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What makes a memorable hero?
- Thread starter Jinn_Ku
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True love waits in haunted attics
Someone who overcomes a memorable conflict.
What is memorable reflects one's values; thus, to find a hero memorable to your audience would involve something that reflect's the audience's values. The hero is the person the audience can see himself in overcoming conflicts the audience also has difficulties with, or can see itself having difficulties with -- which is to say, something feared.
What is memorable reflects one's values; thus, to find a hero memorable to your audience would involve something that reflect's the audience's values. The hero is the person the audience can see himself in overcoming conflicts the audience also has difficulties with, or can see itself having difficulties with -- which is to say, something feared.
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A hero is much more than a person overcoming a conflict. Protagonists and heroes, while coincidentally the same most of the time, can also be different. If you mean a hero as in the main character, or "the good guy", then a conflict may be enough. As long as the hero does not have the means to solve his problem at the beginning of the story and has to grow as a person to achieve those means, then the conflict may itself be enough to make the hero memorable.
The true characteristics that mark a hero in the reader's mind is the personality. If he does not have a certain wit or charm about him (or her) then the character will be overshadowed by supporting players in the story or simply deemed uninteresting or boring. Whether the hero is headstrong or passive doesn't matter, as long as he is portrayed in a way that makes the reader eager to see how he'll handle the next situation.
And then, if you were to take Hero in the most idealistic sense, it requires only one thing: sacrifice. A memorable hero is willing to go to any odds, and sacrifice all of his time, energy, and spirit to aid those in need.
The true characteristics that mark a hero in the reader's mind is the personality. If he does not have a certain wit or charm about him (or her) then the character will be overshadowed by supporting players in the story or simply deemed uninteresting or boring. Whether the hero is headstrong or passive doesn't matter, as long as he is portrayed in a way that makes the reader eager to see how he'll handle the next situation.
And then, if you were to take Hero in the most idealistic sense, it requires only one thing: sacrifice. A memorable hero is willing to go to any odds, and sacrifice all of his time, energy, and spirit to aid those in need.
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True love waits in haunted attics
I never said a hero was specifically a person who overcame conflict: I said what makes heroes memorable are memorable conflicts.
A person can have remarkable personality, but until he has something to "defeat" whether physically or metaphysically, how can you call him a hero? The very term suggests the necessity. One would not be able to differentiate between, say, Tolstoy's Shinshin, who was remarkably witty and memorable precisely because of this, and Tolstoy's Pierre, who overcame his aesthetic lifestyle through many difficulties (involving being captured by the French). Who is the hero? Pierre. Why? Because he overcame a conflict.
A person can have remarkable personality, but until he has something to "defeat" whether physically or metaphysically, how can you call him a hero? The very term suggests the necessity. One would not be able to differentiate between, say, Tolstoy's Shinshin, who was remarkably witty and memorable precisely because of this, and Tolstoy's Pierre, who overcame his aesthetic lifestyle through many difficulties (involving being captured by the French). Who is the hero? Pierre. Why? Because he overcame a conflict.
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pretty much what everyone else has already said but my favorite heros are the ones that have flaws. like they have to overcome the external conflict as well as any personal or internal conflicts.
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Blessed-one
a long journey ahead
same sentiment with owl.
a character who overcomes his own problems and going beyond himself to help others (in a larger scenario)
a character who overcomes his own problems and going beyond himself to help others (in a larger scenario)
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avatarblade2000
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A good hero...
...is sympathetic (makes you feel for him)
...is empathetic (relate with him, since you've been in a similar situation)
...matures in one way or another thoughout the story
...has a humanity about him (even if he's a Martian or a moleman or something)
...isn't invincible (even if he is a superman, he still needs kryptonite, if you know what I mean)
...supports/is analogous to a certain cause that the intended audience can relate to easilly (Christianity, for example)
...is sympathetic (makes you feel for him)
...is empathetic (relate with him, since you've been in a similar situation)
...matures in one way or another thoughout the story
...has a humanity about him (even if he's a Martian or a moleman or something)
...isn't invincible (even if he is a superman, he still needs kryptonite, if you know what I mean)
...supports/is analogous to a certain cause that the intended audience can relate to easilly (Christianity, for example)
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have to overcome the external conflict as well as any personal or internal conflicts.
...is sympathetic (makes you feel for him)
...is empathetic (relate with him, since you've been in a similar situation)
...matures in one way or another thoughout the story
...has a humanity about him (even if he's a Martian or a moleman or something)
...isn't invincible (even if he is a superman, he still needs kryptonite, if you know what I mean)
...supports/is analogous to a certain cause that the intended audience can relate to easilly (Christianity, for example)
Look at how people feel about Tom Cruise. Some people are revved by his arrogance and fearlessness, while others are annoyed by his surety and cockiness. He has a humanity, but not quite enough to attract everyone. (Sorry, Tom--I'm sure you've heard this before.)
Then look at how Gyllenhaal played Spiderman, and writers depicted him. He was a victim to his own powers. Character development included taking responsibility for his potential, fighting for what he wanted in life, admitting error while using his powers carelessly, sacrificing what he wanted for the common good. He might have appeared too passive to some viewers, but took on maturity and assertiveness as the film progressed.
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When I think of a hero, I think of someone who stands up for another person in a conflict- not solving their problem for them but helping them through their situation.
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Paladin Dave
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I have to agree with the external and internal conflict thing, but one of my favorite things in reading a book, or watching a movie, or playing a game, as far as heroes are concerned, are heroes who left me wishing I was like them. Not like in the sense of physical abilities, but virtues and willpower, but at the same time, having them be human. People who will throw their lives in harm's way to save another, yet will never turn down someone who begs for mercy at their feet. Like when Forrest Gump went back to save all of his friends before the Napalm strike, or when David in the Bible could have killed or captured Saul with his pants down(literally), but let him get away. Someone who does something absolutely incredible, yet is still completely human. Something that physically, you could probably do too(or is not too far from you doing physically), but that would be very hard for you to do when determination and righteousness come into play. I think thats really what makes someone a hero. The Greek heroes were less heroes and more supermen who went around going on grand quests for power and fame, or maybe just thrills, until they died.
), but let him get away. Someone who does something absolutely incredible, yet is still completely human. Something that physically, you could probably do too(or is not too far from you doing physically), but that would be very hard for you to do when determination and righteousness come into play. I think thats really what makes someone a hero. The Greek heroes were less heroes and more supermen who went around going on grand quests for power and fame, or maybe just thrills, until they died.
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"When I think of a hero, I think of someone who stands up for another person in a conflict- not solving their problem for them but helping them through their situation."
"People who will throw their lives in harm's way to save another, yet will never turn down someone who begs for mercy at their feet."
Oh yes!
"People who will throw their lives in harm's way to save another, yet will never turn down someone who begs for mercy at their feet."
Oh yes!
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thenightmarehero
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There's nothing new I can add to this discussion, just want to affirm that everyone brought up some good points.
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Lady_Firehawk
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Or was there an older Spiderman flick with this Gyllenhaal dude in it? Meh...
Hahaha, me and Buskanaka end up quoting Spiderman at each other a lot when brainstorming stuff, especially with regards to Biblically based heroes. The universe itself might not be explicitly Christian, but it should still reflect those values in some way or another... "with great power comes great responsibility"!
Hahaha, me and Buskanaka end up quoting Spiderman at each other a lot when brainstorming stuff, especially with regards to Biblically based heroes. The universe itself might not be explicitly Christian, but it should still reflect those values in some way or another... "with great power comes great responsibility"!
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avatarblade2000
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He was actually one of the choices for Spider-Man before Maguire was actually chosen, AND he was considered breifly to replace him for SPIDER-MAN 2 when Maguire injured himself while filming SEABISCUIT...AND - he is, or WAS, Kirsten Dunst's boyfriend.
Just some random info on the guy. You want to see him in a heroic role? BUBBLE-BOY. Hooray for the underdog - in the - you know - the plastic bubble...YAY!
Just some random info on the guy. You want to see him in a heroic role? BUBBLE-BOY. Hooray for the underdog - in the - you know - the plastic bubble...YAY!
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FreezingRooster
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Heros are imperfect, but they try anyway. They set a standard for other characters and portray a message to the audience/reader about the world they live in.
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