The Idea of a Hero

All cultures have heroes that are told about in their stories and myths, epics and legends. Although heroes generally follow a similar set of characteristics, the exact identity of a hero depends on the culture that they are from. Since all cultures have different ideals and maxims, their heroes, who are these principles personified, also are different.
Beowulf is the first hero in English literature ever written about. Beowulf represents all of the Norse ideals of his time period. He is strong and courageous in battle and gives his life in defense of his homeland. In the viewpoint of the Norse, Beowulf is the perfect hero in their culture of war. Beowulf is idealized in order to act as a role model, and well, hero. Even though he dies in his final struggle against the Dragon, he dies an honorable death and is avenged by one of his fellow warriors, Wiglaf. Wiglaf is an example that even when hope is lost, courage and bravery can win the day just like it did against the Dragon. Wiglaf's actions are inspiring so he too can be called a hero.
Heroes in other stories, also display this reflection of the cultures of their times. Odysseus shows intelligence and patience; Huck Finn shows cleverness and compassion; Luke Skywalker shows inner purity and good judgment. All of these heroes can serve as inspiration.
A culture without heroes could be described as "unhappy" since this culture would in turn have no higher edifice to look up to. Yet, Brecht said that a land with heroes signified weakness and discontent. But without inspiration or a goal to reach for an individual loses much of their motivation to go the extra mile and be more. Heroes are in fact the opposite of what Brecht said, because they show the admirable characteristics of a culture. In modern times instead of Knights or Jedi, we look at the everyday hero: the firemen, doctors, and others who benefit the world around them.