epic-hero-defined.ppt

This is s short presentation of the characteristics of a hero and how to make a character analysis

1. THE EPIC HERO
ENGLISH 9

2. WHAT IS A HERO?
1. In mythology and legend, a man,
often of divine ancestry, who is
endowed with great courage and
strength, celebrated for his bold
exploits, and favored by the gods.
2. A person noted for feats of courage
or nobility of purpose, especially
one who has risked or sacrificed
his or her life
3. A person noted for special
achievement in a particular field
4. The principal character in a novel,
poem, or dramatic presentation.

3. WHAT DO HEROES TEACH US?
•The hero’s quest
helps us understand
our own journey
through life.
•The hero is a social
icon that represents
the values important
to a society.

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF A HERO
•Imposing in stature
(physical or social)
•Their style is grand, yet
simple (humble/humility)
•The setting of their story
is vast (more than 1
setting/nation)
•Super-human courage and
strength
•Faces supernatural forces

5. THE HERO’S JOURNEY
•BIRTH: The hero
comes from humble
origins or a
disadvantaged
situation.
•INITIATION: The
hero discovers that he
has a special calling.

6. •THE QUEST: The hero
sets out on a journey
which is both physical
and spiritual. The hero
will face temptation,
and have obstacles to
overcome and a foe to
vanquish. A mentor
may help them achieve
their goals.
THE HERO’S JOURNEY

7. •ROMANCE: The hero
will often meet a
romantic counterpart
that aids or challenges
him further.
•THE JOURNEY
HOME: The hero
achieves his goal, then
returns home where
his exploits are
celebrated.
THE HERO’S JOURNEY

8. Shrek as an epic hero
Shrek is, of course, an ogre.
This is pretty supernatural.
He is very different from the
other creatures in the
fairytale world.
He is so different that he is often threatened by
villagers with pitchforks and torches.
Shrek is also charged with a quest. He must save his
house, and the homes of the other fairytale creatures,
from the King's expansion project.

9. In trying to do this, Shrek goes
through trials and challenges. He
has to fight a dragon, save a
princess, and even deal with the
mouth of his special companion,
Donkey.
Shrek also hits a low point -he pushes away Donkey
when it looks like things get to hard.
He also pushes away the Princess Fiona, knowing
that he was going to have to give her up anyway.
However, Shrek makes a comeback, fighting to get
back his friends and the love of his ogrish life.