While many different hero stories can be found in all regions of the world, there are similar underlying ideas in all of them, that suggest that the hero themselves are more so an embodiment of the culture and its ideas then an individual in themselves. Most hero’s are found to have the fallowing characteristics in common; bravery, altruistic, visionary, focus, determination, ambition, fatal flaw, wisdom, and honesty.
Real life hero’s are often more of an individual, and therefore do not have as many of the same attributed as the stereotypical hero. For example, in the news recently, there was a man who lived near a cliff well known for the many suicides that happened there every year. In response, the man (who lived very close to the cliff), saved many suicidal people from jumping by restraining them (in his younger days, of course), asking what he could personally do to help, and offered a cold glass of beer or tea to those willing to step away from the cliff. This man is undoubtedly a hero, but does not posses some of the common traits (ambition and vision for example) of a typical hero. To read more about his story http://www.businessinsider.com/the-australian-man-who-stopped-as-many-as-500-people-from-jumping-off-a-cliff-passed-away-2012-5
On the other hand, fictional characters almost always posses all the qualities of a hero, because they are created as such. It is much easier to write and elude to a hero fictionally, because it allows the author of their (the hero’s) story to consider and include information in the hero’s personality that reflects whatever they are specifically trying to portray.
However, both fictional and nonfictional hero’s always bring a sense of peace into light, even if there is a tragedy to themselves or a companion along the way, the cost of peace and fulfillment is always more important (for example, the man who saved people from jumping probably meant with some resistance at one encounter or another, but did not give up…..fictionally, the main character from Pan’s labyrinth loses fairy companions to an evil creature, but still accomplishes her goal in the end)
Heroes can be harmful to society, if they have the wrong ideas in mind. For example, using strength or drugs to try to forcefully prevent someone from doing something, may bring more harm then intended, even if one’s heart is in the right place in trying to prevent something.
Being completely honest, I don’t have “hero’s” in my life……I’ve been through some things (and are still experiencing), that have pushed me away from being trusting and dependent on others, and have yet to find someone I can label as a hero…
AutumnViolet 