what is a hero?
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What is a hero?. You will be working with a partner for today’s assignments! Read “The Life and Times of Hercules,” a well-known account of a hero and heroic action, and annotate. With your partner, draft a list of characteristics and qualities of a hero that were presented in the story. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
What is a hero?You will be working with a partner for today’s
assignments!Read “The Life and Times of Hercules,” a well-
known account of a hero and heroic action, and annotate.
With your partner, draft a list of characteristics and qualities of a hero that were presented in the story.
Now consider your list and create a list of heroes in other areas such as history, religion, pop culture, folktales, art, politics, literature and modern times. Try to have at least 3-4 heroes in EVERY category
With your partner, answer the following questions and write a working definition of HERO.What constitutes a hero? What qualities do certain heroes have that make them
exceptional? When have we seen a situation give rise to an
unconventional hero or heroine? Do all heroes have something in common about their
appearance? What are some of the lessons that heroes can teach us? What differences exist among cultures with regard to
their concept of heroes? How can we compose an interesting way to present our
definition visually to the class? Create a visual representation/mini-poster to present with your definition.
Background Info/Literary Terms
Homer’s EpicsConsidered statements of cultural identity
Heroes embody the values of Greek culture.Bravery, loyalty, intelligence, honor to the gods,
heroism, glory, determination, etc.
More on Homer
Homer is said to be the first teller of adventures of all times. He was not the first author because in his day stories were passed down---they were told. He was a blind man whose date of birth is unknown.
Form In Medias Res
In the middle of thingsThe epics begin in the middle of the story but
flashback to past events.General outline and characters of stories were
already known to audience.The Trojan War
Invocation (invoking Muses) Muses are goddesses of poetry, art, music, and dance. Invoking the Muse was a poet’s way of asking for
inspiration and ideas.The Odyssey, The Iliad, and Paradise Lost (Britain).
Stock EpithetsPhrases used to rename characters based on
traitsAchilles of the swift feetHector breaker of horsesSinger emperor of knowledge
Fun Review (song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiQ4j-D5o4o
Background of the Iliad
Trojan WarEris – goddess of discord (disagreement)
Upset about not being invited to the wedding of Thetis and Peleus.
Made a Golden Apple labeled “for the fairest one.”
Athena, Hera, and AphroditeArgue over appleChoose Paris, prince of Troy to make decision.Each goddess offered a bribe.
Athena – wisdom; Hera – be a powerful king; and Aphrodite – the most beautiful woman
Trojan WarAphrodite
Offers Paris the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen.Helen is already married to Menelaos, a Greek
king.Paris
Kidnaps Helen, the“face that launched a thousand ships.”
Trojan WarMenelaos – Husband to Helen
Seeks help from Agamemnon, king of Mycenae.War lasts ten years
The Iliad focuses on the last two months of the war.
AchillesSon of Thetis (sea goddess) and Peleus, a
mortal.Dipped into the Styx all except for his heel.
(Achilles Heel) Best warrior for the GreeksSuffers from excessive Pride (hubris) and anger.In war for fame
Greeks (also known as the Acheans)Agamemnon – Leader of Greeks/suffers from
pride and stubbornness. Patroklos – close friend of AchillesOdysseus – most intelligent Greek and
advisor to Achilles.Hera and Athena – favor Greeks
TrojansHector – best Trojan soldier and prince of
TroyKing Priam – king of TroyParis – Hector’s brother and prince of
Troy/kills Achilles.Andromache – Hector’s wife.Aphrodite, Apollo, and Ares – favor
Trojans.Zeus – mostly neutral but appeases gods
involved.
Death of AchillesMany different stories:
Killed by Paris who finds out vulnerable spot from Apollo
Apollo in the disguise of ParisAchilles falls in love with one of Priam’s
daughters and is slain when he shows up for the wedding.
While reading, annotate (use sticky notes): questions, comments, identification of literary elements (particularly
evidence of themes and examples of imagery and other figurative language),
vocabulary words (either words you aren’t that familiar with and/or perfect words you want to add to your writing vocabulary.)
Read from Book 1, Rage of Achilles, p. 364-373
Ln 57 – theme referenceLn 61-65: Achille’ charac.Ln 63-65: Greek Culture
Questions:What are Achilles’ motivations for calling a meeting?
Comments:Agamemnon is so disrespectful – I would rebel!
What values and beliefs of Greek culture have been revealed so far in The Iliad?
Summarizer