The Epic

The Hero’s Journey

• Stories that are found in movies and books such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Disney’s The Lion King, The Matrix, Ender’s Game, and the Harry Potter series have something in common: they are all epics. • As their main characters set off on their heroic journeys,

they follow the formulaic monomyth (Joseph Campbell’s version): • Summarize one of the epics mentioned above (or another

popular movie or story) using the monomyth formula.

Epic Hero

• The larger-than-life character in an epic• Demonstrates traits that are valued by

the society

• Epic: a long narrative poem about important events in the history or folklore of a culture

Qualities of the Epic Hero• What are some qualities that we admire in heroes?

Create a Superhero/Superheroine1. Create an original superhero/superheroine that the world

desperately needs. 2. How will the superhero save or change the world? 3. What superhuman or extraordinary power(s) does he/she

possess? 4. What is his source of power, moral code, and motivation?5. What are the superhero‟s secret identity, distinctive costume,

and special weapon? 6. Describe his secret headquarters or base of operations. 7. What is his/her occupation or source of income that does not

arouse suspicion in the workaday world? 8. Describe the superhero‟s dual life, including friends, love

interests, and co-workers who are unaware of the superhero‟s double identity.

9. Who are the superhero‟s enemies and nemeses?