What Is A Hero

1
What Is A Hero?

• The Epic Hero
• Vs.
• The Modern Hero

2
What does our culture say makes one a hero?
What does our culture say makes one a hero?
Holding Out for a Hero Where have all the good
men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the
great white Hercules to fight the rising
odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery
steed? Late at night I toss and I turn and I
dream of what i need. I need a hero I'm holding
out for a hero till the end of the night he's
gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and gotta
be fresh from the fight I need a hero I'm holding
out for a hero till the morning light He's gotta
be sure and he's gotta be soon And he's gotta be
larger than life
3
What does our culture say makes one a hero?
What does our culture say makes one a hero?
Holding Out for a Hero Where have all the good
men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the
great white Hercules to fight the rising
odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery
steed? Late at night I toss and I turn and I
dream of what i need. I need a hero I'm holding
out for a hero till the end of the night he's
gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and gotta
be fresh from the fight I need a hero I'm holding
out for a hero till the morning light He's gotta
be sure and he's gotta be soon And he's gotta be
larger than life
....but does it translate to an epic hero?
4
What does our culture say makes one a hero?
What does our culture say makes one a hero?
Holding Out for a Hero Where have all the good
men gone and where are all the gods? Where's the
great white Hercules to fight the rising
odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery
steed? Late at night I toss and I turn and I
dream of what i need. I need a hero I'm holding
out for a hero till the end of the night he's
gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast and gotta
be fresh from the fight I need a hero I'm holding
out for a hero till the morning light He's gotta
be sure and he's gotta be soon And he's gotta be
larger than life
....but does it translate to an epic hero?
5
The Epic Hero.

• Epic heroes are larger-than-life men who are
  capable of great deeds of strength and courage.
• An epic hero possesses the qualities of valor,
  military prowess, loyalty, generosity, and honor.
  
• All epic heroes are great warriors and national
  heroes.

6
The Epic Hero.

• Although the hero is constantly aware of his own
  mortality, he never shirks "from threat or peril
  .... It is a hero's duty to preserve his life by
  valour."

7
The Epic Hero.

• The epic hero often displays the following
  personality traits
• Excels in skill, strength, and courage
• Succeeds in war and adventure
• Values honor glory
• Usually has a guide
• Battles demons or monsters
• Is generous to followers but ruthless to enemies
• Is a man of action

8
The Epic Hero.

• The epic hero often displays the following
  personality traits
• Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems
• Sometimes makes rash decisions and takes
  unnecessary risks
• Meets monsters and temptations
• Encounters women who tempt him
• Descends into darkness (often the underworld)
• Achieves his goal

9
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
A Man Flawed.
HUBRIS
10
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
A Man Flawed.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
HUBRIS
11
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
A Man Flawed.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
belief that he is above the fates, or in control
of destiny
HUBRIS
12
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
A Man Flawed.
exaggerated pride or self-confidence often
resulting in retribution.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
belief that he is above the fates, or in control
of destiny
HUBRIS
13
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
A Man Flawed.
exaggerated pride or self-confidence often
resulting in retribution.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
belief that he is above the fates, or in control
of destiny
HUBRIS
common theme in Greek tragedies and mythology,
whose stories often featured protagonists
suffering from hubris and then being punished by
the gods for it.
14
The Epic Hero.
Does a hero need help?

• The mentor aids or trains the hero.
• Represents the wiser and more godlike qualities
  within us.
• Equips the hero by giving him a gift or gifts
  which are important in his quest. These gifts may
  be weapons, medicine or food, magic, or some
  important clue or piece of information.
• Occasionally may be the hero's conscience,
  returning him to the right path after he strays
  or strengthening him when he weakens.

15
Why is Odysseus a Hero?

• Epic heroes are larger-than-life men who are
  capable of great deeds of strength and courage.
• I am Laertes son, Odysseus. Men hold me
  formidable in peace and war.
• An epic hero possesses the qualities of valor,
  military prowess, loyalty, generosity, and honor.
  
• Sing in me Muse, and through me tell the story
  of that man skilled in all ways of contending.
• All epic heroes are great warriors and national
  heroes.
• O Father, all my life your fame as a fighting
  man has echoed in my ears- your skill with
  weapons and the tricks of war-

16
Why is Odysseus a Hero?

• Although the hero is constantly aware of his own
  mortality, he never shirks "from threat or peril
  .... It is a hero's duty to preserve his life by
  valour."
• Odysseus often knows in advance the great
  challenges and dangers that lay ahead for himself
  and his crew.
• Sometimes he tells his crew about them, and
  sometimes he doesnt.
• He always continues and follows through,
  regardless of the possible peril.

