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Hero Traits

Heroes often have mysterious origins and unusual childhoods. While they may have divine qualities, heroes are ultimately human - capable of fear, harm, and death. Heroes frequently embark on difficult quests or adventures to help others by defeating monsters or retrieving lost objects. Their paths are unclear and fraught with dangers from cruel kings to temptation. Heroes receive guidance from unexpected sources but ultimately face their greatest challenges alone in descending into darkness, which changes them through enlightenment. Ultimately, the hero's growth matters more than any tangible goal.

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26 views1 page

Hero Traits

Heroes often have mysterious origins and unusual childhoods. While they may have divine qualities, heroes are ultimately human - capable of fear, harm, and death. Heroes frequently embark on difficult quests or adventures to help others by defeating monsters or retrieving lost objects. Their paths are unclear and fraught with dangers from cruel kings to temptation. Heroes receive guidance from unexpected sources but ultimately face their greatest challenges alone in descending into darkness, which changes them through enlightenment. Ultimately, the hero's growth matters more than any tangible goal.

Uploaded by

jena.eberspacher
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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How to Identify a Hero

Read the following Heroic Characteristics as suggested by Peter R. Stillman in Introduction to Myth.

Heroes are often of obscure or mysterious origin. They may be sons of gods or of royal parents. Their
childhood may be unusual; they may be left to die but then rescued and brought up in poverty or isolation.
Often they do not discover their real parentage until they are older and can prove themselves through
some sign,

Heroes are neither fools nor invincible.


The heroes, while they may be partly divine, are definitely human in their natures. They are subject to fear
and danger; they are not immortal but may suffer harm. Sometimes the hero is invulnerable except for
one spot on his body or he may be defeated with only one particular weapon.

Heroes are called upon to make a journey or to follow a goal or quest. Heroes frequently choose
difficult or dangerous adventures. Sometimes they do not choose, but are chosen for the adventure. They
labor for the good of others by ridding a land of a hideous monster or they seek to bring back to their
people some object which has been lost or stolen. Their quests may not always be for something noble,
but they follow through nobly and refuse to surrender.

The hero's way is not always direct or clear to him. The way or path of life is never clear, thus the
hero frequently becomes lost or must take a detour or solve a riddle.

The hero's way is beset with dangers, loneliness, and temptation. - Cruel kings, horrible monsters,
dangerous seas-all these are physical dangers faced by the hero. But far more dangerous may be the
feeling of isolation or alienation as the here goes far from home alone. He is often tempted to give up or
give in. Temptations appeal to his senses rather than to his intellect when he is encouraged to rest, or eat
a certain food, or drink a certain wine. Women often appear as the most dangerous temptation of all.
Many quest tales supply friends, servants, or disciples as company for the hero. When the hero is
given companionship, he is often still alone because the friend or servant does not understand the quest
or is not motivated by the sense of mission but by friendship.

The hero has a guide or guides. Frequently the hero receives help from unexpected sources be they
fairy godmothers or beautiful/ ugly witches or sorceresses. He may be given a magic potion or weapon or
simply information. Sometimes the guide is limited by powers stronger than his own and therefore he can
only help up to a certain point.

The hero descends into darkness and is not the same after emerging from the darkness.. Usually
the final test of the hero is his descent, either physical or emotional, into some Hell-like place of suffering
or death. The fear, loneliness, or despair experienced by the hero is a type of death-rebirth which leads to
enlightenment or maturity, changing the hero in some important way.

What the hero seeks is usually no more than a symbol of what he really finds. While the goal is
usually something tangible, the success or achievement of that goal is somewhat more spiritual. The
maturity or growth of the hero becomes more important than the actual object of the quest.

With few exceptions, mythological heroes are male. While women may be equally courageous and
noble, they are not often seen in the role of hero. Women provide protection, guidance, and knowledge
for the hero; they give him the secrets of life.

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