Intro to the Epic : The Hero’s Journey

1. Intro to the Epic: The Hero’s Journey Epics must have an Epic Hero. How do we identify that Hero? Archetype- • An original that has been imitated. • Recurrent symbol or motif.

2. Archetypes of Heroes • Greek Heroes, coming from a warrior culture, possessed strength and courage. • Although larger than life, in the sense that they were often half-gods, they were not immortal. • But through their superhumandeeds and sufferings here on earth they achieved a type of immortality.

3. Archetypes of Heroes • Medieval Period Heroes (13th century) – King Arthur or one of his knights embodies the idealsof this age: • courage, • loyalty to God and king, • chivalrous behavior toward women and the helpless.

4. Archetypes of Heroes • Renaissance Period Heroes (15th century) – A courtier whose versatility led him to excel in art, literature, diplomacy, warfare, and everything else, is hero of the period. • Leonardo da Vinci is an example of this “universal human.”

5. Archetypes of Heroes • Romantic Period Heroes (18th century) – Lord Byron himself is the paradigm for the Byronic hero, a • moody, • mysterious, • social outcast, • yet one who possesses courage and a fascination for others.

6. Archetypes of Heroes • American Literature Heroes – The early American hero, a pioneer like Daniel Boone perhaps, shows the values of a new country: • courage, • desire to enter into the unknown, • willingness to endure hardships, • need to be independent.

7. Archetypes of Heroes YOUR TURN: • Write down three people you look up to or consider “heroes.” • Compare them to the preexisting standards for Hero listed above. • Think: What recent historical events or cultural changes have shaped your personal and our societal definition of a hero?