1.
Take a sheet of notebook paper out.
2.
Fold the paper in half vertically (like a
“hotdog”).
3.
Label the left column “NOTES ON
HEROES”
4.
Label the right column “MY
THOUGHTS, EXAMPLES, OR
CONNECTIONS”

“You must go with me to Alderaan.” -Obi-Wan Kenobi
 The hero starts out living an ordinary life.
 He or she is called to go on a quest, often by a
“mentor.”
 Glinda the Good Witch tells Dorothy she must visit the Wizard of Oz
 Obi-Wan Kenobi asks Luke Skywalker to help destroy the
Empire
 Gandalf enlists Frodo’s help to destroy the One Ring.
 The hero might doubt that he or she is capable of completing a quest, and “refuse the call.”
 However, the mentor encourages the hero or even gives magical items to help.

“We’re off to see the Wizard.” -Dorothy
 The hero goes through many trials on his or her way to achieving the quest.
 “Threshold guardians” will block their way to new places. The hero must either outsmart or defeat them.
 Allies join the hero to help.
 The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion help Dorothy
 Luke and Obi-Wan hire Han Solo and Chewbacca
 The Fellowship of the Ring journey with Frodo

“What have you learned, Dorothy?” -The Tin Man
 The hero defeats the shadow and is able to finish his or her quest.
 The hero returns back home as a different person then when the quest started.
 Sometimes the mentor or the allies leave the hero, knowing that the quest is completed.

“There’s no place like home.” -Dorothy
 Others may not recognize the hero when he or she returns home because the hero has changed.
 Sometimes the hero has to clean up or fix something that happened to his or her hometown when the hero was on the quest.
 The hero has help along the way from magical items, mentors, and allies, but it is ultimately what’s inside the hero that helps the hero win.

 The hero is introduced in the middle of the story’s action; previous events will be recounted in flashbacks.
 The hero is not only a warrior and a leader, but also a polished speaker.
 The hero, often a demi-god, possesses weapons of great size and power, which are often presents from the gods.
 Odysseus’ bow
 The hero must undertake a long, perilous journey, often involving a descent into the Underworld, which tests his endurance, courage, and craftiness.

 Epic poetry often begins with an
“invocation,” which is when the narrator calls on creative help to tell the story.
 Epic poems often begin “ in media res ,” which is Latin for “in the middle of the action (story).” This means a good part of the story has already happened and the narrator begins the poem by catching the reader up on what’s happened.

 The Epic or Homeric Simile is an extended comparison beginning with "like" or "as"
 The simile is loaded with description, often holds up the action at a crucial point to produce suspense, and continues for several lines.
 Epithets are short phrases that refer to the character’s traits.
 “ rosy-fingered Dawn ” to describe the sunrise, “ swift-footed
Achilles” to describe the qualities of Achilles