What is aWhat is aHERO?HERO?

The EpicThe EpicAlso called an heroic poemAlso called an heroic poem

Long narrative poemLong narrative poemReflects values of its societyReflects values of its society

Tells of the deeds of a larger-than-life heroTells of the deeds of a larger-than-life hero

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic The hero is a great leader The hero is a great leader

strongly identified with a strongly identified with a particular people or particular people or society.society.

Batman – Gotham CityBatman – Gotham CitySuperman – MetropolisSuperman – MetropolisSpiderman – New York CitySpiderman – New York City

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

He has superior He has superior physical strength and physical strength and is supremely ethical.is supremely ethical.

Batman will never kill Batman will never kill anyoneanyone

Superman can withstand Superman can withstand anything except anything except Kryptonite Kryptonite

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

The hero does great The hero does great deeds in battle or deeds in battle or undertakes an undertakes an extraordinary journey.extraordinary journey.

Travel to find villainsTravel to find villainsDefeat evilDefeat evil

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

At the end of his quest, the hero is glorified At the end of his quest, the hero is glorified by the people he has saved.by the people he has saved.

Police Commissioner commends BatmanPolice Commissioner commends BatmanSuperman makes Superman makes The Daily PlanetThe Daily PlanetSpiderman has his picture in Spiderman has his picture in The Daily BugleThe Daily Bugle

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

The setting is broad and often includes the The setting is broad and often includes the upper and lower worlds.upper and lower worlds.

Gotham City is always dark, mistyGotham City is always dark, mistySuperman goes to the earth’s core or Superman goes to the earth’s core or

atmosphereatmosphereSpiderman deals with creeps in alleysSpiderman deals with creeps in alleys

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

Sometimes the gods or other supernatural Sometimes the gods or other supernatural or fantastic beings take part in the action.or fantastic beings take part in the action.

Green GoblinGreen GoblinLex LutherLex LutherJokerJoker

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

The story is told in heightened language.The story is told in heightened language.

The heroes and villains speak in unusual word The heroes and villains speak in unusual word order when they speak to each otherorder when they speak to each other

They give long dramatic speeches about their They give long dramatic speeches about their own actions or the actions of anotherown actions or the actions of another

Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic The hero is a great leader strongly identified with a The hero is a great leader strongly identified with a

particular people or society.particular people or society. He has superior physical strength and is supremely ethical.He has superior physical strength and is supremely ethical. The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an The hero does great deeds in battle or undertakes an

extraordinary journey.extraordinary journey. At the end of his quest, the hero is glorified by the people At the end of his quest, the hero is glorified by the people

he has saved.he has saved. The setting is broad and often includes the upper and lower The setting is broad and often includes the upper and lower

worlds.worlds. Sometimes the gods or other supernatural or fantastic Sometimes the gods or other supernatural or fantastic

beings take part in the action.beings take part in the action. The story is told in heightened language.The story is told in heightened language.