The Ancient Hero

1. The Ancient Hero

2. Common Characteristics • Each Greek hero: • is born of one divine parent or is at least helped by a deity during his quest. • is sent on a seemingly impossible quest. • is hindered by a deity and/or terrible monster(s) during his quest. • escapes certain death to live a happy life, usually with his new bride. • is mythical, as signaled by the interference of gods and monsters during each quest.

5. Other Examples of Heroes?

6. The Ultimate Hero • 􀂄 Son of a divine father and mortal mother • 􀂄 Leaves his father to save the world • 􀂄 Begins his mission with initiation • 􀂄 Continues with “tests” offered by a shadowy enemy • 􀂄 Heals, banishes evil forces, establishes customs and laws • 􀂄 Dies • 􀂄 Through his death purifies all people from evil • 􀂄 Returns from the Underworld, overcoming death • 􀂄 Returns to his father

7. Standard Path of the Hero: Separation, Initiation, Return • Separation: a hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of “supernatural wonder” • Initiation: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won • Return: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow men • e.g. Prometheus ascended to the heavens, stole fire from the gods, and descended

8. Separation or DeparturePossible steps—not all hero myths reflect all of these elements • 􀂄 1) “The Call to Adventure” • 􀂉 The signs of the vocation of the hero • 􀂉 Cf. Isaiah 6, 1 Nephi 1 • 􀂄 2) “Refusal of the Call” • 􀂉 The folly of the flight from the god • 􀂉 Cf. Jonah • 􀂄 3) “Supernatural Aid” • 􀂉 The unsuspected assistance that comes, sometimes in the form • of a magical device or ability, sometimes from direct intervention • 􀂉 In later myth, Athena was the regular patroness of heroes • 􀂄 4) “The Crossing of the First Threshold” • 􀂄 5) “The Belly of the Whale” • 􀂉 The passage into the realm of night: the hero was must risk death • or imprisonment