WHAT IS A HERO?

9th Grade English

Mrs. Leach and Mrs. Flatt

YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE NOTES!

HERO TYPES Hero: (1) In mythology, a mighty

warrior who is often the son of a god or king and goes on an epic quest. (Odysseus)

HERO TYPES Hero: (2) Main character of a story who

often displays admirable qualities.

HERO TYPES Anti-Hero: Main character of a story

who is flawed in some way and often does not display admirable qualities.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING. . . Why do you think that flawed main

characters sometimes are more likable than ones who are not?

Over the years, the number of anti-heroes playing the lead in movies has risen. Why do you think this is?

THE HERO’S JOURNEY Think of the hero’s journey as a cycle

that the hero must go through.

1. Departur

e

2. Initiation

3. Return

1. THE DEPARTURE Call to Adventure- The character is

called (willingly or unwillingly) to do something out of the ordinary.

Refusal of the Call- Sometimes the character doesn’t want to go on the adventure.

Answering the call- There is something that motivates the character to accept the call.

Supernatural Aid- Someone or something (with magical powers, usually) helps the hero on the journey.

1. THE DEPARTURE Guide/ Mentor- A specific character

helps the hero understand the life situation or provides the hero with special training.

Talisman- An item of significance (a necklace, a token, a totem).

Companions- These help the hero on the journey.

Crossing the Threshold- The Hero leaves the familiar and goes to the unfamiliar.

Threshold Guardians- Prevent the hero from crossing into the unfamiliar.

2. THE INITIATION Road of Trials- Challenges that the

hero faces. Brother Battle- a physical or mental

battle with a close relative or friend. Meeting the Goddess- meeting with a

special beauty or power. Abduction- the character (or someone

close to them) is kidnapped. Night/Sea Journey- the hero travels on

the sea or in the dark.

2. THE INITIATION Dragon Battle- the hero battles a

monster of some kind (either an enemy or personal demon).

Ritual Death- The hero is thought to be dead OR the hero believes someone close to him/her is dead. The hero may also suffer an injury.

Sacred marriage- a literal marriage or special emotional bond.

Atonement- usually a reuniting with a father (or father figure).

2. THE INITIATION Entering the belly of the whale- The

point where the hero must face his deepest, darkest fear.

Apotheosis- The point where the hero is worshipped as a god?

Ultimate Boon/ Magic Elixir- The hero finds some special solution to a problem he/she is attempting to resolve (possible a magic potion).

3. THE RETURN Refusal of the Return- The hero

refuses to return to the homeland or the place that he/ she began the journey.

Magic Flight/Pursuit- Towards the end, where the hero is being chased or trying to escape from something.

Rescue from Without- All seems hopeless, it seems that the hero will die, then suddenly a rescue happens unexpectedly.

Crossing the Return Threshold- The hero clearly returns “home.”

3. THE RETURN Master of Two Worlds- The hero has

conquered life in both the familiar and unfamiliar worlds.

Freedom to Live- The hero has resolved the problem so that all can live freely.