The definition of a hero

The Archetypes are described in our reading as "indispensable tools for understanding the purpose of function of characters in a story."  The archetypes are then described as functions in the sense that they are flexible characters that can liberate your storytelling.  We then looked into the facets of the hero's personality and this included emanations such as higher self, trickster, and herald.  There are eight archetypes that Vogler describes in the reading.  The eight archetypes are not necessarily a concrete definition of the types of influential figures in storytelling but rather, they are simply variations of what we perceive to be the influential figures. 

I thought that when Vogler was describing the Hero through psychological functions of the ego and through the dramatic functions such as growth and sacrifice.  I believe that all the qualities Vogler describes of the hero are dead on.  Everything that encompasses the hero according to vogler, including character flaws such as a love-lust relationship or an unwilling hero that needs that push by his mentor, make perfect sense in establishing what a hero should be.  Vogler also goes on to describe the Mentor which, as described, can be a wise old man or woman who is there mainly "to protect and to serve," a quote that has now become a motto of certain police departments.  

I thought that Vogler hit the nail on the head for defining a hero.  The eight archetypes clearly label the hero as an individual with which we can all relate through our everyday struggles.  Also the role of the mentor to develop the hero into a victorious man or woman over whatever struggle they may face, be it interpersonal or some sort of outside conflict.  There are also many types of mentors that can both help or hurt the hero throughout his journey.  Although the idea of a mentor is someone who helps, negative criticism and things of that nature can also be ways to define a hero.  I thought that all in all, vogler described the archetypes flawlessly.