Folk hero

Overview

The folk hero is set apart from a typical mythological hero by forsaking traditionally selfish and individualistic goals in favor of more altruistic goals and deeds. Many folk heroes set themselves apart from others by taking up a fight for the common people against the oppression or corruption of the established power structure, this sort of folk hero often operates outside the law in some way, such as English folk hero Robin Hood.

Another sort of folk hero could be described as the culture hero, a benefactor who provides for a culture or group of people, often as a legendary founder or reformer, who made a major impact which defines the group they were a part of, such as Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.