The Epic

THE EPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPIC

THE EPIC

• An epic is a long narrative story or poem.

• An epic recounts the adventures of an epic hero, a larger-than-life figure who undertakes great journeys and performs deeds requiring remarkable strength and cunning. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPIC

ARCHETYPE –

PRONOUNCED (ÄR K -TYP)

• An archetype is a pattern in literature that is found in a variety of works from different cultures throughout the ages. • An archetype can be a plot, a character, an image or a setting.

• Heroes • Shadows • Mentors • Heralds • Threshold Guardians • Shapeshifters

• Tricksters • Allies • Woman as Temptress

EXAMPLES OF ARCHETYPES AS CHARACTERS

HEROES THE EPIC HERO •

Often possesses supernatural strengths or abilities

•

Is charged with a quest

•

Is tested, often to improve the worthiness of himself and his quest

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Restitution. Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne. Odysseus is considered an epic hero in The Odyssey

SHADOWS • Villains

• Enemies or perhaps the enemy within.

Voldemort from Harry Potter

MENTORS The hero’s guide or guiding principles

Gandalf from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

HERALD The one who brings the call to adventure Can be a person or event

The tornado is a herald in The Wizard of Oz

THRESHOLD GUARDIANS The forces that stand in the way at the turning points

Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter

SHAPESHIFTERS Creatures who change their shape

The goddess, Athena, can become most any person or animal.

TRICKSTERS Clowns and mischief makers

Pippin and Merry from The Lord of the Rings

ALLIES Characters who help the hero through the quest

Donkey from Shrek

WOMAN AS TEMPTRESS • Femme fatale

• Offers danger to the hero

Princess Leia from Star Wars

THE HERO’S JOURNEY • Discovered by Joseph Campbell in his analysis of epic stories. • The hero’s journey is a cycle that is followed in hero myths and stories. An example of what the Hero’s Journey would look like in a diagram.

THE HERO’S JOURNEY The Ordinary World – the hero lives in a world that is normal or uneventful – (ex. Frodo Baggins and the Shire) The Call to Adventure – the hero is charged with a quest – (ex. Dorothy and the red slippers)

THE HERO’S JOURNEY Refusal of the Quest – the hero decides whether to accept or deny quest – (ex. Simba refuses to return to Pride Rock) Accepting the call The hero makes the decision to accept the call (ex. Luke in Star Wars)

Entering the Unknown – the hero enters a world previously unknown to him/her (ex. Frodo outside of the Shire)

THE HERO’S JOURNEY • Supernatural Aid – could be a being or object (Frodo – Gandalf the Wizard) • Allies/Helpers – the hero is aided by helpers (ex. Dorothy and the lion, tin man and scarecrow)

THE HERO’S JOURNEY • Tests/Belly of the Whale – the hero is tested (ex. Dorothy – defeating the Wicked Witch) • Reward and the Journey Home – The hero claims reward (ex. Shrek – Fiona) • Master of the Two Worlds/Restoring the World – the hero restores order in his former home (ex. Simba and Pride Rock)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGV1BvnyvGo

THE HERO’S JOURNEY IN FILM