Heroes, Journeys, Myths, and Epics

An Introduction

Characteristics of an epic…

A physically impressive hero of national or historical importance

A vast setting involving much of the physical world, and sometimes the land of the dead

Action such as a mission or quest taken in search of something of value

Continued…Evidence of supernatural forces at workGlorification of the hero at the endRooted in a specific culture or society

What is a myth?

Myths are stories about supernatural beings. In early times, they were handed down orally from one generation to another.

Myths attempt to explain…

NATURE and its processes:

Where did earth come from?

What about the heavens? (Sun, moon, stars, etc.)

The seasons? (Climate, rain, etc.)

Geography? (Oceans, mountains, forests, etc.)

Continued…

MAN and historical events:

Where did man come from?

His life? (Birth growth, reproduction, death)

His victories? (Glory in battle)

His defeats? (Misfortunes)

His end? (Rewards and punishments)

Reality of the human condition

Continued…

GODS:

Where did the gods come from?

How many are there?

What do they have power over?

What are their roles?

What are their powers and weaknesses?

What is an archetype?

It is an original model after which other similar things are patterned – these are found in every culture all

over the world.

Situational Archetypes:

The Quest

The Task

The Initiation

The JourneyThe FallDeath and Rebirth

The QuestSearch for someone or an object which,when found,

will restore peace or balance to a society

The TaskPart of the quest that

serves as a test – hero will usually have to perform some super-human deed

The InitiationUsually an initiation into adulthood or some role the hero must take on

The JourneySPIRITUAL journey hero must go through in search of truth – it is a spiritual

or psychological awakening

The FallDescent from a higher to a

lower state of being – usually involves loss of

innocence, banishment, or death

Death and Rebirth

Shows cycle of nature and life

Character Archetypes

THE HERO: Many traits!Unusual circumstances of birth

Leaves family or land

Event leads to quest

Has special weapon only he can wield

Gets “supernatural” help

Must pass testUsually has a journey and an unhealable woundExperiences atonement with parent(s)Glorified at the end of the quest

Major Character Archetypes:

The Initiates

The Mentor

The Hunting Group of Companions

The Friendly Beast

The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart

The Devil Figure

The Transgressor

The Destroyer

The Trickster

The Scapegoat

The Outcast

The Creature of Nightmares

Other Character Archetypes:

The Earth Mother

The Innocent

The Temptress

The Platonic Ideal

The Amazon Warrior

The Damsel in Distress

The Threshold Guardian

The Shadow

The Star-Crossed Lovers

Symbolic Archetypes

Symbolic Archetypes:

Light vs. Darkness

Water vs. Desert

Heaven vs. Hell

Fire vs. Ice

Nature vs. Mechanistic World

Good vs. Evil

Father vs. Son

Unhealable Wound

Ritual

Supernatural Intervention

Magic Weapon

Color Archetypes

Yes, writers of literature and film choose colors for a reason!

WhitePositive associations:

Light, innocence, purity, virginityNegative:

Death, terror, supernatural, blinding truth

http://www.starwars.com/databank/organization/stormtroopers/

BlackPositive associations:

Knowledge, intelligence

Negative:

Evil, sadness, chaos, mystery, death

http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/darthvader/

YellowRepresents hope, happiness

Associated with the sun

RedPositive associations:

Love, artistry

Negative:

Blood, sacrifice, disorder

BluePositive color associated with serenity, truth, spiritual purity, peace

GreenPositive associations:

Life, rebirth, growth, hope, fertility

Negative:Death, decay

OrangePositive color made from red and yellow; symbolizes hope and passion

http://www.starwars.com/community/news/2002/03/news20020308b.html

BrownEarth tones positively represent nature

http://www.starwars.com/databank/species/ewok/eu.html

PurpleAssociated with power and royalty

Numeric Symbolism

Yes, these can mean something, too!

Significant Numbers:One: complete unityTwo: symbolizes duality (night/day, sun/moon, etc.)Three: associated with Holy Trinity, light, unity

Four: associated with the circle, life cycle, seasons, elements, earth, nature

Seven: signifies the union of 3 and 4, which signifies perfect order