Benevolent, Selfish, or Both?
“Men are naturally benevolent as well as selfish.”
-Benjamin Franklin
I’m a quote girl. I love a good quote, and a good quote can get me thinking about something in a whole new way. Take the above statement by Ben Franklin. I can’t begin to imagine what he was thinking about or referring to when he wrote those words, but what I can imagine is how I might write a hero that embodies Franklin’s assertion.
Here’s what I know about the benevolent, selfish hero I’d create:
- His acts of kindness would stem from the challenges or struggles he endured as a child as a way of mending his bruised heart and soul
- He’s self-made and, while he may not be a gazillionaire, he’s not hurting for money either
- He’s more than willing to part with his money for a good cause, but if he thinks someone is only after his money, watch out
- He’s a hard-ass when it comes to people shirking responsibility. He’s got no time for irresponsibility and he rewards commitment
- When he wants something, he’s single-minded about attaining it
- The above statement is especially true when it comes to women, particularly the woman who manages to get under his skin [even if he thinks she’s after his money, is selfish herself (for her own good reasons, I’m sure), or is someone he sees as less than benevolent]
I could go on and on-and all this just from a single random quote.
Now, how does this relate to Chasing Heroes? As we developed this site, the other angels and I were discussing how to create our Hero Files and the difficulty we might have classifying a hero into just one archetype. So many heroes are a blend - part CHARMER, part CHIEF, part SWASHBUCKLER, part LOST SOUL. A hero who doesn’t have at least a little bit of secondary archetype characteristics is more cardboard cutout than fully developed.
People are complicated. They are layered. They can’t be neatly categorized into one classification.
Neither can heroes.
So while a hero may have one archetype at his core, other opposing or seemingly incongruous qualities also exist in him. Even the most macho man on the face of the earth has emotional or sympathetic moments, whether or not anyone ever sees them.
Ben Franklin hit the nail on the head. Men are both benevolent and selfish. And thank God for that.
Question of the Day:
What’s your favorite type of hero to read about and why?
February 11th, 2008
Misa 
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Everyone loves a good hero, but what do readers, agents, editors, and writers love most? Join us as we delve under the covers and find out!
February 11th, 2008 at 8:35 am
They’re all so attractive, but I am a total sucker for the Lost Soul, or at least an element thereof. I like ‘em used and abused with the scars to prove it–in part because I’m a sadist, but also because surviving trauma without becoming the villain in the story is… I don’t know, there’s an essay in there somewhere (Mommy Didn’t Love Me: Hero and Villain at a Crossroads), but it’s too early for me to write it!
My favorite combo is Lost Soul/Warrior (steely exterior concealing a vulnerable center). That’s probably half the reason I’m such a fan of paranormals–that guy shows up a lot.
February 11th, 2008 at 8:49 am
**Mommy Didn’t Love Me: Hero and Villain at a Crossroads**
This is hilarious, Kerry! I agree, there IS something about the Lost Soul that is so appealing. I think it’s woman’s desire to ‘fix’.
February 11th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I’m a warrior girl. I dig all that macho testosterone that can right all wrongs and would die to defend me. Probably boils down to years of taking care of my self and being strong for others. I’d like someone who would take care of me.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I love them all, but if I could have a choice, I love the bad boy/lost soul who comes out of his shell enough to have a sometimes playful or wicked sense of humor. Luke from Linda Howard’s White Lies is an example, a great hero who is tough and macho, but can engage in a good water fight with the heroine too (ending, of course, in good sex).
February 11th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I love the Swashbuckler. They are larger than life and worth the struggle to capture. They are hard to pin down, but worth it once you have them pinned down, they are yours to do with as you please. LOL
February 11th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Lone Chatelaine, I agree that the attraction to the warrior (and maybe to the chief) is the desire to be taken care of instead of taking care of others. Who wouldn’t love that?!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
“They are yours to do with as you please.” That’s SO intriguing, Jill! Makes the imagination run wild!
February 11th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
More imagination going wild with the water fight image, Virna. =)
February 12th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
A little late in comment, but I love the warrior. He’s tough, not always so good, but reliable….