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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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