be ye a hero?

According to the dictionary, a hero is "a person who is admired for courage or noble qualities".
Interesting, how the literal definition of a hero has nothing to do with out typical idea of what a hero is. Don't heroes wear spandex? Don't they fight crime late at night under a pseudonym?
Following the "modern" definition of a hero, there are no heroes in Henry IV, Part I. The only mention of late night crime is from the people committing the crimes. That is not exactly heroic, if you ask me.
But then, looking at the literal definition of a hero I think Henry IV, Part I has more heroes than one might think.
Hal, for instance, is quite heroic. He's an underdog; a man born into nobility who doesn't quite get credit as a prince. But as the play progresses Hal gives up his old ways, his childish antics, and his immaturity. He steps into the noble position he was born into, but doesn't simply see nobility as a label, or a crown upon his head, but as a personality trait; a way of life. Hal also carries out his promises to "falsify men's hopes" and "redeeming time when men think least I will" (1.2.218, 224).
Oddy enough, Hal's heroism reminds me of Batman's. Bruce Wayne was a rebellious kid. So was Hal. Bruce was angry at the world, and Alfred and Lucius Fox worried for him and his future, until he changed. He became somebody worthy, somebody heroic. Hal was squashed by people's opinions of him, and even the King didn't think he would amount to much, until he changed. He became a Prince, and not just any Prince, but a Prince worthy of becoming a King.
Yes, maybe Batman's heroism involves a cape and black tights, but Bruce Wayne is just a misunderstood young man who has the ability to be great. 
Heroism is more than just being a swashbuckling rogue, or a gentlemen who looks really good in a pair of tights. It's about having a noble character, and defying beliefs, breaking molds, and raising standards.
That's why we call people who jump in front of guns during theater shooting heroes, and people who run into burning buildings to save lives heroes. That's why we call people like Rosa Parks heroes: because they break molds, raise standards and portraying a character of excellence.