 What is a demigod?

 An offspring of a god and a mortal

 One who stands out from ordinary individuals as one who embodies the values or ideas of a particular culture

 Coming from a warrior culture possessed strength and courage.  Larger than life figures  Often half-gods  Not immortal  Through superhuman deeds and sufferings here on earth, they often achieved a type of immortality.

 Thus, the qualities of heroes change also.

 This period also honors the Warrior Hero, as with Greek culture  Hero: Beowulf  Traits honored by Ango-Saxons of that time period: › Courage › Loyalty to King and fellow warrior › Ability to perform superhuman deeds.

 Hero: King Arthur or one of his knights embodies the ideals of this age.  Traits: › Courage › Loyalty to God and King › Chivalrous behavior toward women and the helpless

 Hero: Leonardo da Vinci – an example of this “Universal Human”  Traits: › Versatility led him to excel in art, literature, diplomacy, warfare, and everything else.

 Hero: Lord Byron – “Byronic Hero”  Traits: › A moody, mysterious, social outcast, yet one who possesses courage and a fascination for others.

 A Pioneer, like Daniel Boone  Traits: Shows the values of a new country: › Courage › Desire to enter into the Unknown › Willingness to endure hardships › Need to be independent

 3 Reasons : 1. Humanism – speaks of the person as the center of all things, of the entire universe.

2. Nationalism – believes a particular nation or culture is best. 3. Individual or Family Pride – his/her family or him/herself embodies all of the qualities of a hero/heroine.

 Praise, glorify or honor the individual, the nation, and the entire human race.

 Nobility  Courage  The ability to endure  The need to be totally committed  The necessity of acting alone  LOYALTY

 Heroes are… › Typically male › Women provide protection, guidance, and knowledge for the hero; they give him the secrets of life. › often Obscure or mysterious origin. › neither fools nor invincible. › called upon to make a journey or to follow a goal or quest

 Heroes ways are…. › not always direct or clear › beset with dangers, loneliness, and temptation

 Many quests supply friends, servants, or disciples as company for the heroes.  Heroes have guides – fairy godmothers, beautiful/ugly witches or sorceresses, etc.

 Final Test:  Is their descent, either physical or emotional, into some Hell-like place of suffering or death.  The fear, loneliness, or despair experienced by the hero is a death- rebirth which leads to enlightenment, maturity and change.

 What Heroes Seek Goal is tangible  Success or Achievement is somewhat more spiritual  *The growth or maturity of heroes becomes more important than the actual object of the quests.