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stereotypes in characters
stereotypes in characters
introduction of anti hero
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After reading through multiple sources discussing the meaning of the term anti-hero, it is clear that the term anti-hero seems to encompass a spectrum of behaviors and character types. There are the good boy anti-heroes, there are the psychopathic anti-heroes, and everything in between. In attempting to discover the meaning of the term anti-hero, I have discovered the following. On the bad boy end of the spectrum, exists the research of Crysel and his colleagues. For them, the anti-hero can be broken up into three different categories: the narcissist, the psychopath, and the machiavellian man. Each of these is actually a form of mental illness when taken beyond a certain point. For each of these sub-categories of the anti-hero, the study
The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry is a book by Jon Ronson, where he investigates the idea of psychopathy and the many individuals involved. Psychopathy is defined as “a person who is mentally ill, who does not care about other people, and who is usually dangerous or violent.” Ronson visited mental health professionals and psychopaths in order to determine the right way to control the diagnosis of mental health disorders. Throughout the novel, Ronson focuses on three main themes, which are the definition of madness, unnecessary mental diagnoses and the problem with confirmation bias.
...ung boy was getting mugged, he hesitated and thought about the consequences about what would come if he did help. He thought he was safe there and if he did hit one of them they would invade his home. So he decided to not compromise his safety and “set down the tile… and curled…into the shelter” He has cowardly and selfish characteristics which is what makes him an anti-hero because he is lacking the physical and mental characteristics a traditional hero would hold.
A hero can be defined by, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, as a character that exhibits courage and sacrifice for the greater good. Antigone can distinctly be identified as the hero in the story because
Ogloff, J. R. (2006). Psychopathy/antisocial personality disorder conundrum. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, (40), 519-528.
... is not simply defined by his/her strength or looks; it is also their inner strength and beauty that is truly important. A hero can have many qualities but when they show true understanding for something even without proper education, they are accepting of those around them, and breaking rules when the time is at its most important. While there are true heroes, there are also anti-heroes which have the opposite qualities that of the true hero. Furthermore, there are many kinds of heroes but a true hero is defined by inner qualities that of outer qualities.
An anti-hero has the role of a hero thrust upon them. They do not particularly want to be brave or noble but their actions lead them to be a hero. Facing difficult decisions and doubt are also classic traits of an anti-hero. They often lack confidence in themselves, refuse to accept their fate as a hero or don't even realise their status or ability. At a certain point, anti-heroes usually transcend into either a tragic or romantic hero. Anti-heroes can be identified in many different texts, however, all of them consist of those traits.
The term “Hero” has been used and advertised in films since before cinema even existed. Though the definition of a hero varies widely depending on the subject, most heroes are often praised for their bravery, strength, intelligence, and their will to stand up to evil and corruption.
To the world today, a hero is someone distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, or strength; but really, anyone can be a hero. A hero can vary from someone as well-known as George Washington to someone as unheard of as anyone’s very own mother. Someone who has done a good deed for someone else is hero. The biggest heroes are the ones in well-known books and plays, such as Odysseus from The Odyssey, or have made a huge difference in the history of this world, like Mahatma Gandhi. Siddhartha Gautama is a hero, but not in the same way Odysseus or Gandhi are. Although these three influential people went through different journeys in order to accomplish different things, they are all heroes in their own way and have been through the same cycle of the road of trials and crisis/salvation.
An anti-hero is the protagonist of a story who lacks some attributes almost always present in a hero, such as selflessness and mercy. Where the hero will save the antagonist at the end of the story if such an opportunity presents itself, the anti-hero will most likely leave his or her foe to rot and choose to forgo saving the life of an enemy. The anti-hero might go as far as to hasten the humiliation or death of said enemy to further her or his own agenda. In Euripides’ play, Medea, Medea shows aspects of an anti-hero in how she deals with her problems, such as manipulating others to save her own skin, cursing those who have wronged her and destroying them, and scarcely ever displaying heroic characteristics such as mercy and sympathy; even as she takes Jason’s only hope for solace away.
