The Epic, the Epic Hero, and
the Tragic Hero
The Epic Poem

The epic poem is a
long, narrative poem
that tells about the
adventures of a hero
who reflects the ideals
and values of a nation
or race. The epic
portrays a past but it is
an imaginary past.
Homer’s The Odyssey
is an example of an
epic poem.
The Epic Hero

An epic hero is a
larger-than-life
figure, usually male,
who embodies the
ideals of a nation or
race. He is a cultural
symbol, representing
an ideal larger than
himself. How could
Captain America be
considered an epic
hero?
More Epic Heroes
The Tragic Hero

The tragic hero is also
traditionally male. On
his epic quest, the
tragic hero will
invariably make some
grave mistake that
leads to his downfall.
The hero’s tragic flaw
typically centers on
the act of hubris
(pride).
This fatal flaw is often called an
achilles heel, a mythological
allusion to the Greek hero
Achilles.
The Heroine of
The Odyssey?