A Hero Defined

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A hero is defined as "a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Popular denotation describes a hero being someone with super powers. Superman I believe is a perfect example of what many will call a super hero. He has super strength; x-ray vision, super hearing, and he can fly. All of these characteristics easily fit the picture for hero. The Greek people had a different point of view of what they thought to be a hero:
. “The hero is also a literary figure, of course, but here, too, we need caution so that we do not misapply our own cultural ideas and standards to the ancient Greek hero. A key part to the narrative of the hero's life is that s/he undergoes some sort of ordeal. The hero, who is mortal, not immortal like the gods, must suffer during his or her lifetime, and, significantly, must die. Only after death can the hero receive immortalization in cult and in song. The hero must struggle against the fear of death, in order to achieve the most perfect death.”
My personal interpretation of such person would be related to the dictionary meaning. A hero doesn't need super powers to be a hero. He or she only needs to do heroic acts and have courage. Martin Luther King Jr is a hero in a lot of eyes. He stood up for what is right and for the equality of men. His actions helped launch the civil rights movement. Also, let us not forget the great Nelson Mandela for his heroism. His determinative spirit helped end the racial segregation in South Africa. The most important hero figures in my life are my parents. I used to always tell my dad, “I want to be like you when I grow up". My father was always helping people by giving them money, food, or othe...

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...e realize that even though I was in the United States Navy, I have not yet encountered anything in comparison. I have been to Afghanistan, but nothing compared to what happened to him that day in his life.
A hero is not always the most obvious person that we perceive them to be. Most are hidden behind a certain persona like Bruce Wayne and his alter ego Batman, or even Clark Kent and his alter ego Superman. The hero is a persona taken by an individual during the time of duress to aid another. It could be as simple as helping elderly people cross between intersections or being a positive role model in a young childs life. The most important thing about a hero are qualities pertaining to this feat is lodged inside of all of us. Ask yourself, what can I do to make my community or another individual’s life better? I bet you will find out that you are a hero to someone.

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