It’s in our very human nature to root for someone in every story, which is why every good book needs a hero.
And if you look up the definition of a “hero,” you’re likely to find something like “a person admired for his or her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.”
Someone like King Arthur immediately comes to mind – a true literary hero, a larger-than-life character, a defender, and a protector. But not all heroes in literature are created equal, which is why there shouldn’t be a single, idealized definition of a hero.
Heroes and heroines in literature aren’t always the paragons of virtue; in fact, they can be the exact opposite – flawed and lost souls who fail many times along their hero journey.
Heroic deeds aren’t limited to noble knights, dragon-slayers, soldiers, warriors, prodigies, or fantastical beings. Much like in real life, a hero in literature can also be someone without apparent heroic qualities, an ordinary guy or a girl trying their best in extraordinary circumstances.
Human or superhuman, each literary hero fits into one literary „bucket“ – a hero archetype. The literary device of the Hero archetype represents the process of overcoming obstacles and achieving a particular goal – a courageous triumph over adversity.
So, let’s take a closer look at the world of heroes in literature.
6 types of heroes in literature
1. The willing hero
Examples: Tarzan, Hercules, Nancy Drew
The willing heroes are committed to the adventure and aren’t afraid to take a risk or self-sacrifice if it’s for the greater good; they’re always bravely going ahead and usually finish their hero’s journey (also called monomyth) with an “all or nothing” heroic act.
Although they may appear narcissistic and self-centered at times, they more often than not have a reason to behave that way. The willing hero is usually self-motivated and “feeds” on adrenaline.
Heck, they’re probably bored when nothing life-threatening is happening. When everyone else is running away, it’s the willing hero who will stay or, better yet, run toward danger.
You may not find the willing hero to be relatable most of the time, but that’s ok because they’re not supposed to be. Their purpose is to inspire and remind us that sometimes all we need is a little positive madness.
2. The unwilling hero
Examples: Frodo Baggins, Katniss Everdeen, Spiderman
The unwilling hero is often someone without any exemplary qualities. And if the unwilling hero does have supernatural powers, they’re either afraid to use them or don’t know how.
This kind of hero in literature has no interest in saving the day and thus may appear selfish or be seen as an antihero.
Typically, the unwilling hero is pushed or manipulated into an adventure that requires their rise to heroism. Their journey usually begins with self-doubt and a desire to return to normal life, so they might even try to run away from the situation.
Unlike the willing hero, the unwilling hero is not excited about the adventure. They are passive, rarely self-motivated, and might need a little push from their sidekick or a group to keep them on the right track.
And they’ll quite possibly complain a lot.
But once the reluctant hero accepts their heroic duty, they will overcome the obstacles, show remarkable growth, and achieve the end goal with just as much determination as the willing hero.
3. The tragic hero
Examples: Oedipus, McBeth, Romeo Montague, Okonkwo
A tragic hero is the type of character with all the heroic virtues and a fatal flaw, which is usually some sort of character deficiency (excessive pride, for example).
Despite their best efforts and good intentions, the tragic hero’s flaw ultimately leads them from triumph to tragedy.
Aristotle is credited with being the first to define the tragic hero in his Poetics. According to the Greek philosopher, a good tragedy must elicit fear and pity.
And it’s the tragic hero’s flaws and misfortune that make them relatable and draw an emotional response – especially when compared to classical heroes, who might appear too perfect for us lesser folk to identify with them.
Aristotle suggested that the tragic hero’s downfall should also serve as a cautionary tale for readers to be wiser in their own life choices. Otherwise, a similar reversal of fortune might happen to them someday.
4. The classical hero
Examples: Atticus Finch, Harry Potter, Hercules, King Arthur
The classical hero is a longstanding literary concept that is very similar to the willing hero.
Just crack open a book on Greek mythology, and you’ll find classical heroes with all kinds of superior traits that stand them apart from the crowd: great courage, strength, intelligence, and decisiveness, to name a few.
They’re always on the virtuous path and eager to do the right thing. Because they never fail at anything, they’re the ones to bet on.
Classical heroes may possess supernatural abilities – “a very particular set of skills,” as Liam Neeson puts it – or are simply born to accomplish supernatural tasks that no one else can.
Classical heroes in literature are almost impossibly perfect and not exactly relatable to regular folk, but they can make us feel inspired. Or, you know, inferior.
But that’s alright because the classical hero wouldn’t hold it against us.
