Characteristics of an EpicCharacteristics of an Epic

From The Odyssey to Star Wars —a formula identified by Joseph Campbell in The Hero With a Thousand Faces

• An epic always has a hero

• The hero has three main qualities : strength, bravery, and intelligence

• Always involves a dangerous and long adventure

• Always has many antagonists

• Always involves many wars and battles

• Man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. gods, man vs. fate, man vs. society, man vs. nature

• Examples?

• Always involves many parts (books)

• Always begins in the middle and uses flashbacks to tell the first part of the story

The Epic Mode

• Heroes are often of obscure or mysterious origin or they have reached manhood before learning of their parentage.

• Examples?

• All go through some form of initiation, which may come prior to the departure or during their journey; hence, the term initiation is attached to stories in which young people meet a challenge and learn something new about themselves.

• The heroes’ ways are beset by danger, loneliness, and temptation

• Monsters, demons, obstacles, hazards

• Women who tempt them

• The hero often has a guide or guides

• Supernatural aids

• Charms to protect hero

• Give advice and direction

• Many quest tales supply friends, servants, or disciples as company for the heroes

• The hero descends into darkness and is changed after he emerges. The descent into darkness is figurative rather than a literal symbol, for sometimes the “dark moment” takes place at high noon.

• The hero suffers a wound, but once again, the wound may not be physical

• The hero wins the prize; he is successful in his quest or reaches his goal.

• What the hero has sought is usually no more than a symbol of what he finds. The prize may be, and frequently is, different from what the hero expected.

• With few exceptions, the heroes are male (especially the mythological ones), but seldom achieve success without the aid of a female.

• The problems and solutions usually have universal significance and present valid lessons for all mankind.

300 Trailer

• http://www.apple.com/trailers/wb/300/trailer1/large.html

Gladiator trailer

• http://movies.virginmedia.com/player/default.asp?url=/film/fid42/trailers/trid43/wm/bb.asx&filmid=42&trid=43&partner=virgin&sec=trl&psec=trlaz

Superman returns trailer

• http://movies.virginmedia.com/player/default.asp?url=/film/fid437/trailers/trid2245/wm/high.asx&filmid=437&trid=2245&partner=virgin&sec=trl&psec=trlaz

Beowulf trailer

• http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/beowulf/