Transcript Greek Hero


a hero is a woman or man who is noted
for their nobility, courage and outstanding
achievements or even a great warrior

an idol is a deity, a false god or something
visible but without substance
Hero or Idol?
The Greek Hero
What Do Luke Skywalker, Simba, King
Arthur, Moses, Wonder Woman,
William Wallace, & Optimus Prime
all have in common?
ANSWER:
They are all Heroes
But what is a Greek Hero?
Okay, so what exactly characterizes an Greek
Hero?
–And what does this have to do with the characters
mentioned?

Unusual Circumstances of Birth

Leaves Family and Lives With
Others

Traumatic Event Leads to Quest

Special Weapon

Supernatural Help
Traits of the Greek Hero
Unusual Birth
Often in danger or
born into royalty…
Leaves Family
Raised away from…
-or separated from home
Traumatic Event
The hero’s life is
changed forever…
Special Weapon
Only the hero
can
wield it…
Supernatural Help
-god or goddesses
help the hero
More Heroic Traits…

Proves self on Quest

Journey and Unhealable
Wound

Atonement With Father

Spiritual Apotheosis
Proves Him or Herself
The hero performs
heroic feats…
Journey & Unhealable Wound
Hero descends into a
gloomy area and
suffers wounding from
an encounter with evil
Atonement With Father
The hero either redeems
father’s evil deeds or
reconciles with father over
wrongs done by the hero
Apotheosis
Hero is rewarded spiritually
at the end of his, or her life
Aha! –But not all of these
characters
have all of the characteristics!
That’s okay. -They don’t really
have to…
As long as a hero displays several of these
characteristics, he, or she, is in the club!
Now, can you think of any other
Heroes who fit this mold?
References
Davis, Bryan M. "The Archetypal Hero in
Literature, Religion, Movies, and Popular
Culture." 11 Oct 1997. Stephen F. Austin
University. (07/07/2009).
<http://www.tatsbox.com/hero?
Nilsen, Alleen P., & Donelson, Kenneth L.
Literature for
Today’s Young Adults, 8th
ed. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 2009.