Thomas Carlyle's essay On Heroes and Hero-Worship provides an educated look at our societies need for heroes. The points he made were clear and conveyed a sense of knowledge on the subject. Carlyle uses Voltaire as one of his examples of someone who is seen as a hero in the eyes of some. This idea that our heroes are what drive us to be better is very intriguing. Although most people don't like to admit they idealize a person to great extent it is something everyone does. We as a human race must believe in something we are always striving to find the best so that we might mirror ourselves after them. Carlyle shows us that even the most cynical people have those they idealize. The French may be some of the most cynical people in the world, but they still find the work of Voltaire insightful and inspiring. I personally do not think that our heroes shape us. It is the culture that shapes the person. Whatever that person accomplishes in their lifetime is a reflection of their environment. Our culture may find it necessary to uplift those who we deem worthy, but what makes us feel that they are better than us is something that seems to be missing from the equation.