A Hero’s Adventure

The term “hero” comes from Greek mythology, where the child is the result of the union between a human and a god or goddess. Superhuman characteristics and exceptional feats of bravery, strength, and military endeavor frequently display a hero, so the term “hero” means anyone displaying exceptional traits. A hero in literature goes through a long journey or many events and in the end saves someone or accomplishes something. A hero always stays alive because that person has to complete a task or duty in the end. There are many differences and similarities between heroes of the past and present. Heroes exist everywhere, in the past, present, and future.

Heroes existed in the past, and one of the best heroes of all time was Odysseus from Homer’s The Odyssey. “A man, one who was never at a loss,” from Homer’s The Odyssey. Odysseus was a man who was witty and sly and always managed to get himself out of danger. Odysseus, son of Laertes, always came outranked everyone and could never be beaten. “He had traveled far in the world, after the sack of Troy, the virgin fortress; he saw many cities of men, and learnt their mind; he endured many troubles and hardships in the struggle to save his own life and to bring back his men safe to their homes,” from Homer’s The Odyssey. Odysseus, King of Ithaca, went through many vigorous adventures to reach home and to set balance and harmony through his home and Ithaca. Throughout Odysseus’ many adventures, he learns a lesson, and with that lesson he becomes wiser both mentally and physically. As this hero progresses through his journeys, he becomes more judicious and therefore makes better choices throughout his life.

In present day, heroes exist, however there are different issues to be taken care of, such as in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. “The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two whiteness whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant ids not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is,” from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus, the defendant’s lawyer, proves to be a hero by even wanting to defend a black man in the court of law. He displays courage and bravery, but he knows the truth must come out. “Miss Jean Louise?” I looked around. They were all standing. All around us, and in the balcony on the opposite wall, the Negroes were getting to their feet. Reverend Sykes’s voice was as distant as Judge Taylor’s: ‘Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’,” from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus is working as hard as he can to help Tom Robinson and the audience is recognizing his efforts. Atticus strives to show his children and the audience the meaning of the truth and is willing to put himself on the line for someone else. Atticus is going against the odds when he defends a black man, but his courage and truth prove worthy in the courtroom.

In the future, things become more advanced, but the problems are always the same. “Luke, may the force be with you.” Obi Won Kanobi tells Luke, from George Lucas’s Stars Wars, that the force needs to be with him, to become a Jedi warrior and battle the dark forces of the empire. Luke shows determination and bravery by trying to learn the way of the force and use it against the almighty empire. “Luke, you are brave and loyal, just as your father was,” from George Lucas’s Stars Wars. Luke journeys to many places trying to find a way to rescue Princess Laya. Luke exhibits courage, bravery, and strength and becomes wiser and more like a Jedi warrior through his adventures. Luke becomes more like his father and develops personally as an individual.

The characteristics of a hero do not change through different eras, however the issues or problems do change. In the past, Odysseus journeyed through many adventures to reach his home. In the present, Atticus helped a black man in trial, a task that no other would do. In the future, Luke Skywalker battled an empire of evil and became a Jedi warrior. Through time, heroes have their same characteristics, just different issues or weapons. Each hero accomplished a vigorous task and received the benefits of their hard work. Heroes exist in every time period, the past, present, and future.