Heroes who sometimes lack self-esteem or confidence. This can range from thinking they're monsters to believing they don't have what it takes to accomplish their goals. They are very similar to tragic and self-hating heroes but the defining characteristic of an insecure hero is that they are lying in many ways both to themselves and others i.e. they have a nasty habit of saying things that they don't actually believe, especially about themselves, although they themselves aren't even aware of this.
Alternatively, an insecure hero is a good guy who acts in a dangerous way due to severe pain suffered by some tragic reason. Sometimes, they are victims of bullying or severe abuse by someone who is cruel or evil.
Usually, these heroes just need a friend or loved one, other times they need acceptance - yet it is also common for an insecure hero to simply be too far gone and absorbed in his or her own troubles to accept (or want) help, as is the case with Shrek, Queen Elsa and (briefly)Elize Lutus. Unlike their villainous counterparts, however, for heroes, insecurity nearly always serves as a trait to overcome through character development.
Ironically, many insecure heroes can also qualify as an Arrogant Hero or Egomaniac. These hero suffer from what is called a "Superiority Complex", where they faux arrogance, egomania and narcissism to hide their flaws from others and, more often than not, themselves. A perfect example of this is Inuyasha.
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