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.