1. THE EPIC & THE EPIC HERO

2. Epic Definition
An epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-than-life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

3. Epics often…
Concern eternal human problems such as the conflict between GOOD and EVIL
Written or told on a grand scale and often in ceremonial style

4. Types of Epics:
Folk epic - story that evolves from the people of that civilization and their lives.
These epics were usually told orally
Literary epic - deliberate creation by the artist/writer about a civilization or people.
These epics were written down.

5. Characteristics of an epic:
The setting is vast
Epic Hero - a larger than life hero who embodies the values of a particular society.
Epic Conflict - the hero’s struggle against an obstacle or series of obstacles usually on a larger scale.

6. Characteristics of an epic hero continued:
The hero goes on a quest - a journey to find something. The hero usually goes on this quest to help his community back home.
He also is extremely prideful and arrogant (Hubris) which leads to his eventual downfall.

7. Characteristics of an epic continued:
Divine Intervention - when an epic hero often receives help from a god or some other supernatural force. A god can also work against the hero.
Villains - a malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime.

8. Epic conventions:
Invocation - the summoning of a deity or the supernatural
Occurs at the beginning of an epic
Prayer
An epic always begins in the middle of a story, also referred to as “in medias res.”
Written in formal diction with a serious tone

9. Characteristics of an epic hero:
The hero, generally male, is of noble birth or high position
The hero embodies important ideals/ values of his society such as, morals, religious beliefs, etc.
He is of mixed divine and human birth.

10. The hero takes a journey to foreign lands.
3 phases of the hero journey:
Separation – a break away from local/ social order, the beginning of a quest.
Initiation – a long deep retreat inward with a series of chaotic encounters which provide new insight.
Return – reintegration into society, coming back as as a more evolved person.

11. The general points of the cycle include:
a test (to test worthiness to complete said quest)
a main antagonist, often supernatural
a magical/unreal world, unable to be visited by a normal human, that the hero visits (e.g. the underworld or the world of the gods)
a resurrection
(either from being dead or from a dead-like state of mind, or a hero who was thought to be dead who was rediscovered)

12. Identify a hero or heroine from a film or story and explain how their journey fits the three phases – be sure to give examples.

13. Archetypes
What do Star Wars, Harry Potter, “Gilgamesh” and Homer’s “The Odyssey” all have in common?

14. They All Have Heroes
… that partake in a journey of significant change, that is, the “hero’s journey.”
… that are truly profound for exploring the archetype of the hero in literature and in our own lives.

15. So An Archetype is…..
a basic plot, character, symbol, or idea that recurs in the literature of many cultures across time periods.
For example:
The Hero Quest!

16. Examples of Archetypes:
HEROES: Central figures in stories.
SHADOWS: Villains and enemies, perhaps the enemy within. The dark side of the Force, the repressed possibilities of the hero, his or her potential for evil.
MENTORS: The hero’s guide or guiding principles. Yoda, Merlin, a great coach or teacher.
Example

17. Examples Continued
The Wise Old Man: representing “knowledge, reflection, insight, wisdom, cleverness, and intuition on the one hand, and on the other, moral qualities such as goodwill and readiness to help.”
The Scapegoat: a character that takes the blame for everything bad that happens.

18. Activity
In pairs or by yourself, choose a story, film, video game, or book that embodies at least SIX (6) archetypes listed on the handout.
Be sure to not only list the archetype, but also give an explanation as to how that character, action, or place embodies the archetype (must be in full sentences).