The Quest! The epic tale and the journey of the hero

The Traditional Epic A long story in poem form which begins in media res, or in the middle of things with earlier events explained later on (e.g., The Odyssey, The Iliad, Beowulf ) A long story in poem form which begins in media res, or in the middle of things with earlier events explained later on (e.g., The Odyssey, The Iliad, Beowulf ) The story is huge in scope, sometimes vast and worldwide taking the hero far beyond his land The story is huge in scope, sometimes vast and worldwide taking the hero far beyond his land There is a challenge or quest a hero must venture on for the good of his people; he is stronger and braver than any of his kind There is a challenge or quest a hero must venture on for the good of his people; he is stronger and braver than any of his kind

The Traditional Epic cont. His enemies are uglier and more evil than any others he has faced His enemies are uglier and more evil than any others he has faced These enemies are usually supernatural and have special powers and weapons These enemies are usually supernatural and have special powers and weapons The “Gods” or other supernatural beings take active roles in the story The “Gods” or other supernatural beings take active roles in the story

The supernatural world will help the hero The supernatural world will help the hero The hero will fall (die literally or metaphorically) only to be “resurrected” The hero will fall (die literally or metaphorically) only to be “resurrected” The hero will win, gain knowledge, and through his actions and words, he will share his bounty with his people for their greater good The hero will win, gain knowledge, and through his actions and words, he will share his bounty with his people for their greater good The epic poem showcases the cultural mores of the people who composed it The epic poem showcases the cultural mores of the people who composed it The Traditional Epic cont.

A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. —Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces The Epic Hero

Characteristics of the Epic Hero The hero’s birth is notable and somewhat supernatural or beyond the norm The hero’s birth is notable and somewhat supernatural or beyond the norm The hero is great in stature and is larger than life (physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually) The hero is great in stature and is larger than life (physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually) He possess qualities most desired by his society (i.e., wisdom, courage, determination, etc.) He possess qualities most desired by his society (i.e., wisdom, courage, determination, etc.) He is tasked to go on a quest which he sometimes refuses at first but eventually sets forth in He is tasked to go on a quest which he sometimes refuses at first but eventually sets forth in

Characteristics of the Epic Hero cont. He has a mentor or wise man/woman, who helps and encourages along the way He has a mentor or wise man/woman, who helps and encourages along the way He is beset by dangers and is not fully aware of the lesson he needs to learn and impart He is beset by dangers and is not fully aware of the lesson he needs to learn and impart He MUST venture to the underworld (hell) and fight the monsters in their lair He MUST venture to the underworld (hell) and fight the monsters in their lair He will appear to lose and need the help of the supernatural in order to persevere (it could be a battle within himself as well) He will appear to lose and need the help of the supernatural in order to persevere (it could be a battle within himself as well)

Beowulf’s Death

Characteristics of the Epic Hero cont. The epic hero will experience death either literally or metaphorically (he changes from who he was at the beginning of his quest to the end) The epic hero will experience death either literally or metaphorically (he changes from who he was at the beginning of his quest to the end) The Epic Hero will then be resurrected into a new being (metaphorically or literally) The Epic Hero will then be resurrected into a new being (metaphorically or literally) He will enlighten his people with the knowledge he gained from the battles which will serve to benefit all He will enlighten his people with the knowledge he gained from the battles which will serve to benefit all Apotheosis: This literally means the elevation of a person to the rank of a god or the glorification of a person as an ideal. After completing the difficult challenges, the hero is idealized or worshipped in some way. Apotheosis: This literally means the elevation of a person to the rank of a god or the glorification of a person as an ideal. After completing the difficult challenges, the hero is idealized or worshipped in some way.

An Epic Hero Jesus Jesus Christ – was born under special circumstances, was considered larger than life as a child and demonstrated other worldly powers, was reluctant to go on his quest (was away for 17 years), had a supernatural guide (“God”), gained allies, performed great deeds and supernatural acts (healing lepers, raising the dead), defeated an enemy (the demoniac), was forced to venture into the underworld (the wilderness) and fight the monster (Satan), was victorious via his relation to the supernatural and his own powers, he gained strength, fought a larger battle against the society, he had to sacrifice himself, he died both literally and metaphorically and was resurrected with new perspective and better way to live, an people try to emulate his teachings and he is considered on the same level as a god. Jesus Christ – was born under special circumstances, was considered larger than life as a child and demonstrated other worldly powers, was reluctant to go on his quest (was away for 17 years), had a supernatural guide (“God”), gained allies, performed great deeds and supernatural acts (healing lepers, raising the dead), defeated an enemy (the demoniac), was forced to venture into the underworld (the wilderness) and fight the monster (Satan), was victorious via his relation to the supernatural and his own powers, he gained strength, fought a larger battle against the society, he had to sacrifice himself, he died both literally and metaphorically and was resurrected with new perspective and better way to live, an people try to emulate his teachings and he is considered on the same level as a god.