Hero vs. Story

A short note on yesterday's post and Lord Gwydion's comment (and my response:

• Knights of the Round Table: big heroes with small flaws in a redeemable world
• Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser: small heroes with big flaws in a more corrupt world
• Conan: big hero with moderate flaws in a corrupt world
• Middle Earth: small heroes with small flaws redeeming a corrupt world

Just for comparison: In Clark Ashton Smith's stories, it's usually small villains with big flaws in a just world, or occasionally big villains with small virtues. In Lovecraft, it's small heroes or villains with small flaws in an uncaring world.