Hollywood has a habit of rendering complex literary heroes into one-dimensional figures. Nolan’s The Odyssey dodges this trap.
Articles on Heroes
Displaying 1 - 20 of 26 articles
Courage is widely considered a fundamental human virtue. A professor of psychology and a university president break down the components of courageous action.
An early figure in the psychoanalytic movement, Jung is often written off. But his ideas of the collective unconscious and emphasis on archetype and myth resonate.
Heroes take a personal risk for the common good. Some people may just be born with the personality traits of a hero – but anyone can get ready to act heroically.
Study after study has shown that men tend to be more willing to put themselves in harm’s way to help others. Why some men rise to the occasion – and others don’t – has been a bit trickier to pin down.
The Russian army has fared poorly and the Ukrainian military has fared well, defying experts’ predictions about the war in Ukraine. Can children’s fairy tales help explain the difference?
In Latin America, common citizens have often donned outlandish outfits and comic book-inspired personas to lead demonstrations and promote social change.
The author’s novels, famous for their bleakly sociopathic depiction of American culture, testify to the insanity and abusiveness that surround us.
Just like in the days following 9/11, celebrities most successfully use their star power in the COVID-19 crisis when they appear to step out of the limelight, publicly praising first responders.
How politicians can benefit from a narrative of heroism.
Hope can be acquired. How? Here are some suggestions from an expert.
We do a disservice to survivors of major tragedies when we call them “heroes.” Instead, we should change our policies and attitudes to help them truly survive the disaster.
Vladimir Putin has proposed changes to the Russian constitution, which could mark the start of a shift in his persona as a national hero.
We don’t want to have to think about our role in creating the individuals who commit violence. Amazingly, Joker asks us to.
Ben Stokes has gone from villain to national hero. His story provides hope for us all.
Psychology researchers are interested in what makes a hero. Turns out many mothers tick off those same boxes by fulfilling a range of needs for their offspring.
When Spartacus and 70 or so of his comrades revolted and escaped from their gladiatorial school near Capua in 73 BC, everyone imagined the matter would soon be dealt with. But his rebellion has continued to inspire political movements.
What is a hero? If President Macron really likes heroes, shouldn’t he revise his idea of what he calls “economic migrants”?
American cinema mines Greek myth most strongly at times of profound social anxiety. In the age of Trump, we are already seeing key political battlegrounds framed as underworld quests in film.
One of the many roles of Vietnam’s fascinating “cult of heroes” is to ensure government control over religious feeling, channeling it into nationalism.
Top contributors
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Senior Lecturer in International Politics, Aberystwyth University
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Maitre de Conférences, Université Paris Cité
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Director of Education, Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research Data and Method, Cardiff University
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Paul Eliadis Chair of Classics and Ancient History, The University of Queensland
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Researcher, Université Paris Nanterre
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Assistant Professor, Film; Department of Theatre, Film & Communication Arts, Whittier College
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Professor, University of Leeds
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Professor of American Politics, Fairleigh Dickinson University
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Lecturer, Public Policy and Political Communications, The University of Melbourne
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Honorary Associate, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University
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Professor of Hispanic Studies, Virginia Tech
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Reader in Sport Psychology, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University., Loughborough University
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Professor of French and Comparative Literature, Georgetown University
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Research Fellow in Social Psychology, Georgia State University
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Emeritus Commonwealth Professor of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University