Why are heroes often orphans?

[spideyboy_1111]

Don't forget Short Round, Indiana Jones technically, Green Lantern, Anakin Skywalker.

This phenomena in literature is strangely like in the 1980s and 90s after parents either died, went missing somewhere far off, or were divorced when the kid protagonists were introduced.

I wouldn't really call it a phenomena or be to astounded in it.. its an archetype that's been around for ages.. First with heroes (probably as a way to show they've overcome great strength and overcame harder obstacles than that of a "normal" person. Infact... I think with the lists we've made prove that. The greatest heroes are essentially all on that list, and they all had to overcome that in which most of us had not.

then of course villain orphan's came along to test the heroes and show the audience what happens when the potential hero fails at there journey and becomes corrupt

 

[Shemtov]

Well, in a lot of cases the villains actions made them orphans and/or adoptees, thus allowing them to have very personal involvement, plus possibly having a character arc where they learn to rise above petty revenge. See Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, and to a certain extent, Batman and Robin.
Also, spideyboy, you forgot Frodo.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

so lets see...

-Spidey
-Batman
-Robin
-Superman
-Captain America
-Daredevil (quasi counts.. he wasnt as young as most children heroes.. but still counts)
-Elektra
-Bond
-Harry Potter
-Luke and Leia Skywalker
-Scott and Alex Summers
-Tarzan
-Wolverine
-Hercules
-Moses
-Claire Bennet from Heroes sort of was.. though her parent weren't killed and she found out later in life she was adopted..
-Storm
-Hulkling
-Wiccan and Speed sort of were
-Mogli (jungle book)
-Blade
-Hulk
-Dorothy of Oz

also, Rogue and Nightcrawler were both Orphaned... but not Orphans if that makes sense.

also Jesus Christ, if you look at him from a mythological stand point like i do, Vito Corleone (though he's not so much of a hero, though he is a protagonist, thus you find yourself rooting for him), king arthur, zeus killed his parents, so i guess he's an orphan (or did he just kill his father? never learned what happened to his mother). frodo baggins, conan, hell, even the kung fu panda's an orphan lol.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Jesus wasn't an orphan. Both his parents survived him. Not that that's really an issue when you're the son of God.

 

[Shemtov]

also Jesus Christ, if you look at him from a mythological stand point like i do, Vito Corleone (though he's not so much of a hero, though he is a protagonist, thus you find yourself rooting for him), king Arthur, Zeus killed his parents, so i guess he's an orphan (or did he just kill his father? never learned what happened to his mother). frodo baggins, Conan, hell, even the kung fu panda's an orphan lol.

Hamlet(sort of) also, Oedipus was adopted, but he's more of a tragic protagonist then a hero.

 

[Shemtov]

Jesus wasn't an orphan. Both his parents survived him. Not that that's really an issue when you're the son of God.

I guess Christians could say he was adopted by Joseph.

 

[HerbLazer]

The only real orphan I can think of is Cyclops, I mean Superman grew up with parents, Spiderman had aunt may and uncle ben, Batman had Alfred. Didn't Captain America grow up in an orphanage too?

 

[Thundercrack85]

I guess Christians could say he was adopted by Joseph.

I guess you could consider Joseph to be his step-dad.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

I guess Christians could say he was adopted by Joseph.

i think when you come out of a womb, and the barer of that womb survives longer than you.. you're technically not an orphan

 

[Angry Monkey]

Voldemort

I already said him.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

The only real orphan I can think of is Cyclops, I mean Superman grew up with parents, Spiderman had aunt may and uncle ben, Batman had Alfred. Didn't Captain America grow up in an orphanage too?

technical meaning of orphan is to have birth parents leave you in death and abandonment.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Well, in a lot of cases the villains actions made them orphans and/or adoptees, thus allowing them to have very personal involvement, plus possibly having a character arc where they learn to rise above petty revenge. See Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, and to a certain extent, Batman and Robin.
Also, spideyboy, you forgot Frodo.

i didnt forget.. i didnt know. lol

 

[HerbLazer]

technical meaning of orphan is to have birth parents leave you in death and abandonment.

Oh? Well, then every superhero ever lol.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Every orphan does have some kind of parental figure or influence (even if it's being raised by a wolf). Otherwise they wouldn't make it to adulthood. Orphan refers to biological parents.

 

[Shemtov]

i think when you come out of a womb, and the barer of that womb survives longer than you.. you're technically not an orphan

I said Christian might consider him an ADOPTEE not an ORPHAN.

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Oh? Well, then every superhero ever lol.

... no lol

 

[spideyboy_1111]

Every orphan does have some kind of parental figure or influence (even if it's being raised by a wolf). Otherwise they wouldn't make it to adulthood. Orphan refers to biological parents.

exactly

 

[spideyboy_1111]

I said Christian might consider him an ADOPTEE not an ORPHAN.

wasn't discrediting you. was just expanding upon it. Since some christians on here already assume him as an orphan, which technically he is not

 

[DarkSovereignty]

most archetypical heroes have a complex-to-non-existant relationship with their fathers, hence why i mentioned jesus, cuz he fits that archetype. guy was bascially bred to be killed like he was cattle...

 

[spideyboy_1111]

also... just an fyi, but while he's the most prominent story... Jesus Christ is also not the original story behind the archetypal hero who sacrifices himself to save.

 

[DarkSovereignty]

not sayin' he's that either, just sayin' he's in a long line of characters of the same ilk, using him as an example ya know?

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

You know who was an orphan? Black Dynamite.

DYNO-MITE! DYNO-MITE!

[YT]EGDPiuukXR4[/YT]

 

[DarkSovereignty]

You know who was an orphan? Black Dynamite.

DYNO-MITE! DYNO-MITE!

[YT]EGDPiuukXR4[/YT]

that is brilliant lmao, i need to see this movie.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

You haven't seen Black Dynamite yet! It is only the greatest movie ever made!

 

[EnigmaChameleon]

Iron Man is for sure. And Odin sort of is, his dad was turned to snow so he's not really there for him per say.