Characteristics of an epic hero The hero generally

Characteristics of an epic hero: The hero, generally male, is of noble birth or high position The hero’s character traits reflect important ideals of his society The hero performs courageous deeds that reflect the values of the times His actions determine the fate of many

The Odyssey Key Elements and Hero’s Journey • The plot is complicated by supernatural beings or events. • The actions of the hero often determine the fate of a nation or group of people • The poem reflects values such as courage and honor.

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.

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)

Themes & Look for the struggles of … Conflict • good against evil • strength against weakness • light against dark

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

Mythological Analysis • Archetypes comes from the Greek word archetypos, meaning “first of its kind. ” • They are universal images/concepts/ ideas that come from shared common experiences, which transcend time, place and culture. • The value in using archetypal characters in fiction derives from the fact that we unconsciously already recognize the archetype, and thus the motivations, behind the character's behavior. examples