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 strongand 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…. belief that he is above the fates, or in control of destiny Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride, wanton violence." HUBRIS

12. Why is Odysseus a Hero? A Man Flawed…. exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in retribution. belief that he is above the fates, or in control of destiny Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride, wanton violence." HUBRIS

13. Why is Odysseus a Hero? A Man Flawed…. exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in retribution. belief that he is above the fates, or in control of destiny Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride, wanton violence." 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 doesn’t. • 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 • Athena’s 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 weren’t 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 shouldn’t • 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. belief that he is above the fates, or in control of destiny Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride, wanton violence." 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 he’s told it’s pointless A Man Flawed…. exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in retribution. belief that he is above the fates, or in control of destiny Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride, wanton violence." 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. Tells the Cyclops his real name; Poseidon curses him Why is Odysseus a Hero? Tries to fight Scylla though he’s told it’s pointless A Man Flawed…. exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in retribution. belief that he is above the fates, or in control of destiny Hubris comes from Greek hybris, "excessive pride, wanton violence." 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 anyone…not superhuman • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric) • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric) • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric) • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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 anyone…not superhuman (Bill Gates, Lance Armstrong, Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric) • Is imperfect • Doesn’t live “on a pedestal”…very 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….)