Characteristics of a Hero Sacrifice: forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of something or someone else considered to have a great value or claim Determination: is a fixed intention or resolution; a firmness of purpose or resolve Courage: that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear Dedication: a selfless devotion; complete and whole hearted fidelty or the act of binding oneself to a course of action

Characteristics of a Hero Valor: is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats Selfless: the quality of impartial and unselfish concern for the welfare of others; acting with less concern for yourself Loyalty: the feeling of allegiance or the act of binding oneself to a course of action Intrepidity: firm, unshaken courage

Characteristics of a Hero Focused: the ability to direct one’s energy toward a particular point or purpose; concentration Conviction: a fixed or strong belief; a necessity of the mind or an unspeakable principle Gallantry: is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful speed Perseverance: a persistent determination

Characteristics of the Hero Fortitude: often been styled “passive courage,” and consists in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit Bravery: daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring act

Characteristics of the Classical Hero Royal birth or half mortal half God Must perform extraordinary feats Noble character which is close to perfectly ideal, but for a fatal flaw Suffering of the character is physical Death must occur in an unusual way Hero fights with his own honor, his deeds belong to the community only after his death

Characteristics of the Epic (1194) An Epic is a long narrative poem Epic Hero Epic Plot Epic Setting Archetypes Epic Themes

Characteristics of an Epic Hero Epic Hero: a larger than life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning. Possesses superhuman strength, craftiness, and confidence Helped and harmed by interfering gods Embodies ideals and values that a culture considers admirable Emerges victorious from perilous situations

Homer’s The Odyssey and The Iliad The authorship of The Odyssey (and The Iliad) is not known for sure; the epic poems were passed down through an oral tradition and Homer, a figure whose existence cannot be proven, is only the name the ancient Greeks themselves attached to the poems. Whether he was the primary author of the poems, the primary recorder of the oral tradition of the poems, or a figment of someone's imagination, may never be known. However, the two works ascribed to him are of supreme importance in European classical tradition.

Epic Plot Involves a long journey full of complications such as Strange creatures Large scale events Divine intervention Treacherous weather

Epic Setting Includes fantastic or exotic lands Involves more than one nation

Archetypes All epics include archetypes---characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures: Sea monster Wicked temptress Buried treasure Suitor’s contest Epic hero Loyal servant

Epic Themes Reflect such universal concerns such as Courage A homecoming Loyalty The fate of a nation Beauty Life and death

Epic Simile Simile- a comparison of two unlike things using like or as. Homer develops a simile at great lengths so that it goes on for several lines which is an EPIC SIMILE

Epithet A brief descriptive phrase used to characterize a particular person or things. Example: Odysseus is knows by various epithets such as “son of laertes” and “raider of cities”

Allusion A reference to a famous person, place or event. For example, when Odysseus’ son first sees the palace of Menelaus, he says “this is the way the court of Zeus must be”. This allusions is referring to the ruler of the Greek gods

Vocabulary in Context (1203) Abominably Adversary Appalled Ardor Assuage Beguiling foreboding Harried Meditation Ponderous Profusion Travail