Mythologically, I'd go with Orpheus, who performs heroic feats, particularly during his time on the Argo with Jason, But unlike most Greek heroes, he is as much interesting in bringing joy to the world through music as he is in fighting. In that sense, he's a rarity among Greek heroes.
He's also willing to risk everything for love. He descends into the Underworld to bring his wife, Eurydice, back from death. That's about the biggest risk any mortal can take. It doesn't pay off in the long run because of his impatience, but it was one of the bravest things any Greek hero ever did.
Honorable Mentions: late-stage Merlin, conceived of as a potential antichrist. His mother quickly baptizes him to save him from that fate , but he's left with a lot of daddy issues and a dark side that he must fight every day to overcome.
Bradamante (from Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso") a woman warrior who has to contend with a society that mistrusts her, despite her long record of victories. She bows to her parents' demand that she marry but specifies that she will consent to marry only a man who can defeat her in battle. She waits for Ruggiero, whom she loves, to arrive and then loses to him on purpose. (In other words, she is as smart as she is strong and brave.)
Mythologically, I'd go with Orpheus, who performs heroic feats, particularly during his time on the Argo with Jason, But unlike most Greek heroes, he is as much interesting in bringing joy to the world through music as he is in fighting. In that sense, he's a rarity among Greek heroes.
He's also willing to risk everything for love. He descends into the Underworld to bring his wife, Eurydice, back from death. That's about the biggest risk any mortal can take. It doesn't pay off in the long run because of his impatience, but it was one of the bravest things any Greek hero ever did.
Honorable Mentions: late-stage Merlin, conceived of as a potential antichrist. His mother quickly baptizes him to save him from that fate , but he's left with a lot of daddy issues and a dark side that he must fight every day to overcome.
Bradamante (from Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso") a woman warrior who has to contend with a society that mistrusts her, despite her long record of victories. She bows to her parents' demand that she marry but specifies that she will consent to marry only a man who can defeat her in battle. She waits for Ruggiero, whom she loves, to arrive and then loses to him on purpose. (In other words, she is as smart as she is strong and brave.)
My ancestors are Scandinavian, so I support the Norse deities.