Character Breakdown: Hiccup Haddock from How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon is an excellent movie, and Hiccup is a great protagonist in it. I love how through the movies and TV series, we've seen him mature from a scared little boy to a wise leader. What makes him so great? That's what we're looking at today. Mild spoilers ahead for both movies and the TV shows.

Personality

• Creative. When he finds Toothless is injured, he makes a whole new tail for him. When his own leg is lost, he makes himself an amazing prosthetic. He's also a good artist. Hiccup loves to create amazing things that serve a purpose.

• Smart. He's also a great leader because he thinks about things, considering his options before rushing in. He's beaten plenty of enemies by being smarter, not stronger.

• Witty. Hiccup is always ready with a great comeback. No matter the peril of the situation, he's willing to say something funny. He also has a touch of sarcasm.

Virtues

• Brave. Hiccup is willing to do just about anything for the people and dragons he loves. He even stands up to his own father and the rest of the tribe to prove a point. He may be small, but he doesn't let that stop him.

• Compassionate. Even thought Toothless could have killed him when they met, Hiccup still did his best to help the wounded creature. That's why he's so awesome. Every dragon he meets, he's willing to give a chance. There's a reason he's the mast dragon trainer.

Flaws

• Too caring. Hiccup is so willing to believe the best in others, and dragons, that he's almost been killed because of it. He won't kill dragons, even if that looks like the only way to get out of the situation.

• Small. This flaw isn't exactly his fault, but he's tiny. That's why he didn't fit in with the other vikings at first. He's gotten taller and stronger, but he's still skimpy compared to his friends.

Skills

• Inventor. Like I said before, Hiccup is excellent at inventing things. Prosthetics, flying suits, and swords to name a few. His cleverness has gotten him out of several scrapes.

• Fighting. In the first movie, he doesn't have many skills in the fighting department. He can barely lift an ax. Over time he learns to fight with fists, swords, and a special shield he invented. He still doesn't make fighting his first option, however.

• Leadership abilities. Stoick has been preparing Hiccup to take over the tribe all his life. Hiccup doesn't want that, but the things he's learned make themselves evident through the way he leads his friends through their adventures. He's strategic, thoughtful, and smart.

What Makes Him Interesting

• His relationship with Toothless. The two of them are the best of friends. By the end of the first movie, they even have a missing body part on the same side. Their relationship is adorable and I love every scene with the two of them.

• His missing leg. At the end of the first movie, he loses his leg from the shin down. Having him wear a prosthetic makes him a unique hero in a kids film. It also adds a level of difficulty to his life, like on ice or when someone takes his leg to keep him from getting away.

• The way he acts. Hiccup is most fascinating to me because he doesn't think or act like the people around him. He may be small in size, but his heart is gigantic. He chooses the path of peace over the path of war, something I think we should see more of in the media. Why can't we have more heroes who try to work through things instead of just lashing out?

Let's talk! What do you like about Hiccup? Do you think we should have more amputee characters? Tell me in the comments.