Comments on: The Attributes of a Hero http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/ Building Heroes From The Inside Out Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:39:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Sarah http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-14007 Sarah Sun, 04 Oct 2009 15:20:03 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-14007 Thanks for the heroic traites, I have to write a paper that involves beowulf, sir gwain and then a "hero" of our choice. This site helped alot. Thanks for the heroic traites, I have to write a paper that involves beowulf, sir gwain and then a “hero” of our choice. This site helped alot.

]]> By: Matt Langdon http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13884 Matt Langdon Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:07:08 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13884 Thanks Jerry. That's a lot of what I try to inspire in the workshop. My hope is teachers follow up some of the ideas you shared here after I leave. Thanks Jerry. That’s a lot of what I try to inspire in the workshop. My hope is teachers follow up some of the ideas you shared here after I leave.

]]> By: Jerry http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13883 Jerry Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:01:41 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13883 Archetypal hero (be sure to check Joseph Campbell) king or "prince in disguise" young male mortal physically attractive, confident wears symbols that others recognize lives in a utopia to be defended or a dystopia to be restored ventures far from home (journey) names his weapon and/or horse wise and resourceful, often without knowing it abandoned, exiled, or left alone at some point has a teacher, mentor, or advisor faces extraordinary foes or opposition battles beasts, monsters, evil men, or forces of nature contests dark magic or superior brute strength or numbers feels fear remains steadfast grows, matures, or changes during this time saves a society or kingdom rescues a fair maiden returns with riches or glory (or a boon) may not be happy at the end (disillusioned) has followers is a great man, the finest values of the culture never loses his humanity (has flaws) represents good in "good vs. evil" theme femal characters may include an enchantress or temptress and also an idealized heroine other characters are folkloric or stereotyped fire-breathing dragons often involved I'd teach these characteristics to my middle school kids and then we'd evaluate which characteristic did or did not fit a character. Examples included King Arthur, Will Kane in "High Noon," Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, Tom Cruise's character in "Top Gun." It was fun to have them spot the dragons. For example, there's the train in "High Noon," and the jet in "Top Gun." The Eragon series fits this nicely, as does Harry Potter. Watch for the things that don't fit as identifying the character and making the story fresh. Will Kane is NOT young anymore, for example. Mrs. Pollifax breaks many archetypes. There are also many other types of heroes, such as the reluctant hero, the self-sacrificing hero (Prometheus), the ordinary guy (Who, me, Jack Ryan?) as hero. Hope this helps. Archetypal hero (be sure to check Joseph Campbell)

king or “prince in disguise”
young
male
mortal
physically attractive, confident
wears symbols that others recognize
lives in a utopia to be defended or a dystopia to be restored
ventures far from home (journey)
names his weapon and/or horse
wise and resourceful, often without knowing it
abandoned, exiled, or left alone at some point
has a teacher, mentor, or advisor
faces extraordinary foes or opposition
battles beasts, monsters, evil men, or forces of nature
contests dark magic or superior brute strength or numbers
feels fear
remains steadfast
grows, matures, or changes during this time
saves a society or kingdom
rescues a fair maiden
returns with riches or glory (or a boon)
may not be happy at the end (disillusioned)
has followers
is a great man, the finest values of the culture
never loses his humanity (has flaws)
represents good in “good vs. evil” theme
femal characters may include an enchantress or temptress and also an idealized heroine
other characters are folkloric or stereotyped
fire-breathing dragons often involved

I’d teach these characteristics to my middle school kids and then we’d evaluate which characteristic did or did not fit a character. Examples included King Arthur, Will Kane in “High Noon,” Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, Tom Cruise’s character in “Top Gun.”

It was fun to have them spot the dragons. For example, there’s the train in “High Noon,” and the jet in “Top Gun.”

The Eragon series fits this nicely, as does Harry Potter. Watch for the things that don’t fit as identifying the character and making the story fresh. Will Kane is NOT young anymore, for example. Mrs. Pollifax breaks many archetypes.

There are also many other types of heroes, such as the reluctant hero, the self-sacrificing hero (Prometheus), the ordinary guy (Who, me, Jack Ryan?) as hero.

Hope this helps.

]]> By: Matt Langdon http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13797 Matt Langdon Sat, 16 May 2009 19:19:57 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13797 Your last point is so accurate. Thanks for the comment. I agree completely. Your last point is so accurate. Thanks for the comment. I agree completely.

]]> By: Danielle http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13796 Danielle Sat, 16 May 2009 18:42:28 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13796 i think it depends on what kind of hero your looking for. i like to think that a hero is just an ordinary person who thinks of others before themselves. but a hero isn't necessarily just someone who jumps in front of a bus to save a perfect stranger. it's the counsler who noticed the young girl with scars on her wrists and did something about it. it's the teacher who saved the boy from the life of a gang member simply by believing he was capable of more. truth is, we can all be heroes, but most of us choose to do nothing because we think watching is safer than doing something about it. i think it depends on what kind of hero your looking for. i like to think that a hero is just an ordinary person who thinks of others before themselves. but a hero isn’t necessarily just someone who jumps in front of a bus to save a perfect stranger. it’s the counsler who noticed the young girl with scars on her wrists and did something about it. it’s the teacher who saved the boy from the life of a gang member simply by believing he was capable of more. truth is, we can all be heroes, but most of us choose to do nothing because we think watching is safer than doing something about it.

]]> By: Conner http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13379 Conner Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:26:23 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13379 thanks i had to do a paper and your points helped me a lot and it really got me thinking about heroes thanks i had to do a paper and your points helped me a lot and it really got me thinking about heroes

]]> By: Kidsa-Led Book http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13283 Kidsa-Led Book Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:12:01 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13283 I think Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!! I think Jesus rocks!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Matt Langdon http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13171 Matt Langdon Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:42:57 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13171 Thanks for the comment. I'd love to hear what you came up with. Thanks for the comment. I’d love to hear what you came up with.

]]> By: Anonymous http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13170 Anonymous Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:41:13 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-13170 I have to write an essay where I have to pick six heroic traits. Then, I have to compare/contrast to Greek heroes/heroines and explain whether they had the characteristic or not. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! It really helped me create a nice list to choose from. I have to write an essay where I have to pick six heroic traits. Then, I have to compare/contrast to Greek heroes/heroines and explain whether they had the characteristic or not. Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! It really helped me create a nice list to choose from.

]]> By: jon http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-12764 jon Mon, 28 Jan 2008 21:45:34 +0000 http://heroworkshop.wordpress.com/2006/10/24/the-attributes-of-a-hero/#comment-12764 Haha me too!! I had to choose 3 so I chose courageous, persevering, and selfless. Haha me too!!
I had to choose 3 so I chose courageous, persevering, and selfless.

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