Hero or Idol?Hero or Idol?

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

The Greek HeroThe 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 charactersmentioned?

Traits of the Greek HeroTraits of the Greek Hero

Unusual Circumstances of Birth

Leaves Family and Lives With Others

Traumatic Event Leads to Quest

Special Weapon

Supernatural Help

Unusual BirthUnusual BirthOften in danger or

born into royalty…

Leaves FamilyLeaves FamilyRaised away from…

-or separated from home

Traumatic EventTraumatic Event

The hero’s life is changed forever…

Special WeaponSpecial Weapon

Only the hero can

wield it…

Supernatural HelpSupernatural Help

-god or goddesses help the hero

Proves self on Quest

Journey and Unhealable Wound

Atonement With Father

Spiritual Apotheosis

More Heroic Traits…

Proves Him or HerselfProves Him or HerselfThe hero performsheroic feats…

Journey & Unhealable WoundJourney & Unhealable WoundHero descends into a

gloomy area and suffers wounding from an encounter with evil

Atonement With FatherAtonement With FatherThe hero either redeems

father’s evil deeds or reconciles with father over wrongs done by the hero

ApotheosisApotheosis

Hero is rewarded spiritually at the end of his, or her life

Aha! –But not all of these Aha! –But not all of these characterscharactershave all of the characteristics!have all of the characteristics!

That’s okay. -They don’t really That’s okay. -They don’t really have to…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 Now, can you think of any other Heroes who fit this mold?Heroes who fit this mold?

ReferencesReferencesDavis, 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.