Essential Question How do classic heroes differ from

Essential Question • How do classic heroes differ from modern heroes?

HEROES AND EPICS Characteristics of the CLASSIC HERO: • unusual and/or NOBLE birth • part god or favored by gods • extraordinary STRENGTH • kills or fights monsters with special weapons • goes on an arduous journey or QUEST • visits the underworld • UNUSUAL death

More Traits: • He makes POOR CHOICES. • Usually his poor choices are due to hamartia or a FATAL FLAW. Odyssey’s flaw is hubris. • Sometimes tragic heroes are UNDONE by their own greatness. The greater the hero the more susceptible he is to MISTAKES.

Epics and Heroes • What is hubris? Hubris is extreme arrogance or self-pride. In Greek tragedies, hubris is the fatal flaw of the main character, often resulting in his downfall. In mythology, humans sometimes demonstrate hubris, angering the gods.

C l a s s Odysseus EPIC POEM: 750 AND 650 B. C. E (STORYTELLER): HOMER

Characteristics of Odysseus/The Odyssey SYMBOLIZES the journey of life and its challenges Stresses the VALUES of: *Using one’s brain to get out of TOUGH SITUATIONS *GUILE (trickery): Odysseus escapes OBSTACLES *Pride (HUBRIS) as bad behavior / TRAGIC FLAW *Rudeness as BAD BEHAVIOR *Making DIFFICULT DECISIONS *Withstanding temptation

Modern Hero: *a COMMON MAN *isn’t thought of as FLAWED *didn’t ASK to be a hero *loves those he serves with *RIGHT PLACE at the right time *makes a SACRIFICE because it is the right thing to do or for honor *good leadership abilities

THE MODERN HERO: SUB-SET SUPERHERO: A. MODELED after classic hero but has modern hero characteristics as well B. MASQUERADES as (or actually is) average but has superhero powers, TRAGIC HISTORY, faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles

HEROES NOW AND THEN • • Symbolize the HUMAN EXPERIENCE Embody the spiritual values of a culture Provide models of VIRTUOUS BEHAVIORS (adventures of heroes, mistakes of fools) ILLUSTRATE striking similarities as well as differences between cultures Preserve elements of CULTURE/HISTORY Encourage pride in culture TEACH moral lesson/correct or incorrect behavior