I love her conviction!!!!!! I love this about her!!! "And I'll be shooting for my own hand" Is so clever, poignant, and brave!! <3 I love her!

Agreed with comments above.

I think that courage and bravery are somewhat overrated. I don't value these traits unless they are combinated with righteousness, caringness, dutifulness and selflessness. Some people might be fearful and don't enjoy risks but their sense of duty towards others is so strong that help them to fight their fears. I respect such people hundred times than I respect Merida. Merida is Gryffindor but not that kind of Gryffindor I like, James Potter-like Gryffindor. I prefer Hermione-like Gryffindors, righteous and virtuous protectors.
I also dislike that tomboyishness is associated with courage.

^good points, especially on the tomboy thing. I've noticed that too. Cinderella and Aurora aren't usually considered brave for not wielding a sword or talking back to her family and it kills me. Rapunzel and Jasmine are also girly but it's them fighting that make people call them brave, rather than their inner strengths.

But yeah, I think Merida is actually more fearless than brave (one reason I take issue with the movie title). Atticus Finch and Mufasa had it right. And fearlessness can be a double edged sword. Being without fear meant she was ok with a war coming or going to a witch. Her truly bravest moment is admitting she did something terribly hurtful to Elinor and trying to save her.

She definitely does what she puts her mind to.

Definitely one of her best qualities.

i totally love her conviction! This is why I love her so much. She knows who she is and what she wants and no one will make her do what she doesnt want to. I love her confidence in herself as well.
She totally took onto herself to see how she can correct the spell. She could have gone running and crying to her father. She could've given up. But she ventures into the forest and is determined to make it right.

She's courageous for standing up for herself and shoot for her own hand when her own parents didn't. She's courageous for straightening up the mess she created with her stupidity. She's courageous for standing up in front of her father for her mother "I will not let you kill my mother". She's courageous for accepting marriage against her choice for her mother and the kingdom.
She's not courageous for swinging swords and shooting arrows.

I don't say Merida isn't courageous. I just don't respect people who don't combine courage with selflessness and caringness.

@AudreyFreak, thank you for sweet words and reminding me of Mufasa's quote( it's one of my favorites).

@adelital: I understand your viewpoint totally. I was just saying she isn't just courageous only for her tomboyish attitude. I agree that courage without sense of duty and righteousness can be dangerous at times. But I also think she's courageous - first without (in early part of the movie) and then with sense of duty (accepting marriage).

not just courage in the sense of being fearless - but also in having the guts to swallow her pride and face up to her mistakes (which frankly even a lot of adults never get the hang of)