We don’t need another hero, do we? Researching heroism from a cultural perspective

Abstract | Abstract

This article addresses different aspects of heroes and heroism and it offers an introductory analysis of approaches to heroism, which may be relevant for the articles in this issue of Academic Quarter. These approaches are all from a culturally theoretical perspective. They encompass a discussion of an ontological need for heroes. The sections of the article are also about mythological heroism, the hero’s quest as a narrative principle, heroes as historical agents and modern heroism. The latter is also of a reflexive and critical nature and under the heading of “the besieged hero”, it includes a discussion of the problematic figure of the superhero as found in blockbuster movies.