The Hero then and now

Modern day heroes are very different from heroes of the past yet, the basic structure and journey of a hero remain relatively similar in almost every way. Whether it is the Avengers, or the Odyssey, both follow the hero code. Also, both stories follow the hero’s journey, all be it with a different approach.  Finally both modern day and past hero stories have it, it is the hero, and breaking down the hero pound for pound, the similarities are astounding.

Since the dawn of time every hero has followed the hero’s code. First, a hero must be fearless, and strong willed, he must exhibit the qualities of a gentlemen and the qualities of a warrior. Second, a hero must put all other before him, and remain humble, for corruption in a hero can lead to their down fall. Now, the most important part of the hero’s code is that a hero must always defeat the villain. In the Avengers each hero is fearless, although some must learn humility and selflessness, in the end they all exhibit the traits that are made clear in the hero’s code. Also, each member of the Avengers team helps contribute to the heroic effort, and ultimately they defeat the evil. The Odyssey, both Odysseus and Telemachus are warriors; both are humble in their own way, although it was difficult both resist corruption. Finally, Odysseus and Telemachus reunite and find their way home.

Maybe the most well known archetype in a hero story is the hero’s journey. There are 12 steps in the journey, but a whole other essay could be written just on those steps. The hero starts off with humble beginnings, often coming from a poor family or no family at all. The hero then receives their call to adventure, almost always refusing at first the hero is either forced via guilt or a desire for revenge. Then fill in the blanks, he faces tests and challenges, makes enemies and acquaintances. All in all, the hero almost always winds up with a successful journey. All of these steps in a hero’s journey are followed no matter what comparison you make from any time period.

Last but not least a hero is a hero, no matter where they come from what their ability is, they all share this one common attribute, and that is the hero intangible.  This is not something that can be measured or weighted; it is something a character is either born with or without. This hero intangible is an explanation for why a hero does what he does, yes a hero endures a experience that inspires them, but they could easily say no. The desire and everlasting struggle to maintain peace and good throughout the world, is an impossible challenge, a challenge any real hero will embrace. Stan Lee said it best in his famous comic Spider Man, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

In conclusion regardless of the time period a hero is the same, they will always be entertaining, they will always be adored, and they will always be needed. It doesn’t matter if they come from literature or myth, from a page or from real life, remember heroes existed before they were written about.

Zeus perspective books 1-3

Zeus mocks at the mortals, s the constantly blame he and the gods for all the trouble in the land. Zeus ponders Odysseus and his troubled journey, showing mercy, Zeus allows Athena to help Telemachus. His reasons for doing so are these, he likes Odysseus, and he is the smartest, noblest, and fearless of mortals.  He tells Athena to disguise herself and to go to Telemachus to help him track down his father. Zeus knows his power and ability, along the way Zeus help inform Athena of what she must do to help Telemachus. So, during the meeting held by the suitors on Penelope’s marriage, Zeus instructs Athena to show them a warning. This warning is two eagles fighting. This means that Odysseus’s return is eminent, and that if the suitors do not back off they will be punished.

Athena disguised then travels with Telemachus to Pylos to meet with King Nestor. At Pylos, Zeus instructs Athena to give courage to Telemachus, as he confronts Nestor, for he will need it to earn respect, and show his seriousness. As Nestor tells Telemachus the recollection of the last time Odyseus was here Zeus ponders what he shall tell Athena to do next to help Telemachus. Nestor, the impressed by Telemachus, sends his son with him on a land journey to Sparta. Zeus then tells Athena to stay with Telemachus’s ship and crew for protection. Although Zeus is angered that Athena revealed he identity.

How the Rhino Earns its Horn

 In the vast Savanna there lived a rhinoceros by the name of Ryhan. Not your typical sized rhino, Ryhan was smaller than most other rhinos. Of course no matter how much Ryhan’s ability was doubted he didn’t care.  In a young rhinoceros’s life there is a time where he or she must earn their horn. On Ryhan’s 5^th Birthday, it was time for him to earn his horn, the one thing that made a Rhinoceros so special.

Now, earning your horn is no laughing matter.  It’s a rigorous challenge that leaves no prisoners. Yet, if a rhino is to pass the test, he will live out the life of a prideful happy rhino. On the other hand, the punishment for failure was terrible.  Should a rhino not to pass their test, they would be banished to the dirty mud puddles of the Savanna; stripped of all pride and respect. Then, he or she would live the life of a disgusting angry wallowing hippo. Ryhan knew the scenario well.  Throughout his whole life, his family had made it quite apparent as to what was expected of him.

Finally, the day arrived.  It was time for Ryhan to begin his challenge.   He was up against all odds.  Ryhan was a small rhino. He wasn’t the strongest, and he defiantly wasn’t the smartest, but he had the will and desire to succeed. The test consisted of three challenges; no one knew what these challenges were for they were chosen by the Gods of the Savanna. His family wished him luck, as he carefully treaded through the dark wooden challenge gates; gates that very few rhinos ever see again.

As soon as the gates closed Ryhan looked forward WHOOSH, he was in the wide open plains of the Savanna. Out of nowhere came the Great Gazelle,” Ah Ryhan we have been awaiting your arrival” said the great Gazelle. Ryhan said nothing but nodded in recognition.       “Your first challenge is to catch me.” said the gazelle. “And it starts now.” In a flash the gazelle was off, Ryhan knew that he would never catch a gazelle in straight line so as he ran he devised the plan, to try to trick the gazelle. He thought to himself, that if he could just get the gazelle wedged in between the river and the thicket, he could corner the gazelle and catch him. Instead of chasing him Ryhan crouched and waited in the tall grass, the gazelle assumed victory and started to slow.