17
Why is Odysseus a Hero?

• Excels in skill, strength, and courage
• Odysseus is famous for all of these
• Succeeds in war and adventure
• Odysseus is known as the hero of the Trojan War
  (Trojan Horse)
• Values honor glory
• Promises a fallen soldier a proper burial with
  all the honor he deserves
• Usually has a guide
• Athenas his mentor he also gets help from
  other gods, goddesses, and mortals
• Battles demons or monsters
• Battles Polyphemus, Scylla, Charybdis
• Is generous to followers but ruthless to enemies
• Risks his life to free his men from Circe, but
  kills EVERY suitor, even those that werent that
  bad and who asked his forgiveness
• Is a man of action
• He always has a plan he does not wait for others
  to tell him what to do

18
Why is Odysseus a Hero?

• Accepts challenges and sometimes invites problems
• He rises to the challenge of keeping his
  identity hidden and escaping the Cyclops's cave,
  but then invites danger by taunting Polyphemus
  and revealing his identity
• Sometimes makes rash decisions and takes
  unnecessary risks
• Odysseus elects to listen to the sirens song
  even though Circe says he probably shouldnt
• His men beg him to leave the cave before the
  creature who lives there returns, but he is
  curious. They stay and he loses several of his
  best men.
• Meets monsters and temptations
• Meets Scylla, Charybdis, the creatures of the
  underworld, and Polyphemus
• Encounters women who tempt him
• Becomes the lover of both Circe and Calypso
  (though faithful in his heart)
• Descends into darkness (often the underworld)
• Visits Hades in search of the blind prophet
  Teirisias
• Achieves his goal
• Returns home to Ithaca and exacts his revenge
  upon the traitors

19
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
A Man Flawed.
exaggerated pride or self-confidence often
resulting in retribution.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
belief that he is above the fates, or in control
of destiny
violently kills all suitors, even those who asked
to be forgiven
HUBRIS
common theme in Greek tragedies and mythology,
whose stories often featured protagonists
suffering from hubris and then being punished by
the gods for it.
20
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
Tries to fight Scylla though hes told its
pointless
A Man Flawed.
exaggerated pride or self-confidence often
resulting in retribution.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
belief that he is above the fates, or in control
of destiny
violently kills all suitors, even those who asked
to be forgiven
HUBRIS
common theme in Greek tragedies and mythology,
whose stories often featured protagonists
suffering from hubris and then being punished by
the gods for it.
21
Why is Odysseus a Hero?
Tells the Cyclops his real name Poseidon curses
him
Tries to fight Scylla though hes told its
pointless
A Man Flawed.
exaggerated pride or self-confidence often
resulting in retribution.
Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride,
wanton violence."
belief that he is above the fates, or in control
of destiny
violently kills all suitors, even those who asked
to be forgiven
HUBRIS
common theme in Greek tragedies and mythology,
whose stories often featured protagonists
suffering from hubris and then being punished by
the gods for it.
22
The Epic Hero.
Does a hero need help?

• The mentor aids or trains the hero.
• Odysseus receives help from Athena, Hermes,
  Circe, Zeus, Aeolus, and others
• Represents the wiser and more godlike qualities
  within us.
• Often he is told what he should do and what he
  should avoid
• Equips the hero by giving him a gift or gifts
  which are important in his quest. These gifts may
  be weapons, medicine or food, magic, or some
  important clue or piece of information.
• He is given the bag of winds, the magic herbs, a
  ride home, a disguise, information about his
  future travels, and several other helpful things
• Occasionally may be the hero's conscience,
  returning him to the right path after he strays
  or strengthening him when he weakens.
• Zeus frees him from Calypso, his men force him to
  leave Circe, and his men often warn him against
  prideful behavior

23
The Modern Hero

• The popularity of the heroic tradition seen in
  Greek and other ancient cultures has continued
  unbroken to the present day.
• Legends immortalize cultural heroes, fairy tales
  echo heroic themes, folk tales show average men,
  women, and children acting heroically, and even
  fables sometimes show animals taking the role of
  the hero.
• Modern stories, TV programs, and movies often
  follow the heroic tradition

24
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her

25
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Is believable and realistic

26
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Is believable and realistic
• Is imperfect

27
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Is believable and realistic
• Is imperfect
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues

28
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war

29
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war

30
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war

31
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war

32
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
  (computer system, homerun in WS.)
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance
  Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric)
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human (sports
  heroes get arrested, politicians get impeached)
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war
  (enough said.)

33
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
  (computer system, homerun in WS.)
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance
  Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric)
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human (sports
  heroes get arrested, politicians get impeached)
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war
  (enough said.)

34
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
  (computer system, homerun in WS.)
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance
  Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric)
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human (sports
  heroes get arrested, politicians get impeached)
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war
  (enough said.)

35
The Modern Hero

• You can relate to him OR her
• Accomplishes something you have thought of before
  (computer system, homerun in WS.)
• Is believable and realistic
• Could be anyonenot superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance
  Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric)
• Is imperfect
• Doesnt live on a pedestalvery human (sports
  heroes get arrested, politicians get impeached)
• May excel in any area, not just war or national
  issues
• Computers, religion, sports, media, politics, war
  (enough said.)

36
(No Transcript)