Heroism

Where does heroism come from?

The work hero first appears in Homer as a warrior. Hesiod classified heroes after gods but before humans. Pindar in the 5th C said that heroes had one mortal and one divine parent. e.g. Akhilleus

What is heroism in the ancient world?

It is courage carried out publicly. It doesnt matter to the Greeks that the conduct of the heroes could have some bad connotations. It symbolizes the tension - it is both savage and angersous. Courage is a virture but it is not necessary to have to be virtuous. One can live to a ripe old age without Kleos or die younger and more glorious. Looks at Odysseus. he is deceitful, cunning with practical wisdom. For him heroism was confrontation with the courage of intellect. Cunning is seen as a weapon. Compare with Herakles, whose heroism is rooted in bravery amd brawn and Jason, whose heroism evolves over time, especially after his first Androktasia and has a more collegiate approach to achieve his goals and display his heroism.

Pericles democratizes heroism. It is anyone who has fallen and even those left behind waiting for their fighting men. But Pericles thought Spartan courage was manufactured. They had no choice. But we dont get a Spartan point of view of heroism. Thermopylae agrees to die futilely - you dont give in to get freedom even if you die. The Greek word for courage is manliness so it is difficult for a woman to be a hero.

Changing ideas about heroism

Plato - you do not have to fight on a battlefiels to be a hero. He said that Socrates was a hero Aristotle saw heroism as greatness of soul. Megalopsuchia - 1st will not submit to dishonorable treatment e.g. Akhilleus. 2nd type - calm, enduring take what ever get thrown at you like Odysseus Socrates - bravery is accepting what gets thrown at you.

Roman Ideas

Stocism - stand up for your view but be indifferent to that which you cannot control and stand up for what's right i.e. Civic Virtues

Christianity

Christ - turn the other cheek and not fight. This would be a problem for Greeks and Jews used to fighting for honours. Would Chrsit be treated as hero - It is difficult to grast Jesus' view on the Greek view. Marytdom, passion and suffering like the Crucifixion are seen as heroic.

Later Greeks would look upon Tragic heroes who are learning through suffering. Pathamathus

An Akhillean model of heroism in christianity is St George

Renaissance Heroism

Montrepelto Plutach and Shakespeare reinvent Greel heroes and get back to active virtue. Shakespeare demotes Julius Caesar's notion of heroism - look at how at the end it has turned out badly

Byron has romantic view of heroism. Shelley - Prometheus suffering at the hands of Zeus

Carlisle sees Napoloeon and Wellington and Federick the Great as great martial heroes.

Imperial Heroism - British heroes of the era Shackleton, Scott and Gordon

Nietzsche - Moral heroism - strive and aspire to make your own moral locus

First World War

Sassoon Heroism isnt about glory.