Elements of an Epic & the Epic Hero The Odyssey by Homer

Epic Hero Epic Hero Epic Plot Epic Plot Epic Setting Epic Setting Archetypes Archetypes Epic Themes Epic Themes Epics have Five Elements

Has superhuman strength, intelligence and confidence Has superhuman strength, intelligence and confidence Is helped or harmed by interfering gods Is helped or harmed by interfering gods Embodies ideals or values a culture thinks is admirable Embodies ideals or values a culture thinks is admirable Emerges victorious from dangerous situations Emerges victorious from dangerous situations Epic Hero

Involves a long journey, full of complications, such as: Involves a long journey, full of complications, such as: Strange Creatures Strange Creatures Divine Intervention Divine Intervention Large-Scale Events Large-Scale Events Treacherous Weather Treacherous Weather Epic Plot

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

Characters, situations, and images that are widely recognized Characters, situations, and images that are widely recognized Sea monsters Sea monsters Wicked temptresses Wicked temptresses Buried treasure Buried treasure Suitors’ contest Suitors’ contest Epic hero Epic hero Loyal servant Loyal servant Archetypes

Courage Courage The fate of a nation The fate of a nation A homecoming A homecoming Beauty Beauty Loyalty Loyalty Life and death Life and death Epic Themes

Jake Sully emerges from many dangerous situations Jake Sully emerges from many dangerous situations All the creatures on Pandora are strange All the creatures on Pandora are strange Pandora is a fantastic setting, and includes the Humans and Na’vi Pandora is a fantastic setting, and includes the Humans and Na’vi Unobtainium is the buried treasure Unobtainium is the buried treasure Fate of a nation, courage, loyalty Fate of a nation, courage, loyalty Avatar

The basic steps a hero takes in their journey The basic steps a hero takes in their journey Hero Cycle

The point in a person’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not. The point in a person’s life when they are first given notice that everything is going to change, whether they know it or not. Call to Adventure

Once the hero has committed to the quest, their guide and magical helper appears, or becomes known. Once the hero has committed to the quest, their guide and magical helper appears, or becomes known. Helper

The point when the person first goes into the field of adventure The point when the person first goes into the field of adventure They leave their known world and venture into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known. They leave their known world and venture into an unknown and dangerous realm where the rules and limits are not known. Crossing the Adventure Threshold

The hero must undergo a series of tests, trials, tasks, or ordeals in order to begin a transformation. The hero must undergo a series of tests, trials, tasks, or ordeals in order to begin a transformation. Often the person fails one or more of these tests. Often the person fails one or more of these tests. Tests

The hero is often accompanied on the journey by a helper who assists in the series of tests and generally serves as a loyal companion. The hero is often accompanied on the journey by a helper who assists in the series of tests and generally serves as a loyal companion. Alternately, the hero may encounter a supernatural helper in the world of adventure who fulfills this function. Alternately, the hero may encounter a supernatural helper in the world of adventure who fulfills this function. Helpers

Here the fortunes of the hero hit bottom in a direct confrontation with his greatest fear. Here the fortunes of the hero hit bottom in a direct confrontation with his greatest fear. He faces the possibility of death and is brought to the brink in a battle with a hostile force. He faces the possibility of death and is brought to the brink in a battle with a hostile force. The audience does not know if the hero will live or die. The audience does not know if the hero will live or die. The Supreme Ordeal

After accomplishing the mission, the hero must return to the threshold of adventure and prepare for a return to the everyday world. After accomplishing the mission, the hero must return to the threshold of adventure and prepare for a return to the everyday world. If the hero has angered the opposing forces by stealing the elixir or killing a powerful monster, the return may take the form of a hasty flight. If the hero has angered the opposing forces by stealing the elixir or killing a powerful monster, the return may take the form of a hasty flight. If the hero has been given the elixir freely, the flight may be a benign stage of the journey. If the hero has been given the elixir freely, the flight may be a benign stage of the journey. Flight

The hero again crosses the threshold of adventure and returns to the everyday world of daylight. The hero again crosses the threshold of adventure and returns to the everyday world of daylight. The return usually takes the form of an awakening, rebirth, resurrection, or a simple emergence from a cave or forest. The return usually takes the form of an awakening, rebirth, resurrection, or a simple emergence from a cave or forest. Sometimes the hero is pulled out of the adventure world by a force from the daylight world. Sometimes the hero is pulled out of the adventure world by a force from the daylight world. Return

The benefit, favor, or blessing that is bestowed on the hero figure. The benefit, favor, or blessing that is bestowed on the hero figure. The hero wants to share the boon with humankind. The hero wants to share the boon with humankind. Boon