2. The Epic Hero  Superhuman strength  Helped and harmed by interfering gods  Embodies ideals and values that a culture considers admirable  Emerges victorious from perilous situations

3. Epic Plot  Involves a long journey, full of complications such as… Strange creatures Divine intervention Large-scale events Treacherous weather Central character is naïve Meets monsters or monstrous men

4. Epic Plot continued… Has a strange wise being as a teacher (mentor) Yearns for a beautiful lady or treasure (can be guide/inspiration) Must go on a journey, learn a lesson, change in some way, and return home Can cross a body of water/travels on a bridge Born and raised in rural setting

5. Epic Journey Goes through a “rite of passage” or “initiation” (changes/matures as story goes on) Suffers an unhealable wound (not always physical; sometimes emotional/spiritual)

6. Epic Journey continued… Goes to a dark, terrible place; sometimes descends into the underworld where he learns an important lesson. This is a symbol for facing death. Wins what he fights for/ is united or re-united with what he cares for

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

8. Epic Themes  Theme- reflects universal concern such as… Courage The fate of a nation A homecoming Beauty Loyalty Life and death

9. Archetypes  All epics include archetypes- characters, situations, and images that are recognizable in many times and cultures.

10. Examples of archetypes Water: the mystery of creation; birth/death, resurrection/purification; fertility and growth (rain=grace, growth, restoration of life) Fire: creativity; passion; purification Light: intellect; grace Wind: soul; spirit; inspiration Fog: uncertainty; confusion Ice; snow: rigidity, death, lack of feeling

11. Universal Patterns Cycles in Human Life  -birth, youth, maturity, aging, death, spiritual  rebirth  -love, loss, loving again  -trying, failure, trying again, success  -order, disruption, order restored

12. Colors in archetypes Black (darkness): chaos; death; the unconscious; evil; melancholy Red: blood sacrifice; violent passion; disorder Green: growth; sensation; hope Yellow: corruption White: purity and innocence