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Basic Trope: A hero has no ego and believes themself to be ordinary.

  • Straight: Bob is a powerful hero who has saved the world, but he rejects the spotlight and refers to himself as "an ordinary guy trying to do the right thing."
  • Exaggerated: Bob has god-like powers, but considers himself to be the lowest human alive.
  • Downplayed:
    • Bob foils a robbery and quietly shrugs off the ensuing kudos.
    • Bob is a powerful hero who has saved the world and he doesn't try to get praise for it, but feels flattered if others admire him.
    • Bob has some Smug Super moments, but never goes overboard and is willing to recognize he's not infallible. Plus he always gives credit to fellow heroes for their deeds as well and would never take undeserved credit from other people's heroics.
  • Justified:
  • Inverted:
    • It's All About Me
    • Bob is a Glory Hound who relentlessly searches for praise and recognition, despite the harm it causes others.
    • Bob is a Miles Gloriosus who claims heroic deeds he didn't do.
    • Bob has an Awesome Ego about his heroic feats.
    • Evulz is a very humble villain who doesn't concern himself with being feared or admired as long as he gets what he wants.
  • Subverted:
    • Bob makes a show of being humble, but soon reveals a more egotistical side.
    • Bob's humility is an act. He does it to look good when in reality, he's a selfish jerk.
  • Double Subverted: He later apologizes and it turns out to be a momentary lapse.
  • Parodied: ???
  • Zig-Zagged: Bob sometimes acts humble and sometimes is a braggart.
  • Averted: Bob seeks glory and fame for his heroic actions.
  • Enforced: "How do we keep Bob relatable and down-to-earth after he saved the world?" "Have him refuse to take credit."
  • Lampshaded: "Bob has every reason to brag, but he never does. Why's that?"
  • Invoked: Bob's mentor insists he must not pursue glory and fame, and Bob takes it to heart.
  • Exploited: Because of Bob's humility, Charlie takes credit for Bob's heroic deeds.
  • Defied: Bob finds humility tiring and decides to pursue fame and glory anyway.
  • Discussed: "If Bob succeeds in saving the day, don't expect him to brag about it."
  • Conversed: "Does it seem like the best heroes are the ones who are also the least boastful?"
  • Deconstructed:
    • Because Bob never brags about himself, people don't even know that he's a hero and treat him like he's a loser.
    • Bob really does Think Nothing of It because of all the pain and suffering that still happens in the world despite his best efforts. His humility hides deep depression.
  • Reconstructed:
    • Until Alice shames them by revealing Bob's heroic deeds and tells them that not boasting about himself makes him even more heroic.
    • Bob's humility in regards to his heroic deeds makes him even more loved and respected, and he gets free gifts and compliments as a result wherever he goes.

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