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What is a hero?. You will be working with a partner for today’s assignments! Read “The Life and Times of Hercules,” a well-known account of a hero and heroic action, and annotate. With your partner, draft a list of characteristics and qualities of a hero that were presented in the story.
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What is a hero? • You will be working with a partner for today’s assignments! • Read “The Life and Times of Hercules,” a well-known account of a hero and heroic action, and annotate. • With your partner, draft a list of characteristics and qualities of a hero that were presented in the story. • Now consider your list and create a list of heroes in other areas such as history, religion, pop culture, folktales, art, politics, literature and modern times. • Try to have at least 3-4 heroes in EVERY category
With your partner, answer the following questions and write a working definition of HERO. • What constitutes a hero? • What qualities do certain heroes have that make them exceptional? • When have we seen a situation give rise to an unconventional hero or heroine? • Do all heroes have something in common about their appearance? • What are some of the lessons that heroes can teach us? • What differences exist among cultures with regard to their concept of heroes? • How can we compose an interesting way to present our definition visually to the class? Create a visual representation/mini-poster to present with your definition.
Homer’s Epics • Considered statements of cultural identity • Heroes embody the values of Greek culture. • Bravery, loyalty, intelligence, honor to the gods, heroism, glory, determination, etc.
More on Homer • Homer is said to be the first teller of adventures of all times. He was not the first author because in his day stories were passed down---they were told. He was a blind man whose date of birth is unknown.
Form • In Medias Res • In the middle of things • The epics begin in the middle of the story but flashback to past events. • General outline and characters of stories were already known to audience. • The Trojan War • Invocation (invoking Muses) • Muses are goddesses of poetry, art, music, and dance. • Invoking the Muse was a poet’s way of asking for inspiration and ideas. • The Odyssey, The Iliad, and Paradise Lost (Britain).
Stock Epithets • Phrases used to rename characters based on traits • Achilles of the swift feet • Hector breaker of horses • Singer emperor of knowledge
Background of the Iliad Fun Review (song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiQ4j-D5o4o
Trojan War • Eris – goddess of discord (disagreement) • Upset about not being invited to the wedding of Thetis and Peleus. • Made a Golden Apple labeled “for the fairest one.” • Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite • Argue over apple • Choose Paris, prince of Troy to make decision. • Each goddess offered a bribe. • Athena – wisdom; Hera – be a powerful king; and Aphrodite – the most beautiful woman
Trojan War • Aphrodite • Offers Paris the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. • Helen is already married to Menelaos, a Greek king. • Paris • Kidnaps Helen, the “face that launched a thousand ships.”
Trojan War • Menelaos – Husband to Helen • Seeks help from Agamemnon, king of Mycenae. • War lasts ten years • The Iliad focuses on the last two months of the war.
Achilles • Son of Thetis (sea goddess) and Peleus, a mortal. • Dipped into the Styx all except for his heel. (Achilles Heel) • Best warrior for the Greeks • Suffers from excessive Pride (hubris) and anger. • In war for fame
Greeks (also known as the Acheans) • Agamemnon – Leader of Greeks/suffers from pride and stubbornness. • Patroklos – close friend of Achilles • Odysseus – most intelligent Greek and advisor to Achilles. • Hera and Athena – favor Greeks
Trojans • Hector – best Trojan soldier and prince of Troy • King Priam – king of Troy • Paris – Hector’s brother and prince of Troy/kills Achilles. • Andromache – Hector’s wife. • Aphrodite, Apollo, and Ares – favor Trojans. • Zeus – mostly neutral but appeases gods involved.
Death of Achilles • Many different stories: • Killed by Paris who finds out vulnerable spot from Apollo • Apollo in the disguise of Paris • Achilles falls in love with one of Priam’s daughters and is slain when he shows up for the wedding.
Read from Book 1, Rage of Achilles, p. 364-373 • While reading, annotate (use sticky notes): • questions, • comments, • identification of literary elements (particularly evidence of themes and examples of imagery and other figurative language), • vocabulary words (either words you aren’t that familiar with and/or perfect words you want to add to your writing vocabulary.) Ln 57 – theme reference Ln 61-65: Achille’ charac. Ln 63-65: Greek Culture Comments: Agamemnon is so disrespectful – I would rebel! Questions: What are Achilles’ motivations for calling a meeting?
Summarizer • What values and beliefs of Greek culture have been revealed so far in The Iliad?