The Concept of the Hero Has Been Devalued in Modern Times
This speech will explain how the concept of the hero has been devalued in modern times. I will show that the main reason for this devaluation is that the definition of what constitutes a hero has become a lot broader.
To support my argument I will use following people, all sometimes descried as heroes: Theseus, Nelson Mandela and good old Shane Warne.
Traditionally heroes were defined as a person, typically a man, who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. These were people who became/were committed to the adventure, without doubts, always bravely going ahead and usually, and yes I say usually self motivated. The reason I say this are because there are plenty of heroes that needed motivation from external sources.
A “traditional hero” is someone like Theseus. Theseus proved to be a hero from a young age. He saved his people from having to give up children at a regular basis to the Minotaur after slaying it in the labyrinth. He also performed many other amazing feats. Although a great hero, Theseus had many flaws such as being forgetful, e.g. forgetting to change the sail on his boat as he returned from the Minotaur’s lair causing his father to commit suicide.
If we compare Theseus to someone like Nelson Mandela it is hard to say that the concept of the hero has been devalued in modern times. Nelson Mandela can be viewed as someone as a “catalyst hero” meaning that he is a central figure who acts heroically, he doesn’t change much himself and his main function is to bring about justice and change in others. He did this by getting rid of apartheid in South Africa. He can also be referred to as a “traditional hero in some ways” because he was admired for his courage and achievements. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison and as he was released he forgave the people who had made life a misery and once he became president he could easily have locked them up but he didn’t. He forgave them and others who had oppressed
To support my argument I will use following people, all sometimes descried as heroes: Theseus, Nelson Mandela and good old Shane Warne.
Traditionally heroes were defined as a person, typically a man, who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. These were people who became/were committed to the adventure, without doubts, always bravely going ahead and usually, and yes I say usually self motivated. The reason I say this are because there are plenty of heroes that needed motivation from external sources.
A “traditional hero” is someone like Theseus. Theseus proved to be a hero from a young age. He saved his people from having to give up children at a regular basis to the Minotaur after slaying it in the labyrinth. He also performed many other amazing feats. Although a great hero, Theseus had many flaws such as being forgetful, e.g. forgetting to change the sail on his boat as he returned from the Minotaur’s lair causing his father to commit suicide.
If we compare Theseus to someone like Nelson Mandela it is hard to say that the concept of the hero has been devalued in modern times. Nelson Mandela can be viewed as someone as a “catalyst hero” meaning that he is a central figure who acts heroically, he doesn’t change much himself and his main function is to bring about justice and change in others. He did this by getting rid of apartheid in South Africa. He can also be referred to as a “traditional hero in some ways” because he was admired for his courage and achievements. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison and as he was released he forgave the people who had made life a misery and once he became president he could easily have locked them up but he didn’t. He forgave them and others who had oppressed