Defining the HeroDefining the Hero

Hero: a human being of extraordinary Hero: a human being of extraordinary qualitiesqualities– Campbell’s definition: Campbell’s definition:

male or female male or female who leaves the world of everyday life to undergo a who leaves the world of everyday life to undergo a

journey journey to a special world where challenges and fears are to a special world where challenges and fears are

overcome in order to overcome in order to Secure a reward, whichSecure a reward, which The hero shares with his original communityThe hero shares with his original community

Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes

Hero as…Hero as…– WARRIOR: near god-like hero faces physical WARRIOR: near god-like hero faces physical

challenges and external enemieschallenges and external enemies Ex. Odysseus, Will Smith in Independence DayEx. Odysseus, Will Smith in Independence Day

– LOVER: a pure love motivates hero to complete his LOVER: a pure love motivates hero to complete his questquest Ex. Prince Charming, RomeoEx. Prince Charming, Romeo

– SCAPEGOAT: hero suffers for the sake of othersSCAPEGOAT: hero suffers for the sake of others Ex. JesusEx. Jesus

Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes

– Romantic/Gothic Hero: lover with a dark sideRomantic/Gothic Hero: lover with a dark side Ex. Dr. Frankenstein fromEx. Dr. Frankenstein from Frankenstein; Frankenstein; Heathcliff fromHeathcliff from Wuthering Wuthering

Heights, Heights, Edward Cullen from TwilightEdward Cullen from Twilight

– Proto-Feminist Heroes: female heroProto-Feminist Heroes: female hero Ex. Elizabeth from Ex. Elizabeth from Pride and PrejudicePride and Prejudice

– Apocalyptic Hero: Hero who faces the possible destruction Apocalyptic Hero: Hero who faces the possible destruction of societyof society Ex. Neo from Ex. Neo from The MatrixThe Matrix

Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes

– Anti-Hero: a non-hero, given the vocation of failure; Anti-Hero: a non-hero, given the vocation of failure; frequently humorousfrequently humorous Ex. Homer SimpsonEx. Homer Simpson

– Defiant Anti-Hero: Opposer of society’s definition of Defiant Anti-Hero: Opposer of society’s definition of heroism/goodnessheroism/goodness Ex. Kurtz from Ex. Kurtz from Heart of Darkness Heart of Darkness or or Apocalypse NowApocalypse Now

– Unbalanced Hero: protagonist has (or pretends to Unbalanced Hero: protagonist has (or pretends to have) mental or emotional deficiencieshave) mental or emotional deficiencies Ex. Hamlet; McMurphy from Ex. Hamlet; McMurphy from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s

NestNest

Heroic ArchetypesHeroic Archetypes

– The Other—The Denied Hero: a protagonist whose The Other—The Denied Hero: a protagonist whose status or essential otherness makes heroism possiblestatus or essential otherness makes heroism possible Ex. Ex. Invisible Man; The Joy Luck ClubInvisible Man; The Joy Luck Club

– The Superheroic: exaggerates the normal proportions of The Superheroic: exaggerates the normal proportions of humanity; frequently has divine or supernatural origins. humanity; frequently has divine or supernatural origins. Is set apart from society, but is nonetheless needed by Is set apart from society, but is nonetheless needed by societysociety Ex. Mythological heroes (David from the Old Testament); Ex. Mythological heroes (David from the Old Testament);

SupermanSuperman