In the arsenal of the modern film industry, unfortunately or fortunately, there is simply a staggering number of the most diverse examples of real heroism, which the younger generation is equal to and admired by more or less impressionable representatives of the human race. The unsurpassed Sandra Bullock, for example, survives alone in outer space, Hugh Laurie as Dr. House saves an infinite number of lives from lupus, and the almighty Terminator once again returns to Earth in order to solve all its pressing problems.
Roughly the same is happening with modern literature. Take, for example, one of the latest bestsellers - Andy Weir's book "The Martian", which is an adaptation of the robinsonade that has long been familiar to the reading population of the globe. Or the famous "Song of Ice and Fire" by George Martin, cruel and merciless to his heroes - all this is written about heroes.
Saving the world
The question "what is heroism?" at first glance it seems rather silly anduseless. Most people will be able to answer it without a single second allotted for reflection and reasoning. In fact, why unnecessary philosophizing, if the idea of heroes, firstly, is different for everyone, and secondly, is invested in everyone from the earliest years with fairy tales, songs, cartoons and masterpieces of cinema?
So, what is heroism for modern man? By and large, this is a combination of qualities necessary to do a good deed like saving the world, curing a terrible virus that turns everyone into zombies, or solving the problem of racial inequality. In a word, for most people, examples of heroism are inextricably linked with such a global mission.
Séance to connect with the ancient Greeks
As you know, it is in Hellas that the cradle of modern world culture is located, and therefore who else knows exactly what heroism is, if not the ancient Hellenes? The fact is that if you get acquainted with ancient mythology in detail, you will notice the fact that it is all about gods, people, and, as you might already guess, heroes. Who were they for the legislators of philosophy and trends in the field of art and architecture?
The answer is very simple: in the mind of the ancient Greek, a hero is a being born from a god and a man. According to the myth known to all, this was exactly what Hercules, or Hercules, as the ancient Romans later called him. He was born to an earthly woman named Alcmene from the supreme god of Olympus named Zeus, also known as the Thunderer.
Another embodiment of heroism for the ancient Hellenes was the famous Achilles, born of the sea goddess Thetis from King Peleus. Odysseus, although he was not born from God, was still his descendant - the genealogical tree of this mythological character dates back to Hermes - the guide of souls through the underworld and the patron of travelers.
What is heroism for the ancient Greeks? In addition to unconditional participation in the exploits, this is also a special origin, some proximity to the divine principle, with the exception of immortality, which neither Hercules, nor Odysseus, nor, as you know, Achilles, possessed.
Comics-culture
For any self-respecting American, there is a slightly different idea of heroes and heroism. In this case, we are talking about representatives of the human race, endowed for one reason or another with superpowers. Numerous brainchildren of MARVEL and DC comics studios literally do not leave the screens all over the world today.
For most kids today, the real examples of heroism are those of Iron Man, Batman, Captain America, Wolverine and a whole legion of other supernatural powers.
Heroes of the Slavs
However, it would be wrong to assume that outstanding deeds are typical only for representatives of Western culture. Despite the fact that it was foreign Avengers, Gladiators and Terminators that filled the consciousness of the whole world, there are also many examples of such daring guys in Slavic culture.
Speech inIn this case, we are talking about glorious heroes like Dobrynya Nikitich, Alyosha Popovich and Svyatogor, whom for some reason everyone began to safely forget about. However, even if we omit the traditional Slavic folklore, the famous dog Mukhtar and Uncle Styopa always remain.
Seriously speaking
True and false heroism is found in the modern world at almost every step. Great accomplishments sometimes happen around the corner, and an insignificant trifle is inflated to a global scale.
What is the difference between true and false heroism, the question is quite philosophical, since everyone has their own idea on this matter. For some, truth lies in the disinterestedness of this or that act, while others distinguish these concepts for themselves by measuring scales.
In any case, contrary to popular belief, heroism exists in our time, and by no means due to supernatural abilities or special origins.
To live and die for children
One could start a gallery of outstanding deeds with anyone, but some actions are especially worthy of not being forgotten. An outstanding teacher and a Man with a capital letter Janusz Korczak literally gave his life to his pupils. Once in the Warsaw ghetto, he organized an orphanage in which 192 children of different ages found refuge.
In inhuman conditions, Korczak continued to heal, educate and teach children, no matter what, trying to find any way to save his wards. Because in thiswhile the Nazis eliminated all "unproductive elements", the orphanage in full force was sent to the Treblin "death camp". Korczak's pedagogical skill was so great that he was pardoned, but the teacher refused a ticket to freedom and spent their most terrible last hours with the children. Janusz Korczak was martyred in the gas chamber together with his assistant Stefania Wilczynska and pupils.
A mouthpiece for a thousand voices
What would American democracy be like now if the great Martin Luther King hadn't delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech?
Thousands of people followed their leader to protect their civil rights and dignity.
Among fight and blood
Heroism in war is seemingly common, but not when you're six. It was at this age that Sergei Aleshkov, who participated in the defense of Stalingrad, reached Poland, saved his commander, fell into the ranks of Soviet fighters during the Great Patriotic War. A boy who grew up prematurely, survived one of the worst times in human history.
However, heroism in war is not always the readiness to shoot the enemy to kill or throw yourself under tanks to save your partner. Sometimes it's just the ability to remain human in the most inhuman conditions, when the lines of good and evil become especially thin.
Value depth
What is heroism? The definition of this term, although it seems simple, allows for a hugenumber of interpretations. This is the first flight of Yuri Gagarin into space and the upbringing of his own child during the war, this is the donation of all capital to improve the quality of life in third world countries and the willingness to help a friend in a critical situation.
For some, a real example of heroism is the feat of Ramazi Datiashvili, a young microsurgeon, who returned three-year-old Rasa's legs cut off by a combine.
Immortalized in books
Heroism in literature has found just a huge number of reflections, from the classics to modern prose. For example, Markus Zuzak, in his bestseller The Book Thief, described the real feat of a German family who sheltered a Jew in their basement in the middle of Nazi Germany.
Heroism was also immortalized in literature by Boris Pasternak, who wrote an immortal work, a real masterpiece of world classics, the novel Doctor Zhivago. In order to do good deeds, you do not need to have superpowers at all - just be a person who believes in the best and is ready for any worldly hardships and troubles.
