True Heroes In Robert Ray's The Thematic Paradigm

When someone hears or reads the word “hero” people tend to start with the thought of a super hero, such as Batman, Superman, Spiderman, Captain America and countless other super heroes. That is fine except you are thinking of super heroes. True heroes don’t have any special ability. This is pointed out quite clearly in Robert Ray’s “The Thematic Paradigm.” Ray also argues that movie heroes that are from an American background can be classified as either official heroes, outlaw heroes, or a combination of the two; this is known as a reluctant hero. Ray also points out the fact that all heroes are contradictory of ideologies (which endorse both community and individual values) which underpin American society. General Maximus Deciums Meridius, …show more content…
These are incredibly important aspects of ‘growing up’ so to say. Maximus rarely lets emotions affect his thought process for making decisions. He is wise from experiences in the military and applies those experiences to his own life. Maximus judges all fairly. He is an understanding man, helping those that require his assistance.
General Maximus makes all of his decisions through sound reasoning. Maximus requires that, to achieve his goal of vengeance. In order for this to be done he has to make his way to Rome. Maximus has won several small league fights on his own. After he convinces his owner, Antonius Proximo, asking to himself to Rome. Once there he uses his superior military tactics to help him achieve his goal. Maximus reveals himself to the people of Rome after winning a ‘spectacular’ fight.
Maximus also has wisdom beyond his years. He gained this wisdom due to his many years of service for the Roman military and the experience that is brought upon him by it. Maximus is particularly wise in matters of warfare and combat, specifically he is particularly wise by using his skills to his advantage by virtually any means necessary. He used his speed to an advantage against those that towered him in size and strength. He used his superior intellect to get what he …show more content…
The most prominent example of this is Emperor Commodus’ sister Lucilla. He is sympathetic towards her for two main reasons. First the hinting of the old flame cliché that they shared. Second, and possibly most important, Emperor Commodus uses her son to control her. Maximus shows such sympathy toward Lucilla because his wife and son was taken from him by Emperor Commodus. He doesn’t want anyone else to share that fate.
An Official hero, according to Ray, “were preeminently worldly, comfortable in society, and willing to undertake even those public duties demanding personal sacrifice” (380). Maximus wants to live a comfortable life in which he settles down with his family. He was truly comfortable with society and believes that he could lead that kind of life. Maximus is also concerning himself with the material values that his peers and country men can live a life free of tyranny. He wants his people to live without fearing their own governing body.
Maximus sacrifices so much to help those whom are unable to help themselves. He risks his life on many occasions to provide the notion of what he wants to happen. Maximus gambles with his life every time he stepped into the arena. He sacrificed all that time, effort, and blood to achieve what has been dreaming