The Last of the Mohicans - Essay Example

In the film’ The Last of the Mohicans’, the character named Hawkeye exhibits some attributes that highlight qualities of an epic hero in him. Epic heroes depict a combination of numerous characteristics that distinguish them from other heroes, and this paper will consider the attributes of Hawkeye that make him one. One of the attributes that define epic heroes was that they grew up under unique circumstances, and faced compelling situations that they had to overcome. The author highlights the fact that the parents of Hawkeye died when he was at a tender age, a factor that compelled him to grow up by the side of his foster father.

Although Hawkeye was a white, he ended up growing up with red Indians who were Native Americans. Growing up with foster parents must have presented him with multiple challenges, but he coped and learned their culture. Irrespective of the inherent differences in cultures between the whites and the red Indians, Hawkeye depicted the capacity to adapt to the diversity. Despite his racial difference, he managed to create bonds with the red Indians becoming part of them in the social sense. Since he stayed with the red Indians for a long time, he absorbed the values that defined the Red Indian culture and was practicing it.

There is evidence for this in the way he described the prowess of the red Indians in war (Grazia 1). Epic heroes usually embark on a sort of journey with a distinct purpose to achieve. In the book ‘The Last of the Mohicans’, Hawkeye and some of his Indian companions walked for a distance before reaching the fort which the French and the Indians had designated as center of war after attacking the fort (Sandy 2). Apparently, the distance he walked through the forest that all members of the society dreaded because of the impeding Indians, and exhibited determination of achieving his purpose, are attributes that qualify him for being an epic hero.

The journey to the fort proves to have multiple challenges, compelling Hawkeye and his companions to exhibit courage regardless of their awareness of danger. All through, Hawkeye maintains his role as a warrior with the willingness to fight against the Huron, Magua, and his plans. Intense fighting ensues in the film, but that does alter the convictions and confidence of Hawkeye (Grazia 1). As many epic heroes described before, Hawkeye exhibited sense of honesty and courage. These attributes served to set him apart from his companions (Sandy 2).

When they met Munro’s daughters Cora and Alice, he decided to inform them that the Huron Magua was leading them on the wrong track. Moreover, he exhibited determination to help them get back on the right track. At this point, Huron managed to escape before Hawkeye and his Indian companions captured him so that he would no longer lead Munro’s daughters. Hawkeye and his companions decided to present the two women with escort of nearing their home. Moreover, he led the rescue presented to the two girls making it evident that he had courage.

His courage helped him rescue Cora, Alice, and Damat from the Huron. Most of the epic heroes usually make sacrifices for the sake of others with a rare willingness and readiness (Sandy 2). There was impeding danger from the Huron, but Hawkeye took a leading role in devising ways of rescuing the captives. He exhibited a sacrificial spirit of saving the team regardless of the Huron. Hawkeye was a white, who had acquired advanced skills and cultural aspects from the red Indians that