Epic Hero Characteristics

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What makes a HERO?

Quick-Write & Discuss Make a list of individuals you consider to

be heroes. These can be specific names of people you do/don’t know personally, people within a profession, etc.

Now, look back at your list. What characteristics do these people share?

YOUR Definition Go forth and find a quotation, song lyrics,

or an image that helps you express/specify your personal definition of “What makes a hero?”

Example: “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeve

What is an EPIC HERO?

EPIC = Long, narrative poem centering on a hero and his/her quest

The GREEKS’ Definition How did the

Greeks, including Homer, define and characterize heroes in their epics?

Photo courtesy of Abir Anwar http://www.flickr.com/photos/abir82/3962355685/lightbox/

Characteristics of an Epic Hero

1. The hero of an epic is a human being with characteristics a society admires and often wishes to emulate.

2. He fights for a noble cause: those who cannot defend

themselves (women and children)

the preservation of a society honor and the noble way of

3. An epic hero is superhuman. He is braver, stronger, smarter, and cleverer than an ordinary person.

Photo courtesy of Victoria_Rata, http://www.arteyfotografia.com.ar/18759/fotos/426560/

4.The epic hero often has a mix of divine and mortal blood—and therefore possesses human weakness. Photo courtesy of Antonio Pollaiolo,

http://www.artelista.com/ypobra.php?o=19358

The JourneyKey question: What

experiences and obstacles are unique to those of a hero?

The Greeks believed all epic heroes go on the same “journey.”

Journey of the Epic Hero1.The epic hero

is charged with a quest for something of great value to him or to his people.

Photo Courtesy of Eddie van W. http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiritual_marketplace/2207966935/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Journey of the Epic Hero2. The hero is

tested over and over to prove his worthiness, usually by the gods, and supernatural obstacles and creatures. Photo courtesy of Johann Heinrich Füssli

http://www.artelista.com/ypobra.php?o=3278

Journey of the Epic Hero3. The hero’s

travels take him to the divine world in order to accomplish his quest.

Photo courtesy of Microsoft Word

4. The hero’s journey must reach a “low” point where he nearly gives up on his quest or appears defeated…

…but then surmounts his obstacles to fight back and complete his quest.

Journey of the Epic Hero

5. The hero finally regains his rightful place in society—as the king, the father, the military leader, etc.

Journey of the Epic Hero

Connect! Think about the

epic hero and the hero’s journey. What modern books, stories, movies, songs, TV shoes have characters and/or plots that fit this description?

Photo courtesy of Andres Rueda http://www.flickr.com/photos/andresrueda/3454490060/sizes/m/in/photostream/

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