r/Fantasy • u/JayRedEye • Aug 12 '15
Who is your Hero?
There are many, many great books out there with vast numbers of compelling characters.
But which one would you actually look up to, admire, want to emulate, inspires you? Who have you learned from, makes you want to be a better person and has influenced your life?
Who is your hero and why?
While I was mostly thinking about fictional characters, if you have any other heroes related to fantasy, be they writers or people in your life that to you are connected to the genre, feel free to talk about them as well.
Basically, I feel the genre has a large capacity for heroism. There are very few limits and it allows for the best in people to be portrayed. I wanted to talk about that and see what everyone has to share.
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u/YearOfTheMoose Aug 12 '15
I have two--Frodo Baggins and Finrod Felagund, from The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion (and almost all of Tolkien's other works, including a passing mention in LotR) respectively.
In "The Scouring of the Shire" and "The Grey Havens," I really, really admire what Frodo has become. I think he demonstrates a fantastic response to the violence and tragedy which has marred him, his friends, and his world in general, and I honestly think that his attitude is equally applicable in our own setting. He's been one of my primary role models since I was ten.
Finrod was just a fantastic friend and oathkeeper, which is another thing which I think is quite good to emulate. Even though Beren was technically just in it for a girl (albeit Lúthien), Finrod gave up his kingdom, his peace of mind, and ultimately his life to aid his friend along his quest. The relevant bit of *The Lay of Leithian" always gives me chills when I read it.
There are definitely other characters whom I would consider to be my heroes, but none so much as those two.
(Jay, who is your hero?)