What is a myth?

G Myth is a legendary or a traditional story G Usually concerns an event, or a hero G With or without using factual or real explanations G Myth is a legendary or a traditional story G Usually concerns an event, or a hero G With or without using factual or real explanations

What is a myth? G Usually features gods, goddesses, demigods or deities G Describes some rites, practices and natural phenomenon G Typically involves historical events and supernatural beings. G Usually features gods, goddesses, demigods or deities G Describes some rites, practices and natural phenomenon G Typically involves historical events and supernatural beings.

What is a myth? G Mostly very old G Ruled the world when science, philosophy and technology were not very precise, as they are today. G Mostly very old G Ruled the world when science, philosophy and technology were not very precise, as they are today.

Examples?

Brainstorm… G What makes a hero? What are four qualities a hero must possess?

Epic and Epic Heroes

What is an Epic? G A long story in a poem form. G An epic poem has a hero. G The epic poem is the story of the hero’s travels and his fights with monsters. G A long story in a poem form. G An epic poem has a hero. G The epic poem is the story of the hero’s travels and his fights with monsters.

Epic Continued… G Epics were originally sung, often to a harp. G Epics contain information about the culture that created them: religion, dress, homes, weapons and war, roles of men and women, values and moral standards. G Epics contain clues to what the people who created them feared or did not understand: natural disasters, death, heavens, storms etc. G Epics were originally sung, often to a harp. G Epics contain information about the culture that created them: religion, dress, homes, weapons and war, roles of men and women, values and moral standards. G Epics contain clues to what the people who created them feared or did not understand: natural disasters, death, heavens, storms etc.

Traits of an Epic Hero G Has “larger than life” qualities, possibly supernatural powers.

Traits of an epic hero G Is a natural leader G of men. G Is a natural leader G of men.

Traits of an epic hero G Is appealing to the opposite sex but rarely has an extended relationship.

Traits of an epic hero G Defeats monsters (bad guys) and/or fights gods

Traits of an epic hero G Has “good” on his or G her side. G Has “good” on his or G her side.

Traits of an epic hero G Often stands alone in battle. G Beowulf fights big battles alone. G Often stands alone in battle. G Beowulf fights big battles alone.

Traits of An Epic Hero G Is smarter than everyone else, generally a problem solver. G Odysseus tricks the Trojan’s by hiding inside a “gift horse” and surprising them. G Is smarter than everyone else, generally a problem solver. G Odysseus tricks the Trojan’s by hiding inside a “gift horse” and surprising them.

Traits of an epic hero G Has a weakness that often destroys him or her or leads to death. G Achilles was shot and killed in his vulnerable heel that was not dipped in the river Styx. G Has a weakness that often destroys him or her or leads to death. G Achilles was shot and killed in his vulnerable heel that was not dipped in the river Styx.

Traits of an epic hero G Makes long journeys, always on the move, travels to find adventure. G Indiana Jones travels the globe in search of artifacts and adventure. G Makes long journeys, always on the move, travels to find adventure. G Indiana Jones travels the globe in search of artifacts and adventure.

Traits of an epic hero G A Skilled Fighter

The Hero's Journey