Different aspects give meaning to life. To some, it is the personal struggle to accomplish extraordinary undertakings, and hence, in a unique manner, be termed as heroes. To others, it is their belief, one in which they are deeply rooted in such a way that it defines their way of life and hence, in one way or another, be termed as saints. Regardless of what an individual pursues in a bid to obtain the meaning of life, change is inevitable. The above can be portrayed in the shift in the concepts of a hero and saint. In this, it can further be exemplified by changes in intricate factors that concern romanticism which were put forward by individuals such as St. Francis of Assisi and Dante Alighieri, The agony and the ecstasy of Michelangelo a renowned artist of his time, Kierkegaard's portrayal of Abraham as well as the enlightenment patterns of cultural mutation.
Romanticism, a phenomenon that emerged in the 13th century portrays the change in the thoughts surrounding a hero and saint in different mannerism. St. Francis of Assisi process of a becoming a saint is misaligned with those that preceded his birth. While initially it was primarily believed that religious grounds such as being a Roman Catholic or an Islam ware a pathway to be a saint, St. Francis' concept of a saint differed to a large extent. His meaning of living as a saint was derived from living a life of love and faith in Jesus Christ. Dante extrapolated what was started by St. Francis by living a life of love. Change is even more pronounced by his decision to leave behind his sinful way of life. His newly acquired life of love is put across by his artistic works such as love poems.
Kierkegaard's portrays Abraham as an individual who obeys God’s will to sacrifice his only son not out of his will but because of the influence of a higher being than him. A change of perspectives is evident when Kierkegaard contrasts Abraham’s actions with social norms. He asserts that while it would have been possible for others in Abraham’s community to do the same due to an influence of social norms, Abraham’s heroic action was as a result of obedience to a supernatural being.
The agony and ecstasy of Michelangelo equally a change in the concept of a hero and a saint. While his magnificent artworks and the odds he overcomes such as resistance from his father for him to become an artist bring out his heroic characteristics, his ecstasy later in his life even strengthen this more. His early work, in addition, such as The Roman Pieta, portrays Mary as a hero due to the strength she possesses after losing her son. Change evident in his later works which show conflict to a large extent. In the second and third Pieta, the heroic theme that was prominent in the first one was much more conflicted, probably showing the change in his emotional attachment in coming up with them.
In enlightenment patterns of cultural mutation, it is evident that one’s ethics, as well as morals, are a big determinant of his or her faith and how others view him or her. Change is however evident with science trying to combine the above view into a worldview, hence altering heroism definition. Science to a large extent emphasizes on competitiveness as a result of environmental factors, thus widely contrasting the initial view.
The acts and undertakings of the individuals mentioned above show development over time. Although there is a conflict that is triggered by inner struggle, their heroic desires prevail. Through their actions they have not been able to blend their undertakings to suit those of a hero and a saint, their personal development shows the changes in the view of both aspects.
