What makes a HERO?

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

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. http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiritual_marketplace/2207966935/sizes/z/in/photostream/

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

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.

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 http://www.flickr.com/photos/andresrueda/3454490060/sizes/m/in/photostream/