Literature is writings having excellence of structure or expression read and enjoyed by an audience. Each literature contains two main characters; the protagonist is the hero or main character in a literary work, and the antagonist is the character in opposition to the protagonist of a literary work. "A Hero is someone who is willing to sacrifice his own needs on behalf of others- (Vogler 39) Sophocles" Antigone, Shakespeare's Romeo, and Fugord's Sam all show this heroic trait.
"Antigone" is a drama written by Sophocles. Antigone fits the character of a hero, because she wanted to bury her brother no matter what the consequences. She was angered by King Creon's law, because a proper burial for her brother was very important to her. In Sophocles" drama, Antigone told King Creon that there was not a thing that he could say that would cause her to regret what she had done. She believed she had given herself and her brother great honor through the burial (439).
Another heroic trait shown by Antigone is she gave up herself for the gods. She knew that the burial of her brother was acceptable in the sight of the gods. "Yes. That order did not come from God. Justice, That dwells with the gods below, knows no such law." (Sophocles 438) She knew what she was doing was right by the gods and also knew she would surely die for burying Polynices.
"Romeo and Juliet" is a drama written by Shakespeare. One heroic trait expressed by Romeo is how he gave up his life for Juliet by marrying her. He discovered that Juliet was a Capulet and was overcome because the two families were enemies. "Is she a Capulet? O dear account! My life is my foe's debt." (Shakespeare 289) He knew his acceptance with his family would be in danger if he married with a Capulet.
Another example of Romeo being a hero is how he literally offered himself for Juliet. Romeo was unaware if Juliet's fake death and saw her in a casket thinking she was dead.