1. What makes a HERO?

2. Quick-Write & Discuss
Make a list of individuals you consider to be heroes. These can be specific names of people you do/don’t know personally, people within a profession, etc.
Now, look back at your list. What characteristics do these people share?

3. Superman Parents died at an early age Adopted Superhuman abilities
Strength
Fly
X-Ray vision
Super hearing
Virtually indestructible
Secret identity
Uses powers for the good of humanity

4. Batman Parents murdered at an early age Raised by family butler
Uses wealth to acquire superhuman-like abilities
Martial arts
Technology
Bulletproof/Fireproof costume
Secret identity
Uses powers to rid Gotham of evil

5. Spiderman Parents died at an early age Raised by his aunt and uncle
Superhero powers:
Spider sense
Strength
Agility
Speed
Secret identity
Uses powers to rid New York of evil

6. YOUR Definition
Go forth and find a quotation, song lyrics, or an image that helps you express/specify your personal definition of “What makes a hero?”
Example: “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~Christopher Reeve

7. What is an EPIC HERO?
EPIC = Long, narrative poem centering on a hero and his/her quest

8. The GREEKS’ Definition
How did the Greeks, including Homer, define and characterize heroes in their epics?

9. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
The hero of an epic is a human being with characteristics a society admires and often wishes to emulate.

10. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
He fights for a noble cause:
those who cannot defend themselves (women and children)
the preservation of a society
honor and the noble way of life.

11. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
3. An epic hero is superhuman. He is braver, stronger, smarter, and cleverer than an ordinary person.
Photo courtesy of Victoria_Rata,

12. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
4.The epic hero often has a mix of divine and mortal blood—and therefore possesses human weakness.

13. The Journey
Key question: What experiences and obstacles are unique to those of a hero?
The Greeks believed all epic heroes go on the same “journey.”

14. Journey of the Epic Hero
1.The epic hero is charged with a quest for something of great value to him or to his people.
Photo Courtesy of Eddie van W.

15. Journey of the Epic Hero
2. The hero is tested over and over to prove his worthiness, usually by the gods, and supernatural obstacles and creatures.
Photo courtesy of Johann Heinrich Füssli

16. Journey of the Epic Hero
3. The hero’s travels take him to the divine world in order to accomplish his quest.

17. Journey of the Epic Hero
4. The hero’s journey must reach a “low” point where he nearly gives up on his quest or appears defeated…
…but then surmounts his obstacles to fight back and complete his quest.

18. Journey of the Epic Hero
5. The hero finally regains his rightful place in society—as the king, the father, the military leader, etc.
ful

19. Connect!
Think about the epic hero and the hero’s journey. What modern books, stories, movies, songs, TV shoes have characters and/or plots that fit this description?
Photo courtesy of Andres Rueda