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Freytag’s Story Arc Introduction to Basic Plots 7 Basic Plots. Epic and Epic Hero. The Hero’s Journey. Freytag’s Story Arc. Kurt Vonnegut Explains D rama. Time moves from left to right. Happiness from bottom to top. Cinderella. Disaster Story Arc. Reality. 7 Basic Plots. The Quest
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Freytag’s Story ArcIntroduction to Basic Plots 7 Basic Plots Epic and Epic Hero The Hero’s Journey
Time moves from left to right. Happiness from bottom to top.
7 Basic Plots The Quest • An important and far off goal • The hero will be met with obstacles and forces trying to stop him from achieving his goal.
7 Basic Plots Voyage and Return • The hero is transported to another world and then back again • On this journey the protagonist learns things that give him a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him
7 Basic Plots Rebirth • The protagonist is often cast under some dark spell either instigated by himself or an outside force. • The hero’s liberation can only be achieved through the actions of other good forces.
7 Basic Plots Comedy • Comedy shows people to be worse than they are. • The characters are thrown into a state of confusionand darkness. • Resolution can only come when these constricting factors have been played out to their extremes.
7 Basic Plots Tragedy • Comedy shows people to be greater than they are. • The central character is an individual (usually of great status) unwittingly brings about his own downfall. • This downfall is supposed to provoke feelings of pity and fear in the audience and end in a catharsis, a purging of emotion.
7 Basic Plots Overcoming the Monster • The hero/heroes must overcome a dark evil creature/person/entity that has exerted an evil destructive force over a place or its people.
7 Basic Plots Rags to Riches • In this story type the hero very often gets quick success which is swiftly taken away from him/her. • In order for him/her to return to this “rich” state the protagonist must very often defeat a foe of some kind.
The Epic Definition of Epic: • An extended narrative poem recounting actions, travels, adventures, and heroic episodes. • Often derived from ancient oral tradition • Often written in high style and elevated language
Characteristics of the Epic • The hero is larger than life, often the subject of legend or a national hero • We see the hero as he is – the good, the bad,and the ugly. • The hero has super-human strength
Characteristics of the Epic • Setting is expansive, covering nations, the world, or the universe • Episodes are fictional, but often depict events from history • The gods and lesser divinities play an active role in the outcome of the actions • Each event/episode relates in some way to the central themes
The Epic Hero(also called the Archetypal Hero) • The archetypal hero appears in all religions, mythologies, and stories of the world. • They can be seen as a metaphor for the human search of self-knowledge • The epic hero shows us the path to our own consciousness through his actions.
The Traits of the Epic Hero Unusual Circumstances of Birth • born into royalty or is in danger at birth • Marked by these circumstances as different and destined for greatness. • Luke w/ aunt and uncle • Simba born a prince • Moses put in basket • King Arthur in danger from UtherPendragon’s rivals
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Leaves Family and Lives With Others • Raised away from his people • Luke w/ aunt and uncle • Simba w/ Timon and Pumba • King Arthur w/ Merlin • William Wallace with uncle • Moses w/ Pharaoh’s daughter
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Traumatic Event • A hero’s life is changed forever • Luke’s aunt and uncle’s death • Wallace’s wife is Killed • Arthur pulls the sword from the stone • Simba fights Nala • Yaweh appears to Moses
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Special Weapon • Only the hero can wield his weapon • Luke’s light saver • Arthur’s Excalibur • Moses’ staff • Wallace’s sword • Simba’s… claws?
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Supernatural Help • Hero often has spiritual guidance • Luke hears Obi Wan Kenobi • Arthur has Merlin • Yahweh guides Moses • Wallace dreams of his dead father • Simba sees Mufasa in the sky and has Rafiki help him
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Proves Himself • Hero performs feats while on Quest • Luke blows up Death Star leads rebellion • Arthur leads battles • Moses performs miracles • Simba contemplates hi slife • Wallace leads his men against British
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Journey & Unhealable Wound • Hero descends into a hell-like underworld and suffers wounding from his encounter with evil • Symbolically goes where normal humans can’t and finds truth about himself
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Atonement with Father • Hero either redeems father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero.
The Traits of the Epic Hero • Apotheosis • Elevation to divine status; deification • Hero is rewarded spiritually at the end of his life
The Hero’s Journey • The Ordinary World • The Call to Adventure • Refusal of the Call (the Reluctant Hero) • Meeting the Mentor • Crossing the Threshold • Tests, Allies, and Enemies • Approach to the Inmost Cave
The Hero’s Journey • The Supreme Ordeal (Death & Rebirth) • Reward (Seizing the Sword) • The Road Back • Resurrection • Return with the Elixir • The “elixir” is a treasure, knowledge, or lesson that has the power to heal