Epic HeroesWhat it takes to have an epic story

written about your life

Beautiful Male

• Odysseus was loved by Calypso and Circe due to his beauty.

• Gilgamesh was an

infamous lover.

Superhuman Traits• Strength

– Gilgamesh defeats Humbaba.– Odysseus survives a shipwreck.

• Wit– Odysseus outsmarts the Cyclops.

• Talent– Gilgamesh rules Uruk.– Odysseus rules Ithaca.

Divine or Royal Birth

• Odysseus—Prince of Ithaca

• Gilgamesