Expectations of a Hero

        What defines a hero? Is it the way he behaves? His braveness? His courage? The decisions which are made under pressure in order to save the lives of others? What defines a hero is different for every individual being as we each have different ethical values, morals as well as different points of view as to how to deal with decisions which are made throughout life.Most heroes are thought to be males. When the word hero pops into my head, the image which comes to mind is not often of a female, but instead, what comes to mind is the image of a strong man with some sort of super power or weapon which can defeat all. Those heroes who come to mind are Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and the only women who comes to mind is Wonder Women, clearly this is a great example as to how men are much more commonly viewed as heroes then women are.

       This brings me to the question of if women are always to be viewed as the victim in the story or the prize girl of the hero. Another thought which greatly comes to mind when I place more thought into the fact of women always being the victims in the stories would be all the Disney fairytales which most of us read stories on or watched movies about as a child. Among these stories are the princesses: Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, and many more.. who's prince charming always is the hero who saves there day.

       Heroes are known for always saving the day; however, I can not help but wonder if they hurt those who are close to themselves in the proccess. As well as if they are in fact completely sane... It also brings some of my ethics into question. Such as is it okay for a hero to kill those who get in their way? What makes it ok for the hero and completely innapropriate for the villain? Both the hero and the villain have a purpose and a goal in mind. It is clear that if it weren't for the villains those who are viewed as hero's would not be seen as heroes without them.

        The obvious difference as to what makes the person a hero and not a villain, is not the powers which they may have, nor there great strength, but the fact that a true hero has in mind the safety of the people, there well being, and place themselves in great risks and dangers in order to save others. Where a villain's actions are very selfish and done so to benefit themselves hurting others in the process.

         This brings me to the conclusion that Gilgamesh does not in fact fit that definition being as he is very selfish and acts only for his own benefits. He is in fact different from a regular person; however, does this truley make him a hero? I think not in my opinion.