Why are they called Hero(es)/Heroine(s)?
Tonni asked a question in the comments for the Hero Worship thread: Why do authors call the main characters hero and heroine in their stories?
My response:
Hero and Heroine are simply put the main focus of the book/novel. They are the driving force of the book. Hero/Heroine not only drive the central romance plot but help determine the overall story needs which can include subplots, secondary and tertiary characters. Hero/Heroine’s often get the most in-depth characterization, backstory, GMC (Check out Debra Dixon’s website for more info - - Goal, Motivation, Conflict ) as well as the antagonist/villian/anti-hero. It also stems from the “Hero’s Journey“.
From Research:
From the Greek , in mythology and folklore, a hero (male) or heroine (female) are characters that in the face of danger and adversity, from a position of weakness display courage and the will for self-sacrifice, that is, heroism, for some greater good, originally of martial courage or excellence but extended to more general moral excellence. In literature, particularly in tragedy, the hero may also have serious flaws which lead to their downfall, e.g. Hamlet. Such heroes are often called tragic heroes.“Hero” or “Heroine” are terms used to describe the protagonist of a story, or the love interest, a usage which can conflict with the more-than-human expectations of heroism.
Heroes and heroines often stand out because they have distinctive strengths or personality traits. However, many stories may present an ordinary person leading an ordinary life, who in drawing upon “ordinary” character traits can stand out as being special. Heroes and heroines in good literature are portrayed as complex individuals, so it is necessary to analyze them in a holistic manner by paying special attention to the interplay of both positive and negative traits. Many main characters are strong role models because they rise above their own negative traits or weaknesses and overcome personal challenges. We often find protagonists inspiring because they demonstrate the need for individuals to be resilient and to respond proactively to challenging circumstances. Discussing heroes and heroines with children presents countless opportunities for considering how character traits are expressed in others, and how children can develop positive character traits in themselves.
References:
From the Dictionary:
Hero:
- A person who is admired for their courage or outstanding achievements.
- The chief male character in a book, play or film.
Heroine:
- A woman admired for her courage or outstanding achievements.
- The chief female character in a book, play, or film.
The terms are interchangable with female/male protagonist, main character or lead as well. Not everyone uses the term but it has become a standard when discussing romance books in particular. And I can honestly say - this gave me food for thought. Thanks Tonni.
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