The Hero Essay -- essays research papers

The HeroA gunslinger is not incisively the title of an action-packed kung-fu flick with subtitles. A hero these days has humankindy meanings depending on the time and reason that person is called a hero.According to Websters 9th New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition becomes very broad. It starts as being a mythological or legendary figure often of divine derivation endowed with great strength or ability and becomes a man admired for his achievements and noble qualities. The last definition listed is probably the most current of the many, being an object of extreme admiration and devotion. These definitions are in the identical order as listed in the dictionary, alone also seem to be chronologically listed as well, because overtime the meaning of the word hero coiffe its self to the people using it. Thus, the definition of a hero changes parallel to the evolution of society, religion, and politics, in order to placate the desires of the people involved.If we tint back, over a thousand old age ago before Christianity became the all-powerful religion of the West, we hear of stories of heroes being passed down orally from generation to generation. In Beowulf we have this invincible brute tearing the limbs off of hideous comrade Grendel, all in the name of fame and glory. A few hundred years later, when Sir Gawain and the Green Knight was jotted down, we still have people being dismembered, but our character traits have changed a little. Sir Gawain is not the c...