Heroes are a product of a society's perception of someone to be praised and
adored. The definition of a hero is dependent on that society's beliefs, laws and taboos.
There are heroes for all ages, and for both men and women. Heroes have had changing
roles since man wrote his story, and all have been the embodiment of each society, each
civilization's ideals. The 1990's child sick with visions of hoop dreams, is largely affected
by basketball superstar, Michael Jordan. He inspires the young depraved ghetto child to
rise up against his unfortunate circumstances. Nevertheless their many noteworthy
qualities, all heroes possess faults because they are human and all humans possess failings,
because heroes begin to fold and make mistakes as they are suddenly thrust into the awe
inspired limelight, and because their pedestals are broken and disgarded as the public
craves to see the dirt underneath the man.
Failings in heroes are only natural, they are human and all humans possess faults.
All human beings are born and die with character traits, which can be, at the most basic
level, perceived as being helpful or as being harmful, depending on the character's
viewpoint. People are regularly regarded as having traits ranging from the most trivial as
being a perfectionist, to the most weighty, such as being a coward. These traits form the
basis of human personality and define the individual's personal nature. Montreal teen
gangs beat, rape and steal all the while embracing courage, bravery and wisdom as they
remarkably shun cowardice and stupidity. Ideal heroes are perceived differently in
different periods of history. In Chaucer's Prologue of the Canterbury Tales a worthy man
is described. He is a chivalrous knight who prided himself on his own personal truth,
honor, freedom, and courtesy. Chaucer's view of a hero is one who is without...