ITP: Hero Question

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

[Video]
[For some reason today, Shirou felt like pouring what's left of his broken existence into someone else besides Issei and Saber.
 
In layman's term, Shirou's feeling talky talky today about his idiocy (Rushing into a Shadow battle to save someone.]
 
...
 
What is a hero to you all?
 
[Still, asking a deep question like this is not Shirou at all.]

Comments

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

Someone like you, I suppose.

[Video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

I'm... not really a hero yet, Issei.

[Video]

[unknownrival.livejournal.com]

You act like you're one.

[Text]

[nrvn-qsr.livejournal.com]

[Text]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

Then what's the right one?

[Video]

[soulsborderline.livejournal.com]

Someone who defeats the bad guys, obviously.

[Video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

Is that what it really means for you?

[Being a hero ain't that easy.

You gotta be as dumb as him.]

[Video]

[cut-lass.livejournal.com]

[]

A hero is someone who's willing to put his or her life in the line for the sake of others!

[Video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

[He said hero, yep!]

...Yeah, that sounds about right.

[Video]

[toomanypetals.livejournal.com]

...A hero is... someone who gives up a part of themselves for the sake of others.

[He's still thinking about it. Because when you put it in those terms, Kanda sounds like a hero, too, and he just doesn't like that. But it's the best he's got.]

[Video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

And what would be his or her reason to sacrifice themselves for other people?

Video

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

Someone who puts themselves at risk for other people, without expecting anything in return.

*What doesn't occur to him is that he's done exactly that for someone multiple times, so shouldn't he qualify too?*

Video

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

[He gives a nod.

Yeah that's the right answer.]

Do you consider yourself to be one?

[maguskiller.livejournal.com]

[This is a worrying question, coming from Shirou. Then again, he was already aware of his desire to be a hero.]

An individual who saves as many lives as he can.

What's a hero to you, Shirou?

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

...someone like you, I suppose.

[YEP DAD LOOK WHO ADMIRES YOU.

...also your biggest fan but that's a given.]

Video

[myblimpisbigger.livejournal.com]

A Hero is a social construct and entirely subjective. I have known Heroes, living legends, who were as human as any other man.

If we define a Hero as someone who is looked up to, then we by necessity must include every dictator who ever had followers, every mad genius who ever had minions. If we attempt to circumvent this by defining a Hero as someone who does good, then we must in turn define what 'good' is, something entirely subjective. I am both reviled as a Villain and lauded as a Hero depending on with whom you speak, and both sides of the argument have valid points to raise.

The real question is not what is a Hero, but whose opinion on who is a Hero do you want to believe?

[Is this a subject he feels passionately about? Nooooo...]

Video

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

But what if you define a Hero as someone who selflessly continues to save everyone he meets, despite the suffering that he will endure as a consequence of that?

[video]

[croibhristeoir]

Whether in service to their lord, their country, or something else, a hero is one who sacrifices all that they have to ensure the safety and happiness of others.

But it is not as simple as it sounds. Whether human or demigod, people are not selfless by nature. Becoming one who puts others before themselves without question is a path that will lead to pain no matter how successful they are. No matter how many lives one improves, there will always be failures, loss, and even betrayal.

In my own personal experience, it is an existence that is simultaneously worthwhile and yet full of suffering.

[video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

Did you ever regret taking that path, even if it was momentary?

[video]

[greyerrant.livejournal.com]

There are no heroes. Only men, duty, and honor. If you are lucky, you may see a destiny. But no more than that. Heroism is simply vainglory.

[video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

But what if its not?

[Because Garviel could be counted as one as well...]

[video]

[best-king.livejournal.com]

[Oh fuck. Shirou does not want to hear anything coming out of his arrogant mou-]

There are no 'true heroes'. Only glorified men or women from a time long forgotten. Many of them were not even truly heroes. They all had their flaws, but those flaws have been throw away by the mongrels to preserve a 'perfect hero'.

[wow did he just insult himself?]

[video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

...

[Hang on he's looking kinda stunned.

OF ALL PEOPLE TO SAY THIS, IT HAD TO BE YOU.]

[Video]

[fellfromgraces.livejournal.com]

[THIS POST WAS MADE FOR FLONNE]

A hero is someone who fights for justice and love!

[Video]

[fatestayhome.livejournal.com]

Justice and love, huh?

[Just like those campy shows he had watched as a kid.]