Understanding Mythology and Legends for Middle School Language
Arts/Humanities Students
Slide 3
When youre in the TERMS section, you may *Click* on young
Hercules to return to the previous slide. *Click* on Excalibur to
go to Part I, Part II, and Part III pathways of the Journey of the
Hero
Slide 4
Why think about the Journey of the Hero? Many great minds
throughout history have studied what it means to be a hero. From
the beginning of time, people have told fantastic tales of
mythology, legends, fairy tales, and fables to help explain the
origins of existence, the world, and our surroundings. These tales
also help try to explain why people behave the way they do, and
explain their actions and deeds. Sowhat does it mean to be a
hero?
Slide 5
Defining the Journey of the Hero In the Journey of the Hero,
there are specific characteristics or traits that define this story
or narrative. You might be surprised to find out that many of your
favorite books or movies follow this story plotline or path. The
hero/heroine is not just doing something for personal survival, but
for others.
Slide 6
Key Terms: Click on the graphic to learn more about that term
or phrase. Mythology HeroQuestArc of the Hero Cycle
Slide 7
What is Mythology? A man named Joseph Campbell spent years
thinking about what makes a hero a hero, and why we as humans seem
to need heroes in our stories and cultures. Based on his work, we
have a greater understanding of what characteristics mythology and
legends have throughout cultures and history. To watch a film about
Joseph Campbell:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=227781013595028167deo.g
oogle.com/videoplay?docid=227781013595028167
Slide 8
Quest A quest is a journey in search of something, an object,
or goal, or an idea, (such as peace). It is usually long and
difficult.
Slide 9
Hero The main character leaves his or her community to go on an
adventure, performing deeds that bring honor to the community (Herz
and Gallo 121).
Journey of the Hero On the Edge of Greatness! Click here to go
to Part I: Departure Click here to go to Part II: Initiation Click
here to go to Part III: The Return
Slide 12
Part I: Departure/Separation The Call to Adventure The hero is
just living a normal life, and receives some information that sends
her off to the unknown, usually in search of something important,
or saving something or someone.
Slide 13
Example Help me, Obi-Won Kenobi, youre my only hope.
Slide 14
Departure/Separation Refusal of the Call The hero, at first,
doesnt want to do the task or deed he is asked to do; however,
something unfortunate may happen to him, even if its just regret
and a life of mediocrity.
Slide 15
Example Hercules kills his wife and children, due to madness
caused by Hera (she caused a lot of problems). He would not have
gone on his quests had it not been for this tragedy.
Slide 16
Departure/Separation Supernatural Aid The hero accepts the
call, and encounters some protective, mystical figure, often an
older person, who provides special tools, knowledge, gifts, or
weaponry to help the hero in his tasks.
Slide 17
Examples Perseus receives a helmet from Hermes. Luke receives a
light saber from Obi-Won Dorothy receives ruby slippers from
Glenda
Slide 18
Departure/Separation Crossing of the First Threshold The
heroine must cross over into a world that is strange and unknown to
her. Oftentimes there is a guardian or gate-keeper to guard the
entryway.
Slide 19
Example Frodo Baggins must leave his Shire home to go where he
has never been before.
Slide 20
Departure/Separation Belly of the Whale The hero/heroine may
not go over a threshold, but go through this process instead
Transformation, or the hero is shaken down, stripped of their
former physical and mental selves
Slide 21
Example When Dionysus, the god of the vine in Greek mythology,
was a baby, Hera sends hungry Titans to devour him. Hestia, goddess
of the hearth, saves him and he is reborn.
Slide 22
Part II: Initiation The Road of Trials The hero is now on his
way. Hes been transformed, or crossed the threshold to a new and
strange world. Now, he begins to encounter obstacles (people,
objects, monsters) that hinder his path, and he must conquer all.
There is usually unseen help (from a god/goddess, or other mystical
being). The Twelve Labors of Hercules The Twelve Labors of
Hercules
Slide 23
Example In the Chinese legend of Mulan, she must learn to fight
and train as a soldier, proving her stamina and worth.
Slide 24
Initiation Meeting of the Goddess/God On the road, the hero may
meet a woman with whom he will have a unique bond. The woman may be
his mother, sister, or another goddess, but through her, he
receives support and energy. If its a female heroine, a male figure
will be present.
Slide 25
Example In the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Galadriel guides
Frodo and provides him with a token of protection.
Slide 26
Initiation The Tempter Someone who tries to get the hero
distracted from his or her mission, or their quest; usually offers
comfort, fun, riches, love, money, etc.
Slide 27
Example Calypso does her best to keep Odysseus by her side, and
prevent him from his journey home.
Slide 28
Initiation Atonement with the Father The central character may
meet a father figure character they must confront. This person is
of high authority. Sometimes the father figure may be an ideal that
the person holds as the ultimate authority.
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/storytelling/plots/hero_journey/atonement_father.htm
Slide 29
Example When Darth Vader confesses to Luke Skywalker that he is
Lukes father. Luke isnt too happy about that.
Slide 30
Initiation Apotheosis Apotheosis means the highest point of
glory, power, or importance. It may also mean the transformation
into a deity, meaning a human becomes an immortal god or
goddess.
Slide 31
Example Apotheosis occurs when Gandalf the Grey transforms to
Gandalf the White.
Slide 32
Initiation The Ultimate Boon Boon means a gift or favor, or
something that works like a blessing or benefit. This is the prize
that the hero set out to get, and transforms his character. The
hero is now ready to accept this, meaning, he can handle it
now.
Slide 33
Example Perseus manages to get Medusa to part with her
head
Slide 34
Part III: The Return The Refusal of the Return Well, things are
pretty wonderful in the new world the heroine has discovered, and
she may not want to go back to her normal existence. This is the
fulfillment of the promise and oath of the quest
Slide 35
Example In the Disney version of Hercules, Hercules finds
himself liking some of the glory and fame he finds as a
half-mortal.
Slide 36
The Return The Magic Flight There is a desperate, exciting, and
usually high- speed chase back home with the boon.
Slide 37
Example In Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure, our protagonists
make their way back home in the nick of time in a phone booth.
Slide 38
The Return Rescue from Without The hero is saved from one final
obstacle from a surprise source. It may or may not be someone he
knows. Sometimes the plucking from disaster comes from a
god/goddess. The phrase from without means from without knowledge,
or really, with surprise!
Slide 39
Example Spoiler Alert! At the end of Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry
is saved by a griffon, whom he encountered previously in the
plot.
Slide 40
The Return The Crossing of the Return Threshold The
hero/heroine returns to the real world. Sometimes there is one more
obstacle that is a remnant of the quest that also enters this
world, and the hero must confront one more problem before the
journey comes to a close.
Slide 41
Example Luke must confront Darth Vader one final time
Slide 42
The Return Master of Two Worlds The hero feels comfortable in
both the world of the divine and the world of humans.
Slide 43
Example Spoiler Alert! At the end of Disneys version of
Hercules, Megara and Hercules decide to live on Earth, but are
welcomed with the Immortals, too.
Slide 44
The Return Freedom to Live The heroine gives the boon to her
fellow man, and the story comes to resolution.
Slide 45
Example Spoiler Alert! And they lived happily ever after!
Slide 46
Resources/Image Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hero_with_a_Thousand_Faces
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/images/2007/08/08/hero_2.jpg
http://www.arnoldbocklin.com/ab_medusa.htm
http://ll-images.veoh.com/image.out?imageId=user-NPTFlea13.jpg
http://z.about.com/d/ancienthistory/1/0/U/F/PerseusHat.jpg
http://www.mjtstages.com/summer.php Note: some image links are
hyperlinked per image.