# The Hero — Essays character guide

> The Hero in Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0002-the-service

## Who they are

Generic heroic figure in philosophical passages.

## Relationships

### [Thomas Carlyle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/thomas_carlyle)

_psychological_

The Hero and Thomas Carlyle are linked by Carlyle's concept of hero-worship, with the Hero representing an idealized figure under Carlyle's philosophical lens.

### [Ossian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/ossian)

_psychological_

Ossian, a legendary bard, is connected to the Hero through mythic narrative, representing an idealized heroic past.

### [Captain John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/captain_john_brown)

_psychological_

Captain John Brown is viewed as a heroic figure, embodying the archetype of the Hero in his radical abolitionist actions.

### [Captain John Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/captain_john_brown)

_psychological_

Captain John Brown is viewed as a heroic figure, embodying the archetype of the Hero in his radical abolitionist actions.

## In the story

### [The Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/the-service)

Central figure in Thoreau's meditation on moral courage and the ideal of service.

### [I: Qualities of the Recruit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/i-qualities-of-the-recruit)

Referenced as the sixth champion against Thebes, bearing a shield with no device.

### [II: What Music Shall We Have?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/ii-what-music-shall-we-have)

Referenced as the brave man who is the sole patron of music and compels concord everywhere.

### [III: Not How Many, but Where the Enemy Are](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/iii-not-how-many-but-where-the-enemy-are)

Implied ideal of the brave life, contrasted with temporary exploits and cowardice.

### [On the Duty of Civil Disobedience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/on-the-duty-of-civil-disobedience)

Referenced as one of the few who serve the state with their conscience and resist it.

### [Sir Walter Raleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/sir-walter-raleigh)

Abstract figure discussed in the context of heroism; the chapter contrasts different types of heroic bearing.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/the_hero
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters