John McClain (Die Hard series) is a fallible man who becomes the hero when he willingly intrudes on the villain's plan.
A Reluctant Hero is a tarnished or ordinary man with several faults or a troubled past, and he is pulled reluctantly into the story, or into heroic acts.
Description[]
The reluctant hero is typically portrayed either as an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances which require him to rise to heroism, or as a person with extraordinary abilities who nonetheless evinces a desire to avoid using those abilities for the benefit of others. In either case, the reluctant hero does not initially seek adventure or the opportunity to do good, and their apparent selfishness may draw them into the category of antiheroes. The reluctant hero differs from the antihero in that the story arc of the former inevitably results in their becoming a true hero.
In many stories, the reluctant hero is portrayed as having a period of doubt after his initial foray into heroism. This may be brought about by the negative consequences of his own heroic actions, or by the achievement of some position of personal safety - leaving the audience to wonder whether he will return to heroism at the moment when he is needed the most.
Associations[]
Known Examples[]
Live-Action Films[]
- John McClain (Die Hard series)
- Han Solo (Star Wars series)
Western-Animated Films[]
- Jack Frost (Rise of the Guardians)
- Shrek (Shrek)
