Mythes Et Héros

Myths and Heroes

The origin of the word myth is “Mythos” and means “that which is spoken”. It starts with an oral tradition and is usually associated with the origins of the culture it comes from. A myth is a story explaining an event and there is a moral related to it, a moral to learn. A hero characterizes strength and courage. He is admired for outstanding achievements and is a symbol of perfection. Lots of hero types exist, they can be action heroes, folk, political, sports, unsung or reluctant heroes. If so many heroes exist it is because we humans created them, imagined them. But then, why do we need heroes? First of all I will talk about fictional heroes and in the second part of my speech about real heroes.

Fictional heroes have been conceived to make us dream. They often have supernatural powers: they are smart and beautiful, basically everything each one of us would like to be. Heroes accompany us throughout our whole lives. Batman, Superman and other heroes, are American cultural icons all around the world, and always represent the “good guys”, first in cartoons and comics intended for children and then in films for adults. They give us hope; we know we can count on them when everything goes wrong. It is like a secondary world where we can hide when we’re children. Heroes become personal heroes that are admired by every child. They save and respect people, have power and money. Boys have almost everything in their room that is related to superheroes; Posters, comics, figurines, and lots more.

Another type of fictional hero is the one we find in films and books.

As for example: Matilda Wormwood from the film “Matilda”. It is the story of a sweet bright little girl named Matilda, who is a child of wondrous intelligence. But unfortunately she is different from the rest of her family. Ignored at home all the time, Matilda escapes into a world of reading, exercising her mind so much she develops telekinetic powers. Good thing, too: sent off to a school headed by a cruel hulking monster, principal Agatha Trunchbull, Matilda needs all the help she can get. Amid Crunchem's darkness, Matilda finds a single light in warm-hearted Miss Honey, the first-grade teacher who recognizes the girl's remarkable skills--including a very special talent that allows the spirited girl to turn the tables on the wicked grown-ups in her world. In this film a little girl represents a hero, she has supernatural powers, she is beautiful, intelligent and sweet. As superheroes she has been an example of courage for little girls facing oppression. Almost every girl knows her story all around the world.

SpongeBob Square pants is a hero for boys and girls. First of all he can live under water! That is already a power because while living in the water he can speak, walk, and do everything humans do. This cartoon is watched by kids but also by adults, it is funny and original.

Heroes don't only exist in comic books and movies, another type of superhero exists; the real super heroes, those who haven’t got any fake superpowers but in a real sense of help.

A perfect example of this type of real-life hero is Gandhi. He was born on October 2, 1869, in India. He studied law and came to advocate for the rights of Indians. Gandhi became a leader of India's independence movement, organizing boycotts

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