The Quest! The Quest! The epic tale and the journey of the The epic tale and the journey of the herohero

The Traditional EpicThe Traditional Epic

A long story in poem form which begins A long story in poem form which begins in in media resmedia res, or in the middle of things with , or in the middle of things with earlier events explained later on (e.g., earlier events explained later on (e.g., The The OdysseyOdyssey, , The IliadThe Iliad, , BeowulfBeowulf) )

The story is huge in scope, sometimes vast The story is huge in scope, sometimes vast and worldwide taking the hero far beyond his and worldwide taking the hero far beyond his landland

There is a challenge or quest a hero must There is a challenge or quest a hero must venture on for the good of his people; he is venture on for the good of his people; he is stronger and braver than any of his kindstronger and braver than any of his kind

The Traditional Epic cont.The Traditional Epic cont.

His enemies are uglier and more evil than His enemies are uglier and more evil than any others he has facedany others he has faced

These enemies are usually supernatural and These enemies are usually supernatural and have special powers and weaponshave special powers and weapons

The “Gods” or other supernatural beings The “Gods” or other supernatural beings take active roles in the story take active roles in the story

The supernatural world will help the heroThe supernatural world will help the hero

The hero will fall (die literally or The hero will fall (die literally or metaphorically) only to be “resurrected” metaphorically) only to be “resurrected”

The hero will win, gain knowledge, and The hero will win, gain knowledge, and through his actions and words, he will share through his actions and words, he will share his bounty with his people for their greater his bounty with his people for their greater goodgood

The epic poem showcases the cultural mores The epic poem showcases the cultural mores of the people who composed itof the people who composed it

The Traditional Epic The Traditional Epic cont.cont.

A hero ventures forth from the world of A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man. his fellow man.

——Joseph Campbell, Joseph Campbell, The Hero With a Thousand Faces The Hero With a Thousand Faces

The Epic HeroThe Epic Hero

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Epic HeroEpic Hero

The hero’s birth is notable and somewhat The hero’s birth is notable and somewhat supernatural or beyond the normsupernatural or beyond the norm

The hero is great in stature and is larger than life The hero is great in stature and is larger than life (physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually) (physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually)

He possess qualities most desired by his society He possess qualities most desired by his society (i.e., wisdom, courage, determination, etc.) (i.e., wisdom, courage, determination, etc.)

He is tasked to go on a quest which he sometimes He is tasked to go on a quest which he sometimes refuses at first but eventually sets forth inrefuses at first but eventually sets forth in

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Epic Hero cont. Epic Hero cont.

He has a mentor or wise man/woman, who He has a mentor or wise man/woman, who helps and encourages along the wayhelps and encourages along the way

He is beset by dangers and is not fully aware He is beset by dangers and is not fully aware of the lesson he needs to learn and impartof the lesson he needs to learn and impart

He MUST venture to the underworld (hell) and He MUST venture to the underworld (hell) and fight the monsters in their lair fight the monsters in their lair

He will appear to lose and need the help of He will appear to lose and need the help of the supernatural in order to persevere (it the supernatural in order to persevere (it could be a battle within himself as well)could be a battle within himself as well)

Beowulf’s DeathBeowulf’s Death

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the Epic Hero cont. Epic Hero cont.

The epic hero will experience death either literally or The epic hero will experience death either literally or metaphorically (he changes from who he was at the metaphorically (he changes from who he was at the beginning of his quest to the end)beginning of his quest to the end)

The Epic Hero will then be resurrected into a new The Epic Hero will then be resurrected into a new being (metaphorically or literally) being (metaphorically or literally)

He will enlighten his people with the knowledge he He will enlighten his people with the knowledge he gained from the battles which will serve to benefit allgained from the battles which will serve to benefit all

Apotheosis:Apotheosis: This literally means the elevation of a This literally means the elevation of a person to the rank of a god or the glorification of a person to the rank of a god or the glorification of a person as an ideal. After completing the difficult person as an ideal. After completing the difficult challenges, the hero is idealized or worshipped in challenges, the hero is idealized or worshipped in some way. some way.

An Epic HeroAn Epic HeroJesus Jesus

Jesus Christ – was born under special circumstances, Jesus Christ – was born under special circumstances, was considered larger than life as a child and was considered larger than life as a child and demonstrated other worldly powers, was reluctant to go demonstrated other worldly powers, was reluctant to go on his quest (was away for 17 years), had a on his quest (was away for 17 years), had a supernatural guide (“God”), gained allies, performed supernatural guide (“God”), gained allies, performed great deeds and supernatural acts (healing lepers, great deeds and supernatural acts (healing lepers, raising the dead), defeated an enemy (the demoniac), raising the dead), defeated an enemy (the demoniac), was forced to venture into the underworld (the was forced to venture into the underworld (the wilderness) and fight the monster (Satan), was wilderness) and fight the monster (Satan), was victorious via his relation to the supernatural and his victorious via his relation to the supernatural and his own powers, he gained strength, fought a larger battle own powers, he gained strength, fought a larger battle against the society, he had to sacrifice himself, he died against the society, he had to sacrifice himself, he died both literally and metaphorically and was resurrected both literally and metaphorically and was resurrected with new perspective and better way to live, an people with new perspective and better way to live, an people try to emulate his teachings and he is considered on the try to emulate his teachings and he is considered on the same level as a god. same level as a god.