Movies, books, and other forms of media have identified and established many different archetypes. An archetype is "an original pattern or model from which all things of the same type are representations or copies" ("Archetype"). The archetype of a hero has been modified tremendously throughout Hollywood. Hollywood heroes still maintain their courageous and noble characteristics yet now include a twist to their personalities. In recent years, Hollywood has produced two hit-movies relating to the new and improved archetype of a hero: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl. Both movies have moved away from the cliche of the hero always being a flawless male figure. Happily, Hollywood has become more diverse with who can be classified as a hero, accepting the opposite sex and the imperfect. .
According to Rebecca Murry, a hero is "a mythological figure with great strength and abilities; a man admired for his achievements and noble actions." (Slide 2) The hero sets out on a journey, where he makes a name for himself, subsequently returning home to his land or palace receiving the label of a "hero." The hero journey mimics the same concept each time; it ultimately begins when he departs from home, he then faces several trials, and victoriously returns home (Indick). There are many types of heroes raging from the following eras: Classic, Epic, Tragic, Byronic, Romantic, Fairy Tale, Folk, or Modern. Each of these time periods has a story showing the cycle of a hero. .
In the fairytale, Little Snow-White, the main character Snow White is poisoned many times by her jealous stepmother because she wants to be the "fairest in the land." The seven dwarfs save her life numerous times, after coming home and often finding young Snow White lying dead. However, the final time her step mom poisoned her, they could not bring her back.
