Certainly, we all have our own ideas and concepts of a true hero. In the formation of a hero, there is a specific design of qualities that make the individual strong and courageous in the eyes of the ordinary. For some, a hero is supernatural with characteristics that are bizarre and abnormal. We often think of characters that have superior strength, psychic powers, or flying abilities as being heroic. Throughout time, there have only been stories and myths told of individuals with these specific powers, and even today, there is a cult following of comic book heroes like Superman and Batman. For those who ignore the places the imagination can reach, a hero is often a person that they know or a living person from generations before. A family member, a soldier, or religious figure can often be cited as heroes of our time.
Ultimately, we choose our own personal hero because the individual either contains what we lack or has conquered that which we do not have the ability to fight ourselves. The book by Joseph Campbell titled The Hero with a Thousand Faces gives many examples of different heroes and the qualities they possess. Throughout this document, I will take various characters from Campbell’s writing and give prototypical individuals that would consider those characters as being heroic.
Buddha is one of the more popular figures mentioned that is certainly cited as a hero to many. Those who desire peace within from the distractions and materialism of this earth would be most likely to take refuge in the teachings of Buddha. Those who seek a hero that has conquered the fears and distractions of this world to find a refuge of peace should use Buddha’s teachings for enlightenment. If a person has been caught amongst denominational wars within the Christian doctrine and the contradictions of church beliefs, these former believers may eventually seek solitude elsewhere. I am proposing that these individuals could be likely to turn to Buddhism on their path to serenity.
When discussing the matters of finding a “doctrine of universal love,” Campbell mentions that we must turn our mind to “the other great (and much older) universal communion: that of the Buddha, where the primary word still is peace (159).” People who have turned away from Christianity will still find that Buddha’s teachings display that happiness does not come from materialism. Compassion and peace are found more often within the concept of Buddhist beliefs than the beliefs of Christianity. Mortal men that are searching for the religion that “fits” may find it hard to avoid the idea of Nirvana and its “extinguishing of the Threefold Fire of Desire, Hostility, and Delusion.” Buddha seems to be more of a hero than the god that many people portray him as. Perhaps, Buddha is the hero that has saved individuals from noise and confusion in their lives.
Another familiar story that is passed on by Campbell is that of King Midas. The story of Midas pertains to those who have found emptiness in money and materialism. Though King Midas made the poorest decisions, he could also be viewed as a hero. After all, many heroes have been known to have tragic flaws like the “Midas touch.” This King lost sight of what was important in life and his lust for wealth (gold) caused him to lose much more than he would ever gain. Though his daughter was turned to gold instantly, you can be certain that King Midas learned a unique lesson on excessive wealth and a valuable lesson at that. The daughter’s life was worth more to King Midas than the gold statue in which she was trapped. Whether an individual is trying to escape a wealthy lifestyle or views riches as mere emptiness, you can be certain that they find Midas to be an enlightening hero. They would realize the truth of the Japanese proverb that says “The gods only laugh when men pray to them for wealth.”
Though not a main focus in The Hero with a Thousand Faces, I found the topic of Jonathan Edwards unavoidable. Jonathan Edwards is not a god or a mythological figure, but I am sure many would argue that his outrageous views of the Christian god are myths. Using fear, Edwards states “The God holds you over the Pit of Hell, much as one holds a Spider or some loathsome Insect over the Fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked.” As stated previously, religious figures can be considered heroes of our time and the uptight, ill-tempered Jonathan Edwards is no exception. My proposition for an individual that would view Pastor Edwards as heroic would be an individual that cannot cope with others that they view as immoral. People who cannot live harmoniously with others because they do not follow the same thought patterns or way of thinking may also find Edwards work as noble. However, most people who come into contact with Edwards work will not be scared into submission, but be pushed farther from it.
While on the topic of Christianity, Job is a Biblical character that could be a hero in modern society as well. Campbell retells the story of Job. He tells how Job is “a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and avoiding evil.” Job was a wealthy man with a joyous family and he was ethical in all business. Then his life took a swift turn for the worse. Job lost nearly everything and was left in sorrow without any answers. Job was persecuted as though he deserved to be stricken down by the might of God. His friends declared “with a pious faith in God’s justice, that Job must have done some evil to have deserved to be so frightfully afflicted.”
Job withstood persecution and endured the loss of nearly everything, all while never doubting his faith. All this happened to Job and God did not give any inclination to his intentions or reason for Job’s suffering. Campbell suggests that this occurred simply to show “that man cannot measure the will of God.” Regardless of the reason Job was forced to endure such tragedy, we view his life as that of a hero. We like to look at example stories of Job and such, when we need encouragement. Job is a true hero for those who have been faced with a major loss in their lifetime. Down-trodden individuals will need a story that shows the destruction and rebuilding of a character like Job. Those who are holding firm and brave in the midst of defeat can remember Job as a hero that faced much worse circumstances.
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux would be considered a hero to those who admire purity and the persistence of guarding one’s virginity. Bernard of Clairvaux is probably a worthy example for lifestyles of monks, nuns, and priests who must remain pure in thought and prevail in their devotion to god. The Hero with a Thousand Faces gives examples of various women and their attempts to seduce Bernard. He remained pure and never gave in to their beauty, even when they would throw themselves at him in nakedness.
However, the story continues to warn of the persistence of lust and how it followed Bernard through the “monastery walls” and “not even the remoteness of the desert, can defend against the female presences.” Uncertainty can arise when thinking of the story based on Saint Bernard and whether he remained pure or not throughout his lifetime. I am sure that Saint Bernard of Clairvaux is as good of a hero as any when it comes to enduring with purity.
The last hero that I choose to discuss is the Chinese philosopher Ko Hung that spent his “latter years of a long lifetime preparing pills of immortality.” His venture to design a medicine that returns an old decrepit body back to youthful strength was a valid attempt. Ko Hung created a concoction that could eventually bring eternal life. “White hair will turn black, decayed teeth will grow again, and the body will become sleek and glistening.” Hung believed that if taken “constantly” then the individual “will not die.” This myth of a man who passed on to the “realm of the immortals” is an acceptable hero to doctors and pharmacists today with their attempts to prolong life, sustain youthfulness and find cures. Based on the story of Ko Hung, scientists dream of discovering an eternal life through medicine.
In conclusion, not all individuals have the same visions or ideas of what it means to be a hero or the qualities in which a hero should possess. Heroes can be living in the now or they can be mythological characters of stories passed down. Heroes can be strong and courageous with superior abilities. They can also have tragic flaws and even die in the midst of their struggles. We choose our personal hero because the individual either contains what we lack on physical, mental, and psychological levels, or because the hero has conquered something that we do not have the ability to accomplish ourselves.
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