Robert Emmet

Bernard Malamud once said, “Without heroes we’re all plain people and don’t know how far we can go.” A hero is someone who doesn’t just think about himself but thinks about how his actions will affect others. They don’t have to be celebrities; they can be personal people like your family members. Great heroes have to be brave and inspiring. They have to be extraordinary and be able to help not only themselves and their family but also the people around them. Robert Emmet, an Irish nationalist, inspired his country to defend their freedom.

Robert was born in Sam’s Cross near Clonakility in West Cork in 1778. He found interest in revolutionary politics early in life. Even though he was a Protestant, he wanted Catholics to be able to practice their religion like the Protestants could. He was educated at Trinity College. He joined the Patriotic Society of United Irishman. Robert’s brother, Thomas Emmet, used to be a senior member of the United Irishman but had to run away to France to escape the government’s repression.

Emmet led an attack on Dublin Castle in July 1803. It failed. He was caught, arrested, went on trial, and was executed. Before his execution, he said a famous speech in which he stated, “Let no man write epitaph when my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated, then may my epitaph be written.” Although the rebellion failed, Emmet was still a hero in Irish history and today is considered a martyr for Irish freedom.

For someone to become a hero they must possess these qualities of a hero. They should have courage to be able to dedicate their lives to heroic deeds. They have to be able to accomplish great deeds. They need to have courage to risk their lives to save someone else. They should be able to dedicate their lives to help other people. Lastly, heroes need to be able to accomplish what they set out to do. These are the qualities someone needs to possess to become a hero. Robert Emmet possessed all of these qualities.

In conclusion, heroes must be brave to stand up for the heroic acts they need to do to make the world a better place. Robert Emmet was an Irish nationalist from Ireland. Emmet was both brave and inspiring who wanted his country to become a better place.