5. The epic hero
Examples: Beowulf, Siegfried, Odysseus
To put it simply, an epic hero is a larger-than-life character who embodies his culture’s values and beliefs and achieves great things through extraordinary or superhuman abilities.
The epic hero was first introduced as the protagonist of an epic poem. This is a hero, scratch that, the hero admired for his courage and ability as a great warrior.
His glorious deeds are universally known, but before all that international glory, the epic hero must be a legend in his own culture (gotta love a mighty national hero, am I right?).
Distance makes the epic hero’s actions greater because they are selfless; they are for the benefit of another country or people. So you can’t be an epic hero if you’re not on a physical journey.
The further away you are from your home country, the better. Underworld, if possible.
But just because he’s both an ideal of his society and an international superstar, that doesn’t mean that an epic hero is a braggart. He is traditionally very humble and all-around a stand-up dude. Yes, he’s always a man (*sigh*).
6. The antihero
Examples: Billy the Kid, Jack Sparrow, Tyrion Lannister
And last but certainly not the least, the coolest fictional character – the antihero.
Sometimes a heroic job needs to be done, and there’s no hero around to step up to the challenge.
Enter someone with questionable motivations to answer the call to adventure; someone who’s lacking in heroic virtues and is completely ill-fit for the role but willing to get the job done – in their own way.
However, because antiheroes tend to be a little rough around the edges, readers may struggle to connect with the character. That’s why the hero’s vulnerabilities should be revealed early on for the readers to empathize with them.
Even though it may not seem like it at first, an antihero is not the villain and will ultimately do the right thing.
These types of characters have the most room to grow and show that there was a heroic heart in there all along.
Memorable heroes and heroines in literature
Robin Hood, Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
We’ve all heard the story of Robin Hood, the rebellious and noble thief who steals from the rich to give to the poor.
But that wasn’t the only reason the outlaw hero was and still is so popular; Robin of Loxley and his Merry Men are heroes of the people because they fought for the common person.
They stood up to the oppressive Norman lords, which is a classic example of good versus evil.
Okonkwo, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Okonkwo is a hard-working and well-respected leader of the Igbo community of the Nigerian clan of Umuofia.
He tries his best to live by the values of his culture, but he has a tragic flaw: an internal fear of becoming like his weak and idle father dictates his life, so he’s obsessed with his masculinity.
Consequently, the tragic hero’s struggles lead to irrational behavior and, ultimately, his downfall.
Don Quixote, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes
Don Quixote is a middle-aged gentleman who becomes so engrossed in books about chivalric romances that he convinces himself he’s a noble knight.
Despite his delusions, the tragicomic hero’s heart is in the right place; he’s an honorable man pursuing idealistic goals. He wants to make the world a better place through chivalry.
Don Quixote may not be your classical hero who has slain beasts and won epic battles, but the protagonist of the first modern novel won something even better: peoples’ hearts.
Frodo Baggins, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future,” the great J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, and Frodo Baggins truly embodies that sentiment.
The hairy-footed hero lacked otherworldly powers and was gifted only with common sense and a good heart, but he still became the Ring-bearer. The Hobbit was burdened with self-doubt, but he persisted on his quest across Middle-Earth to destroy the source of evil, the One Ring.
RELATED: Best Tolkien Quotes That Prove He Could Create Magic With Words
Jo March, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Jo, the second-oldest March sister, is an outspoken, brave, and independent young lady.
She has an adventurous spirit, a sharp tongue, a fiery temper, and a great passion for writing stories. But, what the tomboyish heroine doesn’t have is patience for the many constraints imposed on women of her time.
Jo wants nothing more than to hold her family together, and she’s willing to do what it takes to make way for herself in a man’s world.
Odysseus, Odyssey by Homer
Odysseus struggled for a decade to return home to his family in Ithaca after the Trojan War, and his epic hero journey only became more challenging as the years passed.
But the protagonist of Homer’s epic poem is not just a courageous and skilled warrior; Odysseus is also very intelligent and cunning, so much he could scheme and talk his way out of any tough situation (remember the Trojan horse story?).
Lisbeth Salander, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Lisbeth is a cultural icon and a very complex character.
Is she an action heroine? Antihero? A victim? A survivor? Vigilante? Lisbeth is all of that and then some. The punk heroine with a painful past has extensive hacking skills and a soft spot for abuse victims, particularly women.
When she isn’t attacking the attackers, her isolated existence is challenged by crusading journalist Mikael Blomkvist whom she helps to solve a dark murder mystery.
Like this post? Share or pin it for later! You can also stay in the loop and follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.
