Hi friends,
Happy Wednesday! Always glad to spend a day with you. Last time I shared about female protagonists, and we chatted about whether they still needed to be young, pretty, and likable. Today, I thought I’d pose the question about heroes. Do they still need to be handsome, strong, and swoonworthy?
Years ago, the debate was whether a hero should be an alpha or a beta. In case you aren’t familiar with the terms, an alpha hero is generally referred to as an assertive man of action, a protector. He’s complex with depth, flaws and often angst, he’s powerful and goes after what he wants. A wonderful blog post from Writer for Harlequin lists these alpha males from literature and the actors from the movie adaptations as examples: Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) from Pretty Woman; Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) from Casablanca; Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) from Pride and Prejudice; James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (Sam Heughan) from Outlander; Jack Trainer (Harrison Ford) from Working Girl; and John Thornton (Richard Armitage) from North and South.
On the other end of the spectrum, the beta hero is the nice guy next door, the quiet younger brother, the reliable friend. He’s dependable, thoughtful, and kind. Easygoing, but definitely not a pushover. He’s quick to comfort and feels deeply. A fun blog post by Barnes and Noble defines them as sweet and subtle, in a post on 50 Irresistible Beta Heroes in Romance.
Searching for beta hero examples was far harder than it had been for alphas. One example I found was Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games. I’d love if you would share some more beta examples from film or literature.
Now these are just basic definitions. Both alphas and betas possess far more qualities than are listed here, but I really am curious if you feel there are “pure” alpha or beta characters based on the traits listed? I feel heroes today are a far more complex mix of both. Which leads to the question, do you think literary heroes have changed over time?
Do they still need to be handsome, strong and swoonworthy?
While I tend more toward the “alpha” hero, I think the best hero is a combination of the two. I love heroes who are strong but can also be tender. Gentlemen, and while protective, they are also filled with respect for the heroine and admiration for the strength she possesses too. I love complex characters who have depth and flaws, but most of all, I love heroes who are men of God. They certainly aren’t perfect. They struggle and may fall, but they always look to God for strength, help and guidance. Noah from The Deadly Shallows loves God, his family and his CGIS team. While a strong leader, he also has a tender heart making him one of my favorite heroes I’ve written. If you’ve read my books, I’d love to know who your favorite hero is.
Reader Question: How about you? What qualities are key to you in a hero?
Blessings,
Dani
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I definitely like a hero to be strong but tender and all the other good things you said about being a mix. I lost my husband to cancer in August of 2021 and I miss him so much. We were married almost 45 years. I miss that strong shoulder and him just being there for me.
Hi Brenda,
I’m so incredibly sorry about your husband. I lost my mom to cancer nearly a decade ago and I still miss her like crazy, but I can’t imagine the sorrow of losing a spouse–especially being married almost 45 years. Thanks so much for sharing. Just said a prayer for you.
I’m definitely in the “alpha” camp. I just finished “Range” from Ronie Kendig and she writes “alphas” like no one else. Also, Susan May Warren’s Rembrandt Stone is another excellent example. Yes, these alphas will kick-in the door, guns a blazing to rescue you, but once you’re theirs they are loving, caring and protective.
Hi Amy,
I can’t wait to read “Range.” It looks awesome, and Ronie is definitely a master at writing alpha heroes. Love your description of alphas once you’re theirs 🙂
Although I don’t define my heroes one way or the other when I’m writing them, I believe I write more beta heroes than alpha heroes. I love the example of Peeta as beta since I just finished binging all four of the Hunger Games movies a week or so ago.
To your question of do they have to be handsome, my answer is, “They must be handsome to the heroine.” Whatever draws her to him makes him handsome in her eyes. It doesn’t have to be that they are physically gorgeous.
Hi Robin,
Thanks so much for sharing. I love what you said that “They must be handsome to the heroine.” That is so true.
Hope you enjoyed The Hunger Games. What fun timing.
I really liked Parker from the Chesapeake Valor series (Still Life), I would consider him more a beta than an alpha.
Hi Naomi,
So glad you liked Parker. He’s one of my favs and you know…I hadn’t thought of him as beta, but I can see that 🙂 How fun! Thanks for sharing.
My favorite male character is probably Jake Westin from Silenced, but Parker from Still Life would be a close second (although I have really been interested in Logan and Emmy’s story so Logan may soon be a new favorite). I think Parker and Jake had a good balance between alpha and beta. Both loved strong, independent women but were not overbearing and did not try to make Kayden or Avery more dependent on them. They let them be themselves and it made for a good relationship. As to whether they have to be handsome, strong, and swoon-worthy? I would say they have to be attractive to their female counterpart and have a strong character (and even better if like you said they have a tender heart). Personality being alpha or beta – I think that is in the author’s hands to make them likable or not depending on how they want to tell the story and what the story needs them to be.
Hi Sarah,
Thrilled you liked Jake and Parker 🙂 I wholeheartedly agree about not trying to make Kayden or Avery more dependent on them–that they let them be themselves. That’s such a great point.
Thanks so much for sharing!
This really gave me something to ponder! Would Emma’s Mr. Knightley be considered a beta male?
Hi Candi,
Great question. In my opinion…I’d say he’d be considered a beta male, but curious what other people think.
The first example of what I think I understand a beta male to be would be Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables series. He came to mind immediately after reading your definition & was definitely someone Anne didn’t see herself with at first but grew to appreciate romantically. I’m not married, though I hope to be someday, and I think I will probably be more drawn to a beta male. Though I agree it’s probably best to have a bit of mixture.
And yes, I think Mr Knightley would be overall more of a beta male. Makes sense that he’s my favorite Jane Austen hero. 😀
Aww. Great example of a beta hero and I love how she grew to appreciate him romantically. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Yep. Gotta love Mr. Knightley. Now I’m ready to watch Emma 🙂
This was so good and so informative! I love hero’s who have a little bit of alpha AND beta.
And I think my favorite hero you’ve written would be Landon. He’s very tender, especially towards Piper and the McKenna family. But he’s also protective and brave.
Hi Naomi 🙂
So glad you dropped by. I’m so glad you love Landon. It’s really a tie between Noah and Landon for me. Although, Landon and Piper are definitely my favorite couple. I love your definition of him.