Yet, slowly but surely Ryhan crawled around the gazelle now facing the river and the thicket. Now having the perfect angle and seeing his point of attack, Ryhan charged. Shocked the gazelle desperately ran without any regards as to where he was going, and before he knew it he was water’s edge. He looked left right, nothing but thicket and water. As the Great Gazelle looked forward, he felt the steamy hot breath of a tired rhino, knowing that he had been beat the gazelle bowed his head and spoke. “You have defeated me fair and square you have much pride.” As Ryhan began to thank gazelle the very tip of a horn grew from his head.

Before the flick of his tail, Ryhan found himself face to face with a massive silver back gorilla; this was undoubtedly the great god of the Apes, Silver. “We will see who strongest” Silver said, “Whoever get most bananas down from tree is winner” Silver then walked over to a banana tree grabbed hold of it a shook. “Woo woo woo hoo” he yelled as all the bananas from the tree fell except for one. Ryhan immediately knew what to do; he will not try to out muscle Silver he will try out think him just as he did Gazelle. Ryhan started to grind his horn tip against the base of the tree. Silver and his apes began to scoff and laugh at Ryhan, little did they know, Ryhan was taking a much different approach. The sharp tip of his horn started to gnaw away at the tree. After much hysterics and cackling, Silver and his apes heard a loud thud. The tree had been cut down, and in disbelief Silver was stunned. “I am defeated more of horn you will receive” Silver spoke with a heavy heart.

Exhausted, weak and tired Ryhan stood in the pitch black darkness. Instantly a pair of yellow eyes sparked from the darkness, and a deep low voice growled. “So close yet so far.” Out of the moon light stepped the god Tsavo. Tsavo was the mightiest, strongest, fastest, smartest, most blood thirsty lion the earth had ever known.

Although terrified out of his mind, Ryhan remained motionless, not trembling, nor shaking. He stood as authoritative and tall as he could, unwilling to show any sign of weakness. In a dark low tone Tsavo spoke “This challenge will not only test your speed, strength, and intelligence, but it will also test your heart, will and desire for survival.” “I know what you’ve been told.” he snarled “That failure will merely result in the disgusting transformation of a hippo”. Tsavo declared, “Yet when you challenge me it is life or death.” Rhino said nothing, just gave his node. “Here is what you must do.” He said “You must travel back to the gate of whence you came, during your journey I will stalk find you and kill you.” Tsavo roared “If for some reason you survive, and reach the gate you will receive the rest of your horn, you have a two hour head start…. GO!!!! Tsavo roar boomed like thunder. In complete panic, Ryhan darted off in distress.

  Ryhan knew he had to get all of his two hour head start, and for two hours he plowed through the jungle foliage. Finally he made it to the big banana tress of the apes he was heading the right way. Trudging through the trees, Ryhan spotted a lion claw mark. Tsavo was ahead of him. Ryhan realized he was being toyed with for Tsavo it was all a sick game. Keeping his eyes and ears open, Ryhan finally made through the jungle. The bright red orange African sun started to rise; Ryhan could clearly see that he was in the savanna grass where he fist started. Bruised, battered and just about done for, Ryhan gave one last effort. He sprinted and sprinted for miles, through what seemed to be endless spans of Savanna plains. There it was, he could see it, the gate. Ryhan wouldn’t stop couldn’t stop he kept going. Out of the corner of his eye the tall grass rustles, paw prints are already on the ground where Tsavo has been planning out his ambush. A thick line of Savanna bushes and thicket stood about 100 meters from the gate. There were three passage ways through the grass to the gate. Ryhan had to think quickly for his life depended on it. Somehow it hit him; Ryhan realized each passage way was doomed for failure the only way to get passed was to charge through the thicket. Regardless of size of strength, it was his only way out. Full speed, hooves trampling, head down, Ryhan blasted through the thicket. Out from behind the passages Tsavo roared in anger. Ryhan ran Tsvao chased. Ryhan could reach out and touch the gate, Tsavo right behind him he leaped Ryhan dove colliding at the dark gates exit, Ryhan reaches and……….

The Anti-Hero

An archetype is a universal symbol, it is something that would be recognized all across the globe. Created by the minds of humans, and adopted by the minds of others, these reoccurring symbols always find their way into literature, films, and life in general. A very common archetype that shows up everywhere is the anti hero.

An anti hero is defined as one who does not fit the typical mold of a hero. The definition of an anti hero doesn't give it justice, an anti hero is much more than a hero who doesn't follow the hero guidelines. The anti hero is character specific, that means the anti hero is character's interpretation of a hero. So for example a non heroic character when put in the hero's role, becomes that characters interpretation of a hero, and thus the anti hero is born.
In the film Terminator the chaotic killer robot played by Arnold Schwarzenegger was sent back in time from human versus terminator war. Arnold's mission was to kill the soon to be mother of a  boy, this boy was John Conner, the future leader of the human resistance, that would later defeat the robots and reconquer earth.   Although the tables turn in Terminator II, Schwarzenegger is no longer trying to kill Conner he is there to protect him from other terminators also sent back in time.
Set up in the perfect anti hero position, Schwarzenegger protects Conner by any means necessary no matter what the cost. Archetypes show up any and every where, some people even say they are part of human instinct to know heroes villains. Yet one thing is for certain they are one of literatures mysteries that can be traced back all the way to the times of the Ancient Greek and beyond.