In my opinion, a genuine hero possesses traits such as steadfast courage, nobility, faith, valor, hope, motivation, and bravery. A hero is an individual who selflessly assists others and is truly worthy of admiration. They are someone who fights for or undertakes actions for a noble purpose. Being a hero entails stepping up and actively pursuing what is morally correct, rather than succumbing to personal preference, convenience, or societal pressure.
Today, there are various interpretations of what constitutes a hero, but a true hero is someone who brings about positive change and has a profound impact on others’ lives. In the case of Tartuffe, the real heroes include the king, Dorine, Elmire, Damis, and Cleante. These individuals are my heroes in this literary work because they are able to see through the deceitful charlatan Tartuffe and expose him. Dorine, for example, declares, “You see him as a saint. I’m far less awed; In fact, I see right through him. He’s a fraud.” (Tartuffe, 1.1.23). Unlike Madam Pernelle and Orgon, the others were never truly deceived. “Good God!
Damis expressed his discontent with Orgon’s judgment of their actions, stating, “Do you expect me to submit to the tyranny of that carping hypocrite? Must we forgo all joys and satisfactions because that bigot censures all our action?” (Tartuffe, 1. 1. 18). He boldly voiced what others were thinking. It was only when Elmire decided to expose Orgon’s blindness that he saw Tartuffe’s true nature. Elmire declared, “You’ve been too long deceived, and I’m quite tired of being disbelieved. Come now: let’s put my statements to the test, and you shall see the truth made manifest” (Tartuffe, 4. . 22). Although Tartuffe remained suspicious, Elmire tactfully approached him, demonstrating her wisdom in dealing with such individuals. She explained, “Ah, Sir, if that refusal made you smart, it’s little that you know of woman’s heart, or what that heart is trying to convey when it resists in such feeble way! Always, at first our modesty prevents the frank avowal of tender sentiments” (Tartuffe, 4. 5. 4). Elmire’s actions were challenging but necessary; she became Orgon’s hero by preventing him from being deceived by the hypocrite. Towards the end, Cleante cornered Tartuffe.
When Tartuffe arrived with the Officer, he had already presented the evidence to the king, attempting to portray Orgon as an immoral person. However, Tartuffe had no response when Cleante questioned his motives, saying: “Why did you not bring forth your evidence until after your outraged host had expelled you? I will not say that receiving all of Orgon’s treasure should have weakened your determination; but if he is indeed a traitor, as you claim, how could you stoop to accepting his inheritance?” (Tartuffe, 5.7 EDIT). Ultimately, it is when everything appears to be going wrong that the Officer exposes the true intentions of the king.
The king chose to apprehend Tartuffe rather than Orgon and commanded him to give back Orgon’s possessions, as he esteems virtuous individuals and has no tolerance for hypocrites. According to Tartuffe, the king “respects upright men of all sorts, but his passion for virtue isn’t blind; his love of piety never numbs his reason nor makes him indulgent toward hypocrites” (5. 7. 19). Numerous characters in the narrative were hailed as heroes for their efforts in exposing a deceitful man, yet ultimately, the true hero was the king. If it weren’t for him, Orgon would have endured condemnation even after uncovering the truth.
In Candide, the main character named Candide is portrayed as a heroic figure with several admirable qualities. These include sympathy, perseverance, honesty, kindness, selflessness, resilience, and faithfulness. Candide demonstrates his heroism by rescuing his friends from difficult situations and displaying bravery in defending his love for Cunegonde. Despite changes in his feelings towards her over time, he remains committed to fulfilling the promise of marrying her. Initially depicted as ignorant due to unwavering belief in Pangloss’s optimism, Candide undergoes significant character development throughout the novel. He becomes more aware of life’s harsh realities while maintaining nobility and a willingness to help others. However, it takes some time for him to adopt a new perspective and view the world differently.
After Pangloss’s death, Candide’s separation from him caused a change in his beliefs and made him question his philosophy towards the end of the novel. Candide directly asked Pangloss if he still believed that everything is for the best in this world, even after experiencing being hanged, dissected, beaten severely, and sentenced to hard labor on a ship (Candide, p. 577). Although they received acts of kindness, the people at the farm continued to be unhappy and believed that they were better off before, despite starting over and settling down together.
According to the Old Woman in Candide, it is uncertain which situation is worse: being repeatedly raped by black pirates or passively sitting and doing nothing. This moment marks Candide’s turning point, as he starts to doubt Pangloss’s optimistic philosophy and realizes that true happiness and fulfillment can only be achieved by taking action and tending to one’s own garden.
Pangloss maintains that all events in the best of all possible worlds are connected. He gives examples of various misfortunes that ultimately led to positive outcomes, such as being kicked out of a castle, facing the Inquisition, traveling on foot, becoming a baron, and losing sheep. Candide agrees with Pangloss but emphasizes the need to work in their garden. The text concludes that the king is the most heroic character in both Tartuffe and Candide. Despite Tartuffe’s attempts to appear innocent and well-intentioned, the king sees through his deception and does not believe anything said against Orgon. The officer praises the prince who detests deceit and cannot be fooled by tricksters. The king’s commitment to justice and ensuring the right person goes to jail makes him admirable. In addition, an example of a hero in contemporary times is CARE, a non-profit organization fighting global poverty.
Special emphasis is given to working closely with impoverished women as they possess the potential to aid entire families and communities in breaking free from poverty once provided with adequate resources.
Women play a leading role in CARE’s community-driven initiatives, which focus on enhancing basic education, disease prevention, clean water and sanitation access, economic opportunities, and natural resource conservation. Furthermore, CARE provides emergency assistance to individuals affected by conflicts and disasters, helping them rebuild their lives. The impact of CARE is significant as it positively affects numerous families and their livelihoods. These women are true heroes who dedicate themselves altruistically to making a difference in the lives of others.
A hero is someone who is both accomplished and compassionate. They assist others selflessly, driven by both their innate goodness and a sense of moral responsibility. Heroes transcend obstacles and challenges, ensuring justice prevails and ultimately emerge triumphant. While diverse in their individuality, all heroes inspire us to improve our own lives and willingly strive to effect positive change in the lives of others.
