The Epic Hero

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The Epic Hero
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Epic

• An extended narrative poem that recounts actions,
  travels, adventures, etc.
• Main character is a larger-than-life hero
• Hero faces difficult battles and reveals his/her
  strength
• The Gods fate play a role in the heros
  experience

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Epic Hero

• The journey for the mythical hero is a rite of
  passage that transforms a person from one level
  to a more mature level of understanding.
• This journey, or odyssey, occurs not just
  physically (traveling from place to place), but
  emotionally-(hero has a spiritual awakening)

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The Hero Cycle

• All mythic heroes follow a path of stages
• Stages
• 1. Separation-Departure
• 2. Entrance-passage
• 3. Breakthrough Experience
• 4. The Heros Return
• During each stage, the hero learns an important
  lesson

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Separation-Departure

• Hero is removed from his everyday world
• This happens by a call to adventure (hero may
  be reluctant, or have no choice, but is willing
  to go)
• This separation took them away from their known
  world

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Entrance-Passage

• Hero undergoes some ordeal to survive in world
  of adventure
• Hero goes from the familiar to the unknown
• Hero must go through trials and tests (often
  violent encounters with enemies or forces of
  nature)
• Heros ability advances as a result

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Breakthrough Experience

• Final adventure or critical moment in the journey
• This battle transforms the hero

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The Heros Return

• The hero must cross the threshold, returning to
  the world he once knew
• The hero returns with a new awakening, rebirth,
  or resurrection.
• The hero has learned a great lesson and shares
  this knew knowledge with society.

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HW Map out a fictional heros journeyHero______
_____________

• 1. Separation/Departure
• 2. Entrance/Passage
• 3. Breakthrough Experience
• 4. Heros Return

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Epic Rules

• Epic starts with a statement of the theme
• Invocation to a muse (inspiration)
• Starts in medias res (in the middle of action)
• Makes allusions to historical names, mythic
  gods, battles/wars, places, etc.

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Epic Rules

• Includes epic similes (extended comparisons)
• Long formal speeches by main characters
• Use of patronymics (calling son by fathers name)
• Journey to the underworld

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Homer- Author of Odyssey

• Not that Homer! ?
• Was a blind man from Greece living around 700 BC
• Greatest poet of ancient times
• Recited his works orally

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Odyssey Part 1

• Greek General Odysseus is trying to return home
  to Ithaca after Trojan War
• Has been gone for 10 years
• Homer starts with Invocation to the Muse
• Muse goddesses who inspire storytellers

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Odyssey Background

• Iliad/Trojan War Background
• Part 1 http//www.youtube.com/watch?vdBMEYIOIF8
  k
• Part 2 http//www.youtube.com/watch?vfkIQT_mWWak
  
• Part 3 http//www.youtube.com/watch?vn5eKLRGUvDc

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• Siren Song
• Definition Something that is very appealing and
  makes you want to go somewhere or do something
  but that may have bad results. (Ex- the appeal of
  fame and fortune)
• Directions Pretend you are a siren and your
  mission is to write a persuasive
  appeal/advertisement enticing someone/ group of
  people. (You can convince them to do something,
  to go somewhere, buy a product, etc.) Lure the
  reader in with your irresistible words and your
  siren song.
•  

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• Literary Goal You must include and underline the
  following elements in your writing
• Imagery
• Epic simile
• Metaphor
• Alliteration
• Hyperbole (exaggeration)