Tracing the hero concept through the ages Somebody Save Me Tracing the hero concept through the ages

Archetype The original or idea form: For example: Achilles and Odysseus are archetypal epic heroes Romeo and Juliet are archetypal star-crossed lovers The search for the fountain of youth is an archetypal plot . . . As is the great flood

Classical Hero: Of noble (royal) and/or unusual birth (often part god or superhuman) Performs great feats (mostly physical) no one else could accomplish He also suffers physically May suffer a defeat And/or a trip to the underworld Noble in character – exemplifying values and ideals of a culture, but he Has a tragic or fatal flaw Fights for his own honor (may seem immoral or selfish to modern audiences) Experiences an unusual death Ex. Achilles, Gilgamesh, Beowulf

Medieval Hero Hero can be of common birth Ultimate loyalty to his lord or king Wages war based on his lord’s principles (not necessarily personal honor, vengeance, etc.) Followed strict rules of dress and conduct Morality based on chastity and a formal code of chivalry, which included: Defend and obey the church No mercy to infidels Love of country Defend weakness Generosity Honesty Feudal duty

Romantic Hero Transcends class and birth; may even question these aspects of society Internal conflicts and struggle for individuality Defines own moral code and rules Self-knowledge and self-reliance are more important than physical strength and attributes Often moody, troubled, isolated and/or introspective

Modern Hero The modern hero seeks to survive and create meaning in a battle against a meaningless and indifferent universe. Code of behavior rather than a code of ethics – stubborn and rarely surprised Subject to temptation and indulgence – may be just as debauched as a villain Internal: may struggle with drugs, liquor, sex, gambling, etc. External: struggles against established order, government, etc. May only have a small circle of friends Feats and struggles aren’t necessarily physical

Antihero While we're used to the protagonist and hero being one and the same, the antihero embodies traits we would normally associate with an antagonist or villain The antihero acts unheroically, without morality, yet we may still like and identify with him The antihero is often an outcast, alienated or somehow exiled

Works cited “Antihero.” Wikipedia.com. Wikimedia Foundation. 16 September 2014. Web. 17 September 2014 Beers & Odell, eds. Holt Elements of Literature. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 2006. Print. Norman, Vera. “Four Conceptions of the Heroic.” fellowshipofreason.com. Feb. 2003. Web. 17 September 2014