The Hero Archetype
and
Our Hero Odysseus
What is a hero?
What does a hero
• have to be?
• look like?
• do?
• say?
Are these
examples
of heroes?
Are these?
An Archetype is a a very typical example of a certain person or thing
The Hero Archetype in Literature
The archetypal hero appears in all religions, mythologies, and
epics of the world.
All heroes are said to share very similar qualities or
circumstances
An unusual birth; sometime dangerous or royal
Leaves home to travel and live with others
An event or trauma that leads to a quest
Help is provided by a supernatural being
The hero must prove herself/himself while on the quest
A journey and un-healable wound
An experience of atonement with the father
If the hero dies, he/she is rewarded spiritually
This can also be explained by the hero clock
The Epic
Odysseus will also show a number of other qualities because
he is an epic hero.
An epic is a long poem, showing the adventures of a
legendary or heroic character.
Just like the way we use the word epic in everyday speech, an
epic is something grand or incredibly awesome.
According to our text, an epic hero is a larger-than-life figure
who embodies the ideals of a nation or race.
Everything from the plot to the theme will be epic.
Epic Themes
Epic themes reflect timeless concerns such as courage
and honor, good and evil, life and death.
We will look at four of these during our study of The
Odyssey
kleos: is a Greek word meaning glory or renown; this
refers to the honor or legacy left behind
nostos: is the Greek word for homecoming, the idea of
returning home from a long journey.
xenia: is the ancient Greek idea of hospitality; typically
shown to those who are far from home or whom you
wish to show friendship
hubris: is the Greek idea of having excessive pride or selfconfidence; typically leads to nemesis or the downfall
Focus for Book 9
Essential Questions:
Why must we leave home?
What does The Odyssey show us about Greek life?
What does it show us about ours?
Focus:
Qualities of heroism and characterization of Odysseus
Evidence of what is civilized and barbaric in their
culture
Foreshadowing (hints or clues given by the author to
show what might happen next)
Characteristic Chart
Opinion/Qualities
9
10
21
22
23
12
Textual Evidence
turn to page 895 and take out paper/classwork notebook
The Odyssey
turn to page 896
Whole Group Reading
Where does Odysseus call home?
(provide evidence)
Who is telling the story?
Activity
With your partner, read to line 67
(“…indifferent to what the others
do.”
Focus:
Paired Reading
Conversation 2-3: quite enough that
only your partner can
hear
Help
ask your neighbor pair
then raise hand
Integrity
can collaborate, but
each partner should
take notes
Qualities of heroism and
characterization of Odysseus
Evidence of what is civilized and Effort
barbaric in their culture
Value
Foreshadowing (hints or clues
given by the author to show what
Efficiency
might happen next)
Done
reading, listening,
writing
understand book 9
classwork points
track qualities as you go
check for correct
answers, WRITE
DOWN HW, start HW
WRITE DOWN YOUR
HOMEWORK