The Epic Hero Characteristics of the Epic The Hero’s Journey Mrs.Durham rules!!!!!!! Not!!!!!!! The Epic … It’s Big

Define an epic:  A long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a hero. Told by a narrator. Setting:  setting is huge, and may involve a good deal of travel

The main character: Capable of being a hero The action includes: Extraordinary deeds.

The purpose: To entertain and to inspire with examples of how individuals overcome great odds. Who else is involved? Gods and supernatural beings are involved in the action.

How does an epic usually start or open? It opens with the poet making an invocation, or prayer, for inspiration from the muse of epic poetry. CALLIOPE Muse of Eloquence and heroic Poetry. Her name means fine voice, and she is depicted with stylus and tablets. She was the chief of the muses.

The beginning of the tale: Told “in media res” (“in the middle of things”) The narrative includes: Speeches by main characters – including gods and antagonists of the epic hero – which reveal their personalities.

What is the mood of the epic? Serious, language is elevated (formal). What else? The use of figurative language (like personification and similes) makes the narrative vivid and exciting.

The Epic Hero Label the characteristics on Harry the Hero.

Epic Hero: Harry the Hero (Label ALL characteristics on your notes, even though your hero looks different.) Crafty Faces his enemies Questions his own capabilities Has a mentor/guide Emotional Innate sense of justice (right and wrong) Flawed: Has a weakness in character or personality Journey Outside mainstream world or culture

The Epic Hero Arete – The striving for excellence both physically and mentally. Strength and intelligence – who could ask for more? Hubris – excessive pride or arrogance; a sin to the gods.

Elements of the Hero’s Journey

The Hero’s Journey

The Separation The Quest The Return The Hero’s Journey Add notes to your page as you read through each step. The Call to Adventure The Meeting of Mentors The Challenges The Transformation The Return Home

The Separation The Call to Adventure Everything is about to change… A traumatic event occurs that leads to the hero wanting or needing to leave home. When the a hero is called to leave home, he or she may refuse to leave at first, only to be convinced, tricked, or forced into leaving later. In other cases, the hero leaves willingly or begins the journey on accident.

The Separation The Meeting of Mentors Helpers/Supernatural Aid for the hero as he experiences the adventures and setbacks of his quest. Crossing the Threshold At some point, the hero leaves the familiar, safe world of home and enters fully into the new world of the journey.

The Quest The Challenges The hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey. Each successful test further proves the hero's ability and advances the journey toward its climax

The Quest The Transformation A part of the hero must “die” so that a new part can be reborn - Fear must die to make way for courage, Ignorance for enlightenment, dependency for independence. Part of the Transformation is a Revelation, a sudden, dramatic change in the way the hero thinks or views life.  This change makes him truly a different person. After the Transformation the hero achieves Atonement, meaning that is he is at one with his new self – He is “reborn.”

The Return After the final task is successfully accomplished, the hero returns home, a leader of his people... the hero!

Timeline (Fill in as we read.) The Trojan War Covered in The Iliad Odysseus tries to get home *Covered in The Odyssey Start here