Journal Prompts

1. Journal Prompts

2. Who is your HERO? • Everyone has a hero. He or she may be a family member, a coach, a political figure, an author, or a famous athlete. • Think of a person whom you consider a hero—someone who inspires you to be great. Describe how this person has come to be your hero. Make sure it is clear why you admire this person so much.

3. How does our society define a hero? • Create a list of at least five people, or groups of people, our society might say are heroic. For example: Firefighters • Then, in a separate list, write the several qualities each hero, or heroic group has in common. These are things that we as a society value. For Example: They have jobs that require them to save lives. Therefore, our society values people who save lives, and thinks of them as heroes.

4. In your group… • First, discuss and list what you believe are the top four traits of a hero and write them on the arrows between each circle. • Then, select two characters from stories, plays, novels, television, or a movie that you’ve watched recently, and in each circle explain how they do or don’t possess that heroic trait. Harry Potter Mrs. Juzwik 1) Brave Harry is brave when he stands up to the ones who shall not be named. Harry lies, but only to the bad guys. Umm…yeah, not really, but he’s fast and athletic. He’s not as smart as Hermione, but he’s not as dumb as Ron… Yeah, no. She’s afraid of spiders for Pete's sake. Always, almost to a fault… Mentally yes. Physically no. I would sure hope so, but there’s still so much she wants to learn. 2)Honest 3) Strong 4)Intelligent

5. What makes a hero? • Think about the qualities of a hero. Literature, film and television are full of characters that are called heroes, but do they match your criteria? • The qualities that you chose to represent a hero show more about our society and what we as a culture value, than they do about you in particular. • Why do you think that is the case? Can you explain where our ideas about heroes and our values come from? • An archetype is the original model which all other’s imitate, or copy. Every character that follows an archetypal model is based off of the traits and characteristics of the same thing. For example: Batman, Hamlet, Luke Skywalker, Simba and Frodo are all based off of, or copies of an earlier heroic archetype (model).

6. The ancient Greeks had values that were a little different from yours and mine… For example, they valued: KLEOS-______________________________ XENIA-______________________________ PAIDEIA-____________________________ ETHOS-_____________________________ AIDOS-______________________________ SOPHRONSYNE-______________________

7. 9 Characteristics of an epic hero • The hero is introduced in the midst of turmoil, at a point well into the story; antecedent action will be recounted in flashbacks. • Preceding in time or order; previous or preexisting. 2. The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker who can address councils of chieftains or elders with eloquence and confidence. 3. The hero, often a demi-god, possesses distinctive weapons of great size and power, often heirlooms or presents from the gods. • Mythological being with more power than a mortal, but less than a god

8. 4. The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, often involving a descent into the Underworld which tests his endurance, courage, and cunning. 5. Although his fellows may be great warriors, he undertakes a task that no one else dare attempt. 6. Whatever virtues his society most prizes, the epic hero possesses in abundance. His key quality is often emphasized by his stock epithet: "Resourceful Odysseus," "swift-footed Achilles,“ etc • Nickname

9. 7. The hero establisheskleosthrough slaying a challenging hero, like himself or adversaries of superhuman power: monsters, titans, etc. • Immortal fame; glory 8. The two great epic adversaries, the hero and his antagonist, meet at the climax, which must be delayed as long as possible to sustain maximum interest. • Opponent in a competition, dispute, contest; enemies 9. The hero may encounter a numinous phenomenon (a place or person having a divine or supernatural force) such as a haunted wood or enchanting sorceress that he must use strength, cunning, and divine assistance to overcome.

10. It really is the situation which creates the opportunity for heroism — but that decision, that choice to act, often does not at first look like what it becomes at the end. Being a hero is linked to being brave — and that choice to speak, to stand out, can come in many guises.Indeed while we all know the Hero’s Journey as a literary trope, it is probably the best way to think of all heroes: people who take one step, then another, then another, until they face the moment of decision for which they are famous. But that big moment would never happen without the small ones. • Basically, heroes are people who make a single choice to take the path of courage, and then accept the consequences — which often involve a next decision, and a next, and a next. • Each brave step makes the next possible, so you don’t have to be magnificent, and you don’t need to compare yourself to the grandest hero, just have the courage to take the first step.