In every epoch, Western society has exalted people who seem to show an heroic nature. Our society has defined what a hero is by means of inherited criteria. These socially developed criteria have been used through the ages and continue to be refined. Although the actions of the hero may differ in every age, the fundamentals of the concept can be recognised time and again. This report will identify and apply three fundamental criteria that constitute this shared definition of a hero. These timeless criteria are that a hero is someone who stands for his beliefs, is loyal to his supporters and is honest and not devious. References will be made to Trease's novel Cue for Treason, Robert Bolt's play A Man for All Seasons and Gweneth Lilly's novel On a Scaffold High to argue that different periods use a common definition of heroism.
A hero is someone who stands for what he believes in. Lilly provides a prime instance of this when Owen is described as boldly standing against his father's engagement. The same moral stand occurs in Cue for Treason: Peter is a firm believer in defending the sovereignty of the Queen and the peace of her country. He 'stands' for this when he undertakes a dangerous venture to foil an assassination plot on her. Sir Thomas More in Bolt's play similarly qualifies as a hero by standing firm refusing to compromise his beliefs through perjury. In doing so, he reaffirmed his long held legal principles and his belief in the worth of a man's oath. These examples would indicate that these writers regarded a hero as someone who stands for what he believes in.
In every age, a hero is somebody loyal to his or her supporters. This criterion is used in each of the three texts too. Bolt portrays More as being loyal to the letter and processes of law. He is shown as being loyal to the laws of England, loyal to the English people and to his supporters. Lilly similarly depicts Owen as a boy who ultimately remains loyal to his Welsh kin and, refusing prospects in London, returns to farm the estate that his grandfather bequeathed to him. Similarly, Trease's Peter Brownrigg remains loyal to his family and friends, especially Kit, Mr Raymond and Mr Burbage's actors. Thus to be a hero, one must be loyal to one's supporters.
Heroes can be identified also on a third criterion, that is, whether the subject is honest and not devious. Owen expresses his disapproval at Gruffydd's engagement without obviously attempting to thwart the planned marriage. Thomas More remains so eminently honest to his God, his conscience and to the public that he is executed for his courage. Trease depicts Peter as a boy honest to his father, his friends and especially to Kit. These examples show that a hero must possess integrity both in public and in his heart.
A hero embodies these fundamental values: he is loyal to himself, to his supporters and to his cause. The three texts show that these three criteria are also used by these authors and are commonly used in our Western society. Society identifies a hero as such if he possesses these three. These three criteria continue to be used today whenever we define a hero. These Elizabethean criteria suit me today also.
by Anthony M. 1997 (readily edited; 591 words
Trease's Peter.....does X just as More does.
Bolt defines a hero in the same way as Lilly does in her novel.
In Lilly's novel, Owen and Rhys Gruffydd openly acknowledge their Welch sympathies even when in London....
All three writers, Lilly, Bolt and Trease, offer us characters who ........
To be a hero, one must be steadfast and constant. Peter Brownrigg is just as loyal as Thomas More.
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