The hero as madman

Episodes of malingering of mental illness are ascribed to five individuals in history before 500 B.C.–Odysseus, David, Solon, Kai Khosrau, and Brutus. The five ancient accounts follow a general pattern. All five heroes were early in their careers, before achieving anything like their ultimate renown, were confronted by life threatening situations, and malingered mental disorder to escape the death threat. Following the incident all five went on to extraordinary careers, in no way deterred by their past aberrant public behavior. The malingering of mental disorder stands as a modal point in their careers presaging brilliant accomplishments and functioning as a self‐renewal, perhaps symbolizing the hero's rebirth.