In mythology and folklore, the word hero (From the Ancient Greek ἥρως.) or heroine (From the Ancient Greek ἡρωίνη.) usually fulfills the definitions of what is considered good and noble in the originating culture. Typically the willingness to sacrifice the self for the greater good is seen as the most important defining characteristic of a hero. However, in literature, particularly in tragedy, the hero may also have serious flaws which lead to their downfall, e.g. Hamlet. Such heroes are often called . Sometimes a person might achieve a high enough status to become courageous in people's minds. This often leads to a rapid growth of myths around the person(s) in question, often attributing him or her with extraordinary powers. Some social commentators describe the need for heroes in times