Hero

The one who saves the day.

Gendering of Hero

The word "hero" is marked according to gender. The existence of a feminine form, "heroine", means that the form "hero", as the default, becomes masculine by opposition.

But the value of "heroine" is also different in that the qualities associated with a heroine are not the same as those associated with a hero.

Examples of usage

• The opening voiceover for Xena: Warrior Princess says "In a time of anicent gods, warlords and kings, a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle. Her courage will change the world."

Hero vs. Protagonist

Heroes are not necessarily the protagonists of a story, but the two types of character often overlap; hence the common term "hero/protagonist".

See also

• lists of...

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