The heroic ideal is exhibited in various ways in different works of literature. In The Odyssey, Odysseus must endure an arduous journey during which he is confronted with numerous challenges and during which time the sanctity of his marriage is threatened. He is heroic for overcoming these obstacles with honor. In the Analects of Confucius, following the path of righteousness and right conduct is heroic. In Plato's Apology, Socrates defends himself against charges of the state and explains why he would rather die than act in an unjust manner. This last depiction of the heroic I believe most applies to modern society. This is because Plato's definition of the heroic, as illustrated through Socrates, pits the individual against the state. It is because Socrates follows a higher law than manmade law that he is portrayed as more just than the state in accepting his unjust death sentence, and this is what makes him heroic.
In Plato's Apology, Socrates is charged with corrupting the youth of Athens. This charges stems from his teaching philosophy to young Athenians and showing impiety to the gods. We see that Socrates is heroic because he will risk challenging manmade authority for a higher authority, that of the gods, no matter the risk to his own person. Piety to the gods requires pursuing a higher path of justice and truth, even when it conflicts with manmade laws. We see this philosophy is one that was adopted by both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. in resisting forces much more powerful than themselves. Socrates makes it quite clear from where he derives his values and sense of justice, "Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you" (Plato, 1956, p. 74). Despite being accused of impiety to the gods, Socrates shows piety for them by challenging manmade laws he believes undermine the higher laws of the gods. What makes him heroic is that, like Gandhi and King Jr., h...