open/close all folders
Music
- Holding Out For A Hero
by Bonnie Tyler is all about this, a song dedicated to good guys. - Mentioned in Blues Traveler's "Runaround," as its lyric imply that characters can do right by anyone else.Like a bad play where the hero's right
And nobody thinks or expects too much
Myths & Religion
- The word "Hero" comes from Classical Mythology. It was derived, from Heracles, however, serious Values Dissonance kicks in because while many did slay horrible monsters that threatened the people, the heroes from Classical Mythology could be just as bad as their Gods, since they were free to do what they want.
- King Arthur is the Trope Codifier of this trope for medieval England, as well as the Big Good. The Knights of the Round Table also qualified for any tale that focused on them as they lived up as paragons of chivalry by defending the weak and standing for justice. They might as well as be considered the superheroes of their time period.
- Robin Hood fits this role among the Merry Men in nearly every adaptation, since he is the plucky rebel leader who steals from the rich to give the poor.
- The Bogatyrs from Russian Mythology and Tales were the Slavic equivalents to the Knights of the Round Table: legendary warriors that protected the land from monsters, beasts and invading steppe hordes.
- Saint George is one of the most iconic examples of this trope in Christian tradition: a brave knight rescuing a princess from the dragon. Something so simple, yet it's extremely influential in encapsulating classical heroism.
Print Media
- The eponymous character of the Popeye comic strip is this. He is a very noble (but ignorant) being and is very loyal to his girl Olive Oyl and will give anyone the benefit of the doubt, even his rival Bluto.
Roleplay
- Neil Sinclair of Survival of the Fittest is arguably the hero of the series. He might not always make the right calls, but he's about the only character who retains his moral high ground throughout the game, and strives ceaselessly to save as many people as possible. He has the distinction of being the only character ever to form an effectual pro-escape group. Which has a good chance to have succeeded, cliffhanger and Pyrrhic Victory notwithstanding; if nothing else, it's the closest the students have ever come to beating the system.
Theatre
- Romeo Montague from Romeo and Juliet, who did it all because he fell in love with a girl and wanted to do everything and anything he could to be with her, including having a Secret Relationship.
Visual Novels
- As long as he's sane, Keiichi Maebara from Higurashi: When They Cry takes up takes role as (according to Rika and Hanyu) he is the "piece" that brings change to Hinamizawa. Because Hinamizawa is a village so traditionalist and unchanging that its people have begun to stagnate, it is very important that he comes and stirs up their preconceptions - in particular, changing the ostracising attitude that many have towards the Houjou family.
