thinking, determined people that put the needs of others before themselves, like Rosa Parks because of her refusal to move seats on the bus. But, heroes don’t wear capes or special costumes, like in movies, they are just typical, ordinary people. Heroes are quick-thinking, determined people, that put the needs of others before themselves.

Many have tried to describe what a hero should be but who really is a hero? Heroism isn’t just possessing great qualities like enormous physical strength and being extremely powerful. Rather, it is the conviction to put other people’s needs ahead of one’s own. A hero is considered to be someone who is strong, brave and honorable who shares our beliefs and is ready to stand up for what is good, noble and just. Many such heroes have existed and they continue to arise time and time again.

“Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.”(Gerard Way) When someone is a hero, they do not give up and help others. Heroes do not worry about themselves or satisfying everyone. They focus on doing what is right for others and trying their best in everything that they do. Although being a hero does not always involve having powers or a cape, heroes make difficult sacrifices for others and are normal people whose actions often go unnoticed.

Heros are willing to help no matter the situation. There way a guy on a French train with a Luger automatic pistol with extra ammo, but was tackled, beaten and tied up before he could do harm to anyone. He was a hero by tackling an armed person to save lives by risking his. Frederick Douglas was a former slave who was afraid to talk to anyone in fear of being captured. He said, “I was afraid to speak to anyone for fear of speaking to the wrong one and thereby falling into the hands of money loving kidnappers whose business it was to lie in wait for the panting fugitive as the ferocious beasts of the forest lie in wait for their prey.” SB, page 71. He helped get rid of slavery which is a big heroic act. There were boats in danger of falling buildings. One of the boatman said, “Were are a big orange target in the middle of the target. In conclusion they all went beyond what a normal person would do.

Oliver Stone once wrote, who he saw his heroes as“ Sciences who spend years of their lives trying to find cures...The inner-city kid who works at McDonald’s instead of selling drugs. The kid who stands alone instead of joining a gang, which would give him instant identity...People who take risks despite fears. People in wheelchairs who don't give up…”. (SB, pg.64) Heroes are people who choose the right no matter the situation. Making sacrifices for others benefit, being determined to rise over challenges, and not being perfect instead making mistakes are just some of the traits that make a hero.

“Heroes are everyday, common people. Most of what they do goes unheralded, unappreciated. And that, ironically, is heroism: not to be recognized” (Oliver Stone pg. 73). Heroism doesn’t offer recognition or rewards, in fact, most heroes go unnoticed by the public. People are heroes because they care about problems that might not affect them, but may affect other people in a harmful way. Heroes can be afraid, but over time they have to overcome their fears and achieve what they are shooting for. They are never selfish, and are always looking out for others, even if that means they have to go out of their way to help someone. Heroism always means determination, and always continuing to push through the hard obstacles in life that they might

“Hard times don’t create heroes, their actions do.” (Unknown) This quote shows that anyone has the potential to be a hero, but only the people who follow through and use that potential are true heroes. They are incredibly important aspects of society and we would be lost without them. Heroes are the type of people who risk their lives for others and they are willing to help anyone no matter the situation or it’s possible consequences. A hero demonstrates leadership and they are calm under pressure, but don’t try to be selfish and they don’t put their own safety before others’.

What are heroes? Well, today in our strong society, we think of heroes as super beings who save the entire world from massive destruction. Although, these types of heroes would be enjoyable to have, we forget that these superheroes are just mere fictional characters played by big film stars. Now, let’s go back to our original question with a slight change to it: What are real heroes? Think long and hard about this question and run a few answers through your head. Well, if you don’t know the correct answer, then just picture a human being who is just as normal as you. This person works at a certain job different from you, or maybe the same as yours, and comes home to a family or is just single. But then one day this person does something valorous in order to save lives or a life.

Everyone has their own idea of what a hero is and what a hero does. Most people think that guys like superman and batman are heroes because they have incredible superpowers and they are famous people who receive glory. Many people describe heroes as strong and indestructible people, however, heroes are actually not always famous and they are not always the way that society portrays them. In fact, most heroes are ordinary people who do extraordinary things and have notable traits for society to follow. Although heroes are mostly overlooked or misinterpreted by many people, a hero is always a courageous, selfless, and persistent person who has the determination to create change for the better.