The document discusses the characteristics of an epic hero based on how they were defined and portrayed in ancient Greek epics. It states that an epic hero is a human who fights for a noble cause and possesses superhuman qualities that society admires. The hero goes on a journey where they are tested by gods and supernatural forces to prove their worthiness and complete a quest, which often involves traveling to the divine world. If the hero survives the low point of nearly giving up, they regain their rightful place in society upon completing their quest.

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. 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

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

5. The GREEKS’ Definition
 How did the
Greeks,
including Homer,
define and
characterize
heroes in their
epics?
Photo courtesy of Abir Anwar http://www.flickr.com/photos/abir82/3962355685/lightbox/

6. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
1. The hero of an
epic is a human
being with
characteristics
a society
admires and
often wishes to
emulate.
© Copyright David Dixon
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2956596

7. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
2. 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.

8. 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, http://www.arteyfotografia.com.ar/18759/fotos/426560/

9. Characteristics of an Epic Hero
4.The epic hero
often has a mix
of divine and
mortal blood—
and therefore
possesses
human
weakness. Photo courtesy of Antonio Pollaiolo,
http://www.artelista.com/ypobra.php?o=19358

10. 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.”

11. 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.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiritual_marketpla
ce/2207966935/sizes/z/in/photostream/

12. 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
http://www.artelista.com/ypobra.php?o=3278

13. Journey of the Epic Hero
3. The hero’s
travels take him
to the divine
world in order
to accomplish
his quest.
Photo courtesy of Microsoft Word

14. 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.

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

16. 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
http://www.flickr.com/photos/andresrueda/3454490060/sizes/m/in/ph
otostream/