Difference between revisions of "Hero"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[[Latin]] heros, from Greek hērōs | [[Latin]] heros, from Greek hērōs | ||
| − | The [[literal]] [[meaning]] of the [[word]] is "protector" or "defender" and etymologically it is [[thought]] to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of [[marriage]]; the postulated [[original]] forms of these [[words]] being *ἥρϝως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the [[Latin ]] verb servo ([[original]] [[meaning]]: to preserve [[whole]]) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original [ | + | The [[literal]] [[meaning]] of the [[word]] is "protector" or "defender" and etymologically it is [[thought]] to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of [[marriage]]; the postulated [[original]] forms of these [[words]] being *ἥρϝως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the [[Latin ]] verb servo ([[original]] [[meaning]]: to preserve [[whole]]) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Indo-European_root proto-Indo-European] [[root]] is unclear. |
According to the ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', the Indo-European root is '''''ser''' ''[[meaning]] "to protect". According to Eric Partridge in Origins, the [[Greek]] word Hērōs "is akin to" the [[Latin]] seruāre, [[meaning]] to safeguard. Partridge concludes, "The basic sense of both Hera and hero would therefore be 'protector'." | According to the ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language'', the Indo-European root is '''''ser''' ''[[meaning]] "to protect". According to Eric Partridge in Origins, the [[Greek]] word Hērōs "is akin to" the [[Latin]] seruāre, [[meaning]] to safeguard. Partridge concludes, "The basic sense of both Hera and hero would therefore be 'protector'." | ||
| − | *Date: [ | + | *Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century] |
<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Heroism''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Heroism '''''this link'''''].</center> | <center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Heroism''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Heroism '''''this link'''''].</center> | ||
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
| − | *1. A name given (as in [ | + | *1. A name given (as in [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer Homer]) to men of superhuman strength, [[courage]], or [[ability]], favored by the [[gods]]; at a later time regarded as intermediate between gods and men, and [[immortal]]. |
*2. A man distinguished by extraordinary [[Courage|valor]] and martial [[achievements]]; one who does brave or [[noble]] deeds; an illustrious warrior. | *2. A man distinguished by extraordinary [[Courage|valor]] and martial [[achievements]]; one who does brave or [[noble]] deeds; an illustrious warrior. | ||
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*3. A man who exhibits extraordinary bravery, firmness, fortitude, or greatness of [[soul]], in any [[course]] of [[action]], or in [[connection]] with any pursuit, [[work]], or [[enterprise]]; a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities. | *3. A man who exhibits extraordinary bravery, firmness, fortitude, or greatness of [[soul]], in any [[course]] of [[action]], or in [[connection]] with any pursuit, [[work]], or [[enterprise]]; a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities. | ||
| − | *4. The man who forms the subject of an [ | + | *4. The man who forms the subject of an [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic epic]; the chief male personage in a [[poem]], [[Drama|play]], or [[story]]; he in whom the interest of the story or plot is [[centered]]. |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''hero''' (hera or heroine in [[female]]) (Ancient [[Greek]]: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek [[mythology]] and folklore, was [[originally]] a [ | + | A '''hero''' (hera or heroine in [[female]]) (Ancient [[Greek]]: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek [[mythology]] and folklore, was [[originally]] a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demigod demigod], their [[cult]] being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek [[religion]]. Later, hero ([[male]]) and heroine ([[female]]) came to refer to [[characters]] who, in the face of [[danger]] and [[adversity]] or from a position of weakness, display [[courage]] and the [[will]] for self [[sacrifice]] – that is, heroism – for some greater [[good]], originally of martial [[courage]] or excellence but extended to more general [[moral]] excellence. |
| − | Stories of heroism may serve as [[moral]] examples. In [ | + | Stories of heroism may serve as [[moral]] examples. In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity classical antiquity], hero cults – veneration of deified heroes such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles Heracles], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perseus Perseus], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles Achilles] – played an important role in Ancient Greek [[religion]]. Politicians, ancient and modern, have employed hero [[worship]] for their own [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apotheosis apotheosis] (i.e., [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_of_personality cult of personality]).[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero] |
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*'''''[[Champion]]''''' | *'''''[[Champion]]''''' | ||
[[Category: Mythology]] | [[Category: Mythology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:57, 12 December 2020
Etymology
Latin heros, from Greek hērōs The literal meaning of the word is "protector" or "defender" and etymologically it is thought to be cognate with the name of the goddess Hera, the guardian of marriage; the postulated original forms of these words being *ἥρϝως, hērwōs, and *ἭρFα, Hērwā, respectively. It is also thought to be a cognate of the Latin verb servo (original meaning: to preserve whole) and of the Avestan verb haurvaiti (to keep vigil over), although the original proto-Indo-European root is unclear.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the Indo-European root is ser meaning "to protect". According to Eric Partridge in Origins, the Greek word Hērōs "is akin to" the Latin seruāre, meaning to safeguard. Partridge concludes, "The basic sense of both Hera and hero would therefore be 'protector'."
- Date: 14th century
Definitions
- 1. A name given (as in Homer) to men of superhuman strength, courage, or ability, favored by the gods; at a later time regarded as intermediate between gods and men, and immortal.
- 2. A man distinguished by extraordinary valor and martial achievements; one who does brave or noble deeds; an illustrious warrior.
- 3. A man who exhibits extraordinary bravery, firmness, fortitude, or greatness of soul, in any course of action, or in connection with any pursuit, work, or enterprise; a man admired and venerated for his achievements and noble qualities.
- 4. The man who forms the subject of an epic; the chief male personage in a poem, play, or story; he in whom the interest of the story or plot is centered.
Description
A hero (hera or heroine in female) (Ancient Greek: ἥρως, hḗrōs), in Greek mythology and folklore, was originally a demigod, their cult being one of the most distinctive features of ancient Greek religion. Later, hero (male) and heroine (female) came to refer to characters who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self sacrifice – that is, heroism – for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence.
Stories of heroism may serve as moral examples. In classical antiquity, hero cults – veneration of deified heroes such as Heracles, Perseus, and Achilles – played an important role in Ancient Greek religion. Politicians, ancient and modern, have employed hero worship for their own apotheosis (i.e., cult of personality).[1]