Fifty years ago, a person breaking the law would either be called crazy or a criminal. Today, the mental health community has much more specific diagnoses. However, the explanation of certain behaviors may be difficult because there is much overlap among mental conditions. In Bret Easton Ellis’ American Psycho, the protagonist, Patrick Bateman, is apparently simply a psychopath. However, Bateman can be diagnosed with other mental illnesses such as Asperger’s syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, narcissism, and antisocial personality disorder. In both the book and film adaptation, Bateman’s actions can be understood more accurately when analyzed in light of modern psychology.
When people think of heroes and villains they think of the characters who play these roles in cartoon movies like Batman and Spiderman, but in reality, anyone can be a hero and anyone can be a villain. Heroes are considered to be inspirational and bold because of what they do to help others. While villains are typically defined as a wicked or evil person who makes others feel helpless.
It is anything repeated in storytelling from ancient times to the present. “Some researchers have put efforts towards elaborating symbolic meanings on modern movies according to Jung’s theory” (Hauke and Alister 2001). Jung discovered many types of archetypes such as the hero, shadow figure, animal, mentor (old man), and mother. These characters can have a positive or a negative effect in the films myth. Mythologist Joseph Campbell was able to extend Jung’s concept of the hero archetype into the Hero Myth which is “a common structure in all mythical hero stories in different cultures and religion” (Chang 101). “They show who the hero is, what the hero needs, and how the story and character interact in order to create transformation” (Seger 335). The hero starts off as an average person living a normal life, but once something changes in the hero’s life, he begins his journey and becomes a changed man by the end of the story. “Out of the interaction between warrior and institution development the particular American archetype of the anti-hero, the character who rejects social codes in favor of his own” (House 67). Almost every film created has a good guy, and a bad guy which is the anti-hero archetype character who is the opposite of the hero due to them having a different view on the conflict that takes place in the film. Another version of the hero archetype is the heart of gold archetype which are heroes with a little more darkness than normal heroes. George Lucas was one of the first film makers to be inspired by Campbell’s work, and credited him for the making of Star Wars using many of his archetype
A great hero is often classified as such due to their outstanding ability to defeat opposition against all odds. The opposition may be a physical barrier, such as a barren desert they must cross; an emotional struggle, such as a mental illness or suffocating grief; or an antagonist who seeks to foil the hero’s plans at every stage. An antagonist, or villain, can add much depth and intrigue to a story, particularly through the reasoning behind their actions. Many villains are full of dark secrets and ulterior motives. The more formidable the enemy that a writer creates, the more heroic the protagonist becomes. The concept of heroes and villains is not always so clear cut, though. Sometimes a hero must use unjust means to accomplish their goals, or the villain may just be a misguided, tortured soul who deserves pity. In the case of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Black Cat, the protagonist, the story’s narrator, slowly forms into the villain of the tale. Poe’s story is unconventional in that it only contains the villain and his victims, lacking any substantial heroic figure. The reader is left with no one to root for and no surety that justice will prevail. The Black Cat is a dark story with a villain menacing enough to rival even the greatest of antagonists.
When I think of a hero I immediately think of someone who is strong, intelligent, handsome, and daring. Upon closer examination, many different qualities than these become apparent. Courage, honesty, bravery, selflessness, and the will to try are just a few of the overlooked qualities of a hero. The definition of heroism changes with the context and time. Heroes of the past are not necessarily heroes of present time and vise versa.
For a time, the main characters in a story, poem, or narrative were easily classified as either being a hero or a villain. A hero would be easy to identify by the traits he'd possess, such as bravery, honesty, selflessness, trustworthiness, courage, leadership, and more. The villain would be easy to identify as well, possessing traits such as maliciousness, deceitfulness, immorality, dark, wishing harm upon others, and more. But what if the character lacked the natural heroic qualities but wasn't a villain either? What if the person displayed personality flaws that would traditionally be associated with a villain, but has heroic intentions? These questions were finally answered with the emergence of the anti-hero in literature.