1. Epic Hero Notes

2. Journal Entry: Hero characteristics
What makes someone in our society a hero? What characteristics do they possess?
Generate a list with at least 10 original characteristics.
Read Mythology and You Hero Background on pages and list the characteristics of mythological characters.
In your journal compare and contrast your lists.
Be prepared to share your responses with the class.

3. Journal Entry: Hero characteristics
What makes someone in our society a hero? What characteristics do they possess?
Generate a list with at least 10 original characteristics.

4. Six Elements of the Heroic Pattern
Birth
Destiny
Quest
Journey Home
Reward
Romantic Elements

5. Birth Enshrouded in the mystery and intrigue of the royal court
Divine and/or royal parentage
Birth cause of a dynastic struggle for power and hero’s life placed in danger
Ruse required to suppress identity and save his life
Childhood of the hero is rarely mentioned
Child spirited away or brought up in seclusion

6. Destiny These men were fated to be great.
Lives were entwined with the interests of the gods (oracles and prophecy also involved).

7. The Quest
To prove his status as hero and claim the throne, he goes on a quest.
Purpose of the quest: save people from plague or tyrant, in some cases material gain is earned
Quest task set by the usurper
To Greeks a quest meant a challenge to be sought out and a goal to be achieved
Hero encounters other difficulties on his way to the object of the quest
Reveals his physical prowess
His mental capabilities
Makes story more exciting and suspenseful
A monstrous creature must be overcome

8. The Journey Home Long, arduous journey home for each hero
Purpose: to the Greeks—homeland was a very important part of their life
Identified by his lineage in a particular area
By his ties to one city state
Greece still a tribal society
Worst punishment—exile from home

9. The Reward Hero often becomes king Gained fame and glory
Height of power is short-lived
Old age of hero was either obscure or lacking glory; old age of hero an embarrassment

10. Romantic Elements
All Greek heroes had encounters with women and are lovers of heroic proportions
Also reflect the Greeks attitudes towards females; no women heroes

11. On a deeper level: Society is changing from matriarchal to patriarchal
Hero represents aggressive patriarchal society
Violent death represents the imperfect world
Monsters (often women) represent the matriarchy and are often defeated