CULTURAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THE HERO: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ENGLISH AND UZBEK FOLK NARRATIVES

The concept of the hero occupies a central place in the folklore of every nation, reflecting its historical experience, cultural identity, ethical values, and worldview. English and Uzbek folk narratives, despite emerging from distinct geographical, historical, and linguistic contexts, reveal both universal and culture-specific representations of heroism. This article comparatively examines the portrayal of heroes in selected English and Uzbek folk narratives, identifying similarities and differences in their characteristics, motivations, social functions, and symbolic meanings. The study employs comparative literary analysis, cultural interpretation, and folklore studies to investigate how heroic figures embody national ideals while simultaneously reflecting universal human aspirations such as justice, courage, loyalty, and self-sacrifice. The findings indicate that English folk heroes often emphasize individual initiative, moral independence, and resistance against oppression, whereas Uzbek folk heroes highlight collective responsibility, family honor, hospitality, patriotism, and spiritual wisdom. Despite these differences, both traditions utilize heroic narratives as educational tools for transmitting moral values across generations.