Yeah, that's what I'm feeling too. It sounds anti-heroic having someone literally possessed by a spirit, while re-incarnation sounds like the person doesn't really get a choice to be 'heroic' but is literally 'programmed' by the residue of all of his previous incarnations' actions.
I'd rather each Link be his own person, rather then be a derivative of himself each time. It sounds more heroic too when he chooses to be a hero, rather then have it forcibly placed on him by 'fate.'
Yes! Agreed! I like your idea! I think the only two Links that usually reincarnate are usually the Hero of Time and the Hero of Legend! Like for example, the Hero of Legend from TP could be a reincarnation of the Hero of Legend from SS. And the Hero of Time from OoT could be a reincarnation of a certain Hero of Time from the past (not SS Link). While most other Links (like MC Link, FSA Link, TLoZ/TAoL Link, and etc) are usually descendants or ancestors of those two main focus heroes. And other heroes like the Hero of Winds from WW are spiritual legacies or spiritual successors to past Links.
So in a way, even WW kinda proves that the whole Spirit of the Hero was not meant to be taken literally, since it is confirmed that WW Link has no blood relation to the Hero of Time or even a literal spirit relation to him either. He's his own person and hero. That said, if the Spirit of the Hero belief was taken in the literal sense, then there would never be a Hero of Winds to stop Ganon in the Adult Timeline.
That's why I believe that "bearing the Spirit of the Hero" just simply means to have the same or similar form of courage, elements, will power, and any other traits as the first hero (Hylia's Hero).