More on the notion myths and heroes

Myths and Heroes

Myths are stories that are based on tradition. Some may have factual origins, while others are completely fictional, but myths are just as important to us today as in ancient cultures because they help explain the world and man’s experience. They help to answer questions, they reassure us and sometimes even give people hope. The subjects of myths are usually based on topics such as birth, death, the origin of man, good and evil and the nature of man himself.

Myths are not always optimistic – they can also be a form of warning. In this way we can consider them to be instructive and a sort of guide to social norms. They tell us how we should and should not behave. They can be used to justify choices when times are hard.

Just like myths, heroes can be real or completely fictional. A hero can be a mythological figure, a person who is admired for his or her achievements, a superhero or maybe a role model or an icon. Heroes are people we can look up to, people we would like to ressemble – whether they are sports personalities or political figures. A hero is not necessarily someone famous, it can be a member of our family or circle of friends. Someone we simply admire.

Heroes lead, inspire, and entertain the masses. This is why heroes, with all their mistakes and shortcomings, are vital to humanity. Heroic stereotypes can be considered to be unrealistic and outdated, but heroes show how vital they are to society when they inspire younger generations to do great things, and when heroes influence movements toward the improvement of humanity.

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myth (oxford dictionary)

1. a story from ancient times, especially one that was told to explain natural events or to describe the early history of a people; this type of story  legend

• ancient Greek myths
•  a creation myth (= that explains how the world began)

Function of a Hero

A hero is the major character of a narrative. 

In classical sense, the hero is not only involved in dangerous adventures or wars, but also in feats and exploits of unparalleled courage and bravery. He possesses extraordinary mental faculties and physical abilities. He takes the narrative long with him to the end that is usually his victory or, in some cases, his death. 

However, a modern hero plays a complex role in facing mental dilemmas, as he is an ordinary man intended to bring out complex modern psychological issues, a modern man faces. 

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Here are just a few examples that could be used to illustrate this notion:

• Founding myths of the United States (Pilgrim Fathers, the Constitution, Thanksgiving)
• the American Dream – stories about those how have succeeded but also reasons to believe that it is simply a myth : the American Dream is dead
• Heroes or fallen heroes of the Vietnam War that are portrayed in American films (Platoon, Born on the 4th July, Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket)
• National leaders or figures who can be considered as heroes: Queen Elizabeth II, Obama, Mandela, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Malala Yousafzi …..
• Pop stars or sports heroes (and fallen idols)
• American movies : superheroes such as Superman or Captain America and their role in society: why do Americans love superheroes?

the heroes we are dealing with in unit 8 : heroes in British literature:

• Famous British film characters: Sherlock Holmes, James Bond

• British heroes or heroines: Churchill, Florence Nightingale, Stephen Hawking…..
• British myths and legends: Robin Hood, King Arthur, the Loch Ness Monster