This question is for ‘hero’ in all forms: realistic, fiction, superhero, comic book, anime, etc. Let’s say a person is flawed, or is very arrogant, or has a superiority complex, etc., but also does heroic things—like being a firefighter, doctor, wizard, superhero, whatever. Do you think that person is still a hero despite having negative personality traits?

  • Ilixtze@lemmy.ml
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    1 个月前

    No. It just means he’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta be fresh from a fight.

    • tuck182@lemmy.world
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      1 个月前

      Doesn’t the need to specify those in addition (“and he’s gotta be …”) mean those are characteristics that aren’t necessarily inherent to being a hero?

      • Ilixtze@lemmy.ml
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        1 个月前

        I don’t know how to grapple with the semantics of it all when he also gotta be sure and It’s gotta be soon and He’s gotta be larger than life.

  • fictional heroes can be perfect, real “heroes” are always flawed.

    Mahatma Gandhi supposedly did some weird thing where he is said to have slept naked with young girls, including his niece. 🧐

    I personally don’t idolize people, but rather commend them for their specific actions.

  • twice_hatch@midwest.social
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    1 个月前

    It’s dangerous to put people on a pedestal. A lot of good happens because someone who isn’t perfect decided to do something good that day

  • Zagam@piefed.social
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    1 个月前

    A hero is only a hero from one perspective. There was a movie in '92 called Hero that sort of explores this a bit. It’s not a great movie, but it has a sort of scummy guy do something great and a sort of OK guy do something scummy.

  • Lemvi@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 个月前

    No, it just means you are someone that helps others, even when you know that you won’t gain anything from that yourself.

  • Steve@communick.news
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    1 个月前

    Colossus: Four or five moments - that’s all it takes to become a hero. Everyone thinks it’s a full-time job. Wake up a hero. Brush your teeth a hero. Go to work a hero. Not true. Over a lifetime there are only four or five moments that really matter. Moments when you’re offered a choice to make a sacrifice, conquer a flaw, save a friend - spare an enemy. In these moments everything else falls away…

  • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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    1 个月前

    Literally no one is perfect, just like if someone was truly average in every respect, they’d be the most unique person who ever lived.

  • boydster@sh.itjust.works
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    1 个月前

    The theme song from Mighty Mouse gives the description of a hero that I subscribe to. A hero is someone who is there to save the day when someone really needs saving. Anyone can be a hero if they answer the call when fate provides them the need for one.

    Mister Trouble never hangs around
    When he hears this Mighty sound.
    "Here I come to save the day"
    That means that Mighty Mouse is on the way.
    
    Yes sir, when there is a wrong to right
    Mighty Mouse will join the fight.
    On the sea or on the land,
    He gets the situation well in hand
    
    So though we are in danger, we never despair
    Cause we know that where there's danger he is there!
    (He is there, on the land, on the sea, in the air!)
    
    We're not worrying at all
    We're just listening for his call
    “Here I come, to save the day!”
    That means that Mighty Mouse
    Is on the way!
    
    We're not worrying at all
    We're just listening for his call
    “Here I come, to save the day!”
    That means that Mighty Mouse
    Is on the way!
    
    source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/mightymouselyrics.html
    
    • Zagam@piefed.social
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      1 个月前

      Dude. For some reason Underdog got mixed up with Mighty Mouse in my head and I could not figure out wtf you were on about. It took me a full minute to have this all click.

  • Swordgeek@lemmy.ca
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    1 个月前

    Of course not.

    If a fictional character is a perfect hero, then you’re either writing for five year olds or a terrible author.

  • Jake Farm@sopuli.xyz
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    1 个月前

    That will depend on your values and culture. In ancient greece, heroes were warriors that killed many or defeated impossible odds. Now it is usually about self sacrifice or saving many people. Some people see humble hard workers as heroes. Though that also has an element of self sacrifice.

  • Rhynoplaz@lemmy.world
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    1 个月前

    One great feat does not a hero make.

    Everybody has flaws and makes mistakes, but when the number of good deeds far outweighs the bad, you earn the title of hero.

  • RBWells@lemmy.world
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    1 个月前

    Of course no person is perfect, and in literature a perfect person would be boring.

    In my view, anyone who does something selfless that really helps other people or person, because they see the need to help, is a hero. They don’t need to be good in every other way. Just that they use their powers for good.

    Villians can be nice, too. With some fatal flaw that causes great harm.

  • Angelusz@lemmy.world
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    1 个月前

    Perfect, like many things in life, is matter of perspective. You can have some traits that some may perceive as flaws and still be perfect. Just means your life is at least a tad more interesting.