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Heroes, Journeys, Myths, and Epics

Heroes, Journeys, Myths, and Epics. An Introduction. Characteristics of an epic…. A physically impressive hero of national or historical importance A vast setting involving much of the physical world, and sometimes the land of the dead

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Heroes, Journeys, Myths, and Epics

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  1. Heroes, Journeys, Myths, and Epics An Introduction

  2. Characteristics of an epic… • A physically impressive hero of national or historical importance • A vast setting involving much of the physical world, and sometimes the land of the dead • Action such as a mission or quest taken in search of something of value

  3. Continued… • Evidence of supernatural forces at work • Glorification of the hero at the end • Rooted in a specific culture or society

  4. What is a myth? Myths are stories about supernatural beings. In early times, they were handed down orally from one generation to another.

  5. Myths attempt to explain… • NATURE and its processes: • Where did earth come from? • What about the heavens? (Sun, moon, stars, etc.) • The seasons? (Climate, rain, etc.) • Geography? (Oceans, mountains, forests, etc.)

  6. Continued… • MAN and historical events: • Where did man come from? • His life? (Birth growth, reproduction, death) • His victories? (Glory in battle) • His defeats? (Misfortunes) • His end? (Rewards and punishments) • Reality of the human condition

  7. Continued… • GODS: • Where did the gods come from? • How many are there? • What do they have power over? • What are their roles? • What are their powers and weaknesses?

  8. What is an archetype? It is an original model after which other similar things are patterned – these are found in every culture all over the world.

  9. The Quest The Task The Initiation The Journey The Fall Death and Rebirth Situational Archetypes:

  10. The Quest Search for someone or an object which,when found, will restore peace or balance to a society

  11. The Task Part of the quest that serves as a test – hero will usually have to perform some super-human deed

  12. The Initiation Usually an initiation into adulthood or some role the hero must take on

  13. The Journey SPIRITUAL journey hero must go through in search of truth – it is a spiritual or psychological awakening

  14. The Fall Descent from a higher to a lower state of being – usually involves loss of innocence, banishment, or death

  15. Death and Rebirth Shows cycle of nature and life

  16. Character Archetypes

  17. Unusual circumstances of birth Leaves family or land Event leads to quest Has special weapon only he can wield Gets “supernatural” help Must pass test Usually has a journey and an unhealable wound Experiences atonement with parent(s) Glorified at the end of the quest THE HERO: Many traits!

  18. The Initiates The Mentor The Hunting Group of Companions The Friendly Beast The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart The Devil Figure The Transgressor The Destroyer The Trickster The Scapegoat The Outcast The Creature of Nightmares Major Character Archetypes:

  19. The Earth Mother The Innocent The Temptress The Platonic Ideal The Amazon Warrior The Damsel in Distress The Threshold Guardian The Shadow The Star-Crossed Lovers Other Character Archetypes:

  20. Symbolic Archetypes

  21. Light vs. Darkness Water vs. Desert Heaven vs. Hell Fire vs. Ice Nature vs. Mechanistic World Good vs. Evil Father vs. Son Unhealable Wound Ritual Supernatural Intervention Magic Weapon Symbolic Archetypes:

  22. Color Archetypes Yes, writers of literature and film choose colors for a reason!

  23. White • Positive associations: • Light, innocence, purity, virginity • Negative: • Death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/stormtroopers/

  24. Black • Positive associations: • Knowledge, intelligence • Negative: • Evil, sadness, chaos, mystery, death http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/

  25. Yellow • Represents hope, happiness • Associated with the sun

  26. Red • Positive associations: • Love, artistry • Negative: • Blood, sacrifice, disorder

  27. Blue • Positive color associated with serenity, truth, spiritual purity, peace

  28. Green • Positive associations: • Life, rebirth, growth, hope, fertility • Negative: • Death, decay

  29. Orange • Positive color made from red and yellow; symbolizes hope and passion http://www.starwars.com/community/news/2002/03/news20020308b.html

  30. Brown • Earth tones positively represent nature http://www.starwars.com/databank/species/ewok/eu.html

  31. Purple • Associated with power and royalty

  32. Numeric Symbolism Yes, these can mean something, too!

  33. One: complete unity Two: symbolizes duality (night/day, sun/moon, etc.) Three: associated with Holy Trinity, light, unity Four: associated with the circle, life cycle, seasons, elements, earth, nature Seven: signifies the union of 3 and 4, which signifies perfect order Significant Numbers:

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