COMPARING A MEDIEVAL ROMANCE AND HERO WITH AN EPIC AND EPIC HERO ESL7 MRS. NABULSI PLEASE PRINT OUT A COPY OF THIS PP AS HANDOUT FOR ESL7 STUDENTS. BRAINSTORM AND THEN GO TO INSPIRATION/FILE/TEMPLATE/CRITICAL THINKING/VENN

Characteristics of a Medieval Romance 1 Code of Chivalry The hero-knight lives and abides by this code of honor, loyalty to his lord and word, courage, respect, bravery, selflessness, gentlemanly behavior An idealized Noble Hero-knight A Hero-knight is idealized for his noble, chivalrous behaviors and his daring deeds Women held in high regard Women are idealized and held in high regard by hero- knight; put on a pedestal, respected, and often have some power of men Mystery and Supernatural Elements There are supernatural beings and creatures (i.e. witches and wizards), and mysterious elements in the plot; some characters identities are covered up/hidden

Characteristics of MR (cont.) Imaginative, vast, fairytale-like setting Setting of tales is highly imaginative, and seems fairytale like (not real); and there is a vastness to them (hero-knight has to journey far away from home) Repetition of 3's and 7's There is a motif or pattern of characters and events occurring in 3's or 7's...these were magical, mythical numbers connected to ideas of fate and faith Simple, predictable plot The plot line is very obvious in these tales...you can predict where the story is heading and there are inevitable events; it's not complicated Quest for love and/or adventure Hero-knight sets out on a quest (journey) for love and/or adventure in order to fulfill or claim his hero status. Along the way he faces obstacles and performs daring deeds.

Characteristics of the Hero-Knight 1. Birth of a great hero is shrouded in mystery  2. He is reared away from his true home in ignorance of his real parents.  3. For a time his true identity is unknown  4. After meeting an extraordinary challenge, he claims his right  5. His triumph benefits his nation or group.

Characteristics of an Epic Link to flashcards and game 6. the epic poet recounts the deeds of his hero with objectivity 7. poets open by invoking a muse to inspire and instruct him 8. poets open by stating his theme 9. poet opens in medias res 10. poet includes a journey to the underworld for his hero 11. poet includes catalogues of warriors, ships, armies: he gives extended formal speeches; and he makes frequent use of the epic simile. Often the hero will boast of past or future accomplishment 12. use of epithet 1. the hero is a figure of heroic stature, of national importance, or international prominence, and of great historical or legendary significance 2. the setting is vast in scope, covering great nations, the world, or the universe 3. the action consists of deeds of great valor or requiring great courage 4. supernatural forces interest themselves in the action and intervene from time to time 5. poem is written in a style of sustained elevation and grandeur

Epic Hero 6. many quest tales supply friends, servants, or disciples as company for the hero 7. the hero has a guide or guides 8. the hero descends into darkness and is not the same after emerging form the darkness 9. what the hero seeks is usually no more than a symbol of what he really finds 10. with few exceptions, mythological heroes are male 1. hero is often of obscure or mysterious origin 2. heroes are neither fools nor invincible 3. heroes are called upon to make a difficult journey 4. the hero's way is not always direct or clear to him 5. the hero's way is beset with dangers, loneliness, and temptation 

ACTIVITY LABEL EACH SIDE OF THE VENN DIAGRAM AND PUT YOUR NAME ON EACH DIAGRAM WORK AS A GROUP TO AGREE OR DISAGREE AS TO WHAT IS SIMILAR FIRST. PUT THOSE CHARACTERISTICS IN THE CENTER WORK AS A GROUP TO AGREE OR DISAGREE WHAT IS DIFFERENT. PUT WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT EACH UNDER THEIR LEFT OR RIGHT-HAND SECTION OF THE DIAGRAM. WHEN BOTH DIAGRAMS ARE COMPLETED, GO TO INSPIRATION /DIAGRAM/FILE/TEMPLATE/CRITICAL THINKING/VENN DIAGRAM

COMPARE/CONTAST THE MR WITH THE EPIC

COMPARE/CONTAST THE MR HERO WITH THE EPIC HERO