The Hero's Journey: Hero in Literature: Myths

Stories about superhuman individuals are common to nearly all ancient civilizations.

The best known is probably the Greek legend about Hercules, or Heracles. The Hebrew Bible contains the story of a similar hero, Samson, whose exploits are recorded in the Book of Judges. After he fell in love with Delilah, she learned that his long hair was the secret of his great strength. When he was asleep she cut his hair. He was captured by his enemies, the Philistines, who blinded him and made him their slave. His strength eventually returned, and he destroyed their temple to the god Dagon, killing himself and his captors.

In most such myths, after overcoming nearly impossible obstacles, the superhero then belongs to a class of semi-divine beings.

CITATION: Encyclopædia Britannica. (n.d.). Mythology. Britannica School. Retrieved April 10, 2022, from https://school.eb.com.au/levels/middle/article/mythology/276009#205123.toc

What can some of literature’s most famous heroes teach us? From the epic hero (like Beowulf) to the tragic hero (like Oedipus), each has something distinctive to share. April Gudenrath describes the many faces of the fictional hero -- and shows how they can inspire everyday people.

Watch the video "A host of heroes - April Gudenrath" (below)

Complete the quiz.

Opinionnaire & Discussion: What do YOU think? 

1. Pass out the 'Opinionnaire' (see 'Student Activities' box) or students can download to their device. Ask students to complete it, being as honest as possible - there is no right or wrong answer.

2. Break the students into groups of 3 or 4 to discuss their answers to each question and record the statistics for their group. We are looking for consensus rather than individual responses.

3. Bring the class together for a whole group discussion of the opinionnaire. As groups talk about similarities and differences in opinion, write the main themes/topics on the board. Ask group members what they discussed and how they might feel about their disagreements. A few words that might show up on the board are: fate, dreams, choices, determination etc.

Watch the video: Devdutt Pattanaik: "East vs. West -- the myths that mystify" (available below)

Discussion: What stood out to you? What was the main point of the message? Jot down main ideas, phrases that stood out, draw a web etc in notebooks to help you remember the material covered in the video in the right side of your notebook.

Key Questions for discussion:

• Discuss with a partner which view you think Americans identify with the most? Think back to the two views discussed in the video. The Gymnosophist said, “I’m experiencing nothingness.” Alexander said, “I’m conquering the world.”

• What is one benefit humans can take away from each view?

• Having grown up in the Greek culture, with stories about heroes such as Achilles, Theseus, and Jason, Alexander had only one lifetime to achieve all glory. In the eastern cultures nothing lasts forever, not even death. To them life is an endless chain of reincarnations until “you get the point of it all”. Two different ways - which is the right one?