The Epic, the Epic Hero, and the Tragic Hero

1
The Epic, the Epic Hero, and the Tragic Hero
2
The Epic Poem

• The epic poem is a long, narrative poem that
  tells about the adventures of a hero who reflects
  the ideals and values of a nation or race. The
  epic portrays a past but it is an imaginary past.
  Homers The Odyssey is an example of an epic
  poem.

3
The Epic Hero

• An epic hero is a larger-than-life figure,
  usually male, who embodies the ideals of a nation
  or race. He is a cultural symbol, representing
  an ideal larger than himself. How could Captain
  America be considered an epic hero?

4
More Epic Heroes
5
The Tragic Hero

• The tragic hero is also traditionally male. On
  his epic quest, the tragic hero will invariably
  make some grave mistake that leads to his
  downfall. The heros tragic flaw typically
  centers on the act of hubris (pride).

This fatal flaw is often called an achilles heel,
a mythological allusion to the Greek hero
Achilles.
6
The Heroine of The Odyssey?