HeroPatterns and Themes

Traditional Hero: Life Cycle

• Early Life:– His father is king– His birth is unusual– He is taken away– He is reared by

foster parents in a far country

http://www.legends.dm.net/art/merlin-wyeth.jpg

Traditional Hero: Life Cycle

Young Adulthood:

1. He returns or goes to future kingdom

2. He falls under control of an enemy

http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/The_Sword_in_the_Stone.jpg

Traditional Hero: Life Cycle

Journey / Quest:

1. He often journeys to place where shades of dead visit him

2. He finds women dangerous

3. He is given weapons / talismans w/ powers

4. He crosses water

5. He confronts death in monsters / ghosts

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~merrie/Arthur/gifs/excalibur.jpg

Traditional Hero: Life Cycle

Return Home:

1. After victory over monster / enemy, he becomes king

2. After his death, his children don’t succeed him

3. His body is not buried

http://www.lastsquare.com/PrintCatalog/CranstonPix/dhm1070.jpg

Traditional Hero: Themes

• Isolation: Alone, hero’s courage, strength and wisdom are tested

• Quest: The physical / psychological struggle (ex: body / soul, duty / desire)

• Cycle: Life, death, rebirth

• Redeemer: Restores kingdom to health

• Model: Godlike potential uplifts humanity

• Protector: Kills kingdom’s beasts / enemies

Traditional Hero: Characteristics

• Of shame culture: “good name” is prized

• Beloved leader• Honorable, loyal,

generous, brave• Physically

intimidating, handsome

• Strong, fair fighter

http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/The_Sword_of_Lancelot.jpg

Traditional Hero: Differences

Epic Hero: Beowulf Chivalric Hero: Arthur

beowulfandgrendel.com/v-web/gallery/albums/THE-GEAT-GALLERY/Iceland_Beowulf_Grendel_2004_239.jpg&imgrefurl=http://

http://www.firstfoot.com/scotchmyth/images/King-Arthur-Butler-L.jpg

Traditional Hero: Differences

Epic Hero: Beowulf1. Struggle is physical

with a monster or warrior

2. Fights to save people

3. Audience constantly at war, fighting for survival

Chivalric Hero: Arthur1. Struggle is spiritual

with ideals and standards

2. Fights to save ideals

3. Audience of leisure, wanting to be entertained

Bibliography

Dragons on a Shore. <http://www.flux.utah.

edu/~aclement/templair/collection/> 1 Nov 2005.

Harris, Stephen L. and Gloria Platner. Classicanl Mythology: Images and Insights. London: Mayfield Publishing Co., 1998.

Jokinen, Anniina. Heroes of the Middle Ages. <www.luminarium.org/medlit/

medheroes.htm> 28 Oct 2005.