Over time the definition of a hero has changed. Today's hero can be defined as a person admired for performing a courageous and courageous act. The definition of hero has had different meanings during different time periods. The classical hero, the medieval hero, the romantic hero and the modern hero all have different characteristics that define them. The main characteristics of a classical hero are that he must be born into a royal family or half mortal and half god. A classical hero must perform extraordinary feats and be a noble character. The hero's death must occur in an unusual way. A classic hero will fight for his honor. An example of a classical hero would be Hercules (Norman). A medieval hero has different characteristics from a classical hero. A medieval hero must be loyal and obedient to the hierarchy. Must be a man considered to have good moral character. A medieval hero must also follow the rules of chivalry, dress, courtesy and the (Norman) code of conduct. Unlike the medieval hero, the romantic hero's moral codes are eccentric; heroes can make their own rules. Even romantic heroes do not have to be faithful to a hierarchy but are instead faithful to a certain project. Self-knowledge for a romantic hero is valued above physical strength and (Norman) endurance. The modern hero seeks survival. Unlike the medieval hero, the modern hero does not have a code of ethics but instead has a code of behavior. The modern hero has internal and external struggles. His internal struggles involve addiction to alcohol, money and drugs. The hero's external struggles concern corruption within government and formal (Norman) organizations. While the defining characteristics of each of these heroes are different from those in...... middle of paper ......ps they lost their lives protecting the United States. First responders and troops are the definition of a true hero. Over time, the characteristics that define a hero have changed. Different cultures have had an impact on the characteristics that define a hero. The different types of heroes all have differences between them. There are still some characteristics that have not changed in the definition of a hero. Courage and courage are characteristics that have defined all heroes. Works Cited "Heroic Characters". Changing mentality. Np, nd Web. May 29, 2014.Norman, Vera. "Four conceptions of the heroic". Company of Reason. Np, 2005. Web. May 29, 2014."The Four Types of Heroes/The Hero Archetype Resource." Np, 2011. Web. May 29, 2014. Wilhelm, Jeffrey D., et al. A short story of heroes. 2004. Glencoe Literature. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2009. 69-72. Press.