HEROISM. The Epic Hero

Transcription

1 HEROISM Ms. Heredia 2014 Part One: The Epic Hero

2 The Epic Epic: A long, serious literary work (often a poem) that describes the adventures of a national or cultural hero

3 The Epic Hero Objective: Understand the conventions of the epic form Develop a common formula & terminology for comparison among epic heroes

4 Conventions of the EPIC FORM

5 1) Vast, Cosmic Setting The Epic Planet Krypton (Superman, 1978)

6 2) Starts In Medias Res (in the midst of things ) The Epic Planet Krypton (Superman, 1978)

7 The Epic 3) Heroic Action: Response to Catastrophic Situation Planet Krypton (Superman, 1978)

8 The Epic 4) Epic Heroes embody Cultural Ideals Midwestern Upbringing (Superman, 1978) Truth, Justice and the American way

9 The Epic 5) Code of Conduct: forces them to challenge threats to society Moral Code: avoid violence and death at all costs (Superman, 1978)

10 6) Good vs. Evil Motif The Epic (threatening force, often personified, must be significant enough to require a hero s response, e.g. Villains threaten to takeover Krypton, or murder millions of innocent people

11 The Epic 7) Adventures presented in Episodes Cliffhanger ending= room for a sequel Pattern: violent incidents followed by peace

12 8) Elevated Language The Epic does not sermonize (preach, lecture)

13 Traits of the EPIC HERO

14 The Epic Hero TRAIT General Description Application to Superman

15 Mysterious Origins The Epic Hero General Description Hero s birth is often shrouded in mystery. In youth, heroes are commonly ignorant of their true origins, having been exiled, abandoned, or adopted Application to Superman Superman comes from a galaxy of the Red Sun; sole survivor, he travels in a crystal ship to earth, where he is found climbing from a chasm and adopted by a Midwest couple, the Kents.

16 Extraordinary Powers The Epic Hero General Description The hero, endowed at the moment of birth with special powers, may have his heroic properties revealed by supernatural means or through a crisis. This suggests a predestined heroism, a fulfilling or a claiming of the hero s destiny. These powers may be personal qualities or accessories a magic sword, cape, horn. Application to Superman Superman flies faster than a speeding bullet; he has x-ray vision, super hearing, and great strength

17 Areas of Vulnerability The Epic Hero General Description The hero has weaknesses, flaws and/or limits, these may be physical or psychological; the heroic figure is not a god Application to Superman Superman is alienated by his uniqueness; he cannot see through lead; he experiences the weakening effect of kryptonite; and his love for Lois Lane has a compromising effect

18 Rites of Passage The Epic Hero General Description Rite of Passage Test or experience required for a young person to achieve adulthood In the Heroic Sense Through struggles, trials, and ordeals, the hero is tested and emerges a champion. Application to Superman Superman discovers powers that set him apart from others; he struggles not to take unfair advantage; he is called by the crystal to journey North, where he learns of his identity/ purpose

19 The Epic Hero Confrontation(s) with Evil General Description Hero engages in risky combats with destructive forces, either natural phenomena or humans/gods with malicious intentions Application to Superman Superman s feats culminate in his confrontation with the arch-villain Lex-Luthor, as the hero combats the master plan to destroy the California coast.

20 The Epic Hero Achievement of Destiny General Description The hero is a savior to humanity and an example of the heroic ideal. Destiny may involve winning a maiden, a war, or a kingdom. Often the hero s death causes a kind of immortality, or belief in continued life in another form among people Application to Superman Superman receives a warning that he must never tamper with the history of humanity; but he also has a mission to lead people to good, to act as the champion of truth, justice and the American way

21 Dignified Language The Epic Hero General Description Although it may have light moments, the epic is a serious work; its language is often poetic; it is likely to employ many literary conventions Application to Superman Superman includes the following devices: speeches about purpose; poetry; newspaper accounts of powers; alliterative names, Clark Kent mild-mannered reporter; a series of heroic achievements.