Period 5/6 Hero: Someone who is willing to sacrifice him- or herself for the greater good, and has the ability to inspire others in that effort. A hero does not look for recognition.

Period 8/9 Hero: Someone who puts himself at risk to bring about change for the good, with no expectation of reward.

Tragic hero A tragic hero is a person of noble birth with heroic or potentially heroic qualities. This person is fated by the gods or by some supernatural force to doom and destruction or at least to great suffering. But the hero struggles mightily against this fate and this cosmic conflict wins our admiration. However, because of some personality flaw, the hero fails in this epic struggle against fate.

Epic hero An epic hero is a figure of great historical or legendary significance. He possesses certain qualities: bravery, superhuman strength, success in battle, reverence, and a driving desire to immortalize himself through valorous deeds. An epic hero may seem to be a common person at first. But during the course of an epic quest, his heroic qualities are revealed. An epic hero may, in fact, die in achieving his quest, but his own flaws are not the cause of his undoing.

King Arthur: Tragic hero or epic hero? Read “The Day of Destiny” from Morte d’Arthur,” including the introductory material at the top of p96. Considering this excerpt, and what we know from The Sword and the Circle, would you describe Arthur as a tragic hero, or an epic hero – or no hero at all. Be prepared to defend your position.