What makes a hero?

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 43947

>From my youth up, I have simply adored the Arthurian legends.  IMO, I 
have always seen Arthur as the epitome of the flawed hero-one who is 
brave and true to himself-but very human in his limitations.  IMO, a 
comparison can be drawn between Arthur and Harry (please excuse me if 
this has been done before)- at least, to a certain extent.  It has 
been said by some that Arthur was a victim of his fate ( as you know- 
I do NOT believe in fate).  I do not see this - Arthur made his 
choices-sometimes he was right but at other significant times, he was 
wrong-for which, he paid a heavy price.  Let let me list one of the 
similarities:  both Harry and Arthur were "orphans" (Arthur's mother 
was living-but he did not know her)-raised to a certain age without 
knowledge of their special heritages (Arthur-king; Harry-wizard).  We 
know from Dumbledore that this was done in Harry's case to give him a 
certain amount of protection.  The same can be said for Arthur.  IMO, 
there is another benefit to this separation.  Arthur/Harry both had 
the opportunity to view the world from a different angle which would 
add to their ability to make educated choices later.  Bravery, 
integrity-an open heart coupled with an open mind, the ability to 
adapt and then take action and not be tied down with concepts such as 
fate and destiny- IMO, are some of the most important qualities of a 
hero.

Bugaloo37-who believes that tragedies always reveal what is worst and 
what is best in human nature.