The Epic Its Big The Epic Hero Characteristics
The Epic … It’s Big üThe Epic Hero üCharacteristics of the Epic üThe Hero’s Journey üMrs. Durham rules!!!!!!! Not!!!!!!!
Define an epic: v. A long narrative poem that traces the adventures of a hero. Told by a narrator. Setting: v setting is huge, and may involve a good deal of travel
The main character: l Capable of being a hero The action includes: l Extraordinary deeds.
Who else is involved? l Gods and supernatural beings are involved in the action. The purpose: l To entertain and to inspire with examples of how individuals overcome great odds.
How does an epic usually start or open? It opens with the poet making an invocation, or prayer, for inspiration from the muse of epic poetry. CALLIOPE Muse of Eloquence and heroic Poetry. Her name means fine voice, and she is depicted with stylus and tablets. She was the chief of the muses.
The beginning of the tale: l Told “in media res” (“in the middle of things”) The narrative includes: l Speeches by main characters – including gods and antagonists of the epic hero – which reveal their personalities.
What is the mood of the epic? l Serious, language is elevated (formal). What else? l The use of figurative language (like personification and similes) makes the narrative vivid and exciting.
The Epic Hero l. Label the characteristics on Harry the Hero.
Epic Hero: Harry the Hero (Label ALL characteristics on your notes, even though your hero looks different. ) Crafty Faces his enemies Questions his own capabilities Innate sense of justice (right and wrong) Journey Has a mentor/guide Emotional Outside mainstream world or culture Flawed: Has a weakness in character or personality
The Epic Hero Arete – The striving for excellence both physically and mentally. Strength and intelligence – who could ask for more? Hubris – excessive pride or arrogance; a sin to the gods.
Elements of the Hero’s Journey
n tio Th e The Call to Adventure ra The Return Home pa Se Re t e ur n Th Add notes to your page as you read through each step. The Hero’s Journey The Transformation The Meeting of Mentors The Challenges The Quest
The Separation l. The Call to Adventure • Everything is about to change… A traumatic event occurs that leads to the hero wanting or needing to leave home. • When the a hero is called to leave home, he or she may refuse to leave at first, only to be convinced, tricked, or forced into leaving later. In other cases, the hero leaves willingly or begins the journey on accident. http: //www. readwritethink. org/files/resources/interactives/herosjourney/
The Separation l. The Meeting of Mentors • Helpers/Supernatural Aid for the hero as he experiences the adventures and setbacks of his quest. l. Crossing the Threshold • At some point, the hero leaves the familiar, safe world of home and enters fully into the new world of the journey.
The Quest l. The Challenges • The hero faces trials and enemies while struggling on an epic journey. • Each successful test further proves the hero's ability and advances the journey toward its climax
The Quest l. The Transformation l A part of the hero must “die” so that a new part can be reborn - Fear must die to make way for courage, Ignorance for enlightenment, dependency for independence. l Part of the Transformation is a Revelation, a sudden, dramatic change in the way the hero thinks or views life. ¡ This change makes him truly a different person. l After the Transformation the hero achieves Atonement, meaning that is he is at one with his new self – He is “reborn. ” http: //www. pschulze. com/Forms%20 of%20 Fiction/The%20 Heros%20 Journey. pps
The Return • After the final task is successfully accomplished, the hero returns home, a leader of his people. . . the hero!
The Hero’s Journey The Separation The Return Home The Transformation The Quest The Call to Adventure The Meeting of Mentors The Challenges
Timeline (Fill in as we read. ) Start here The Trojan War Covered in The Iliad Odysseus tries to get home *Covered in The Odyssey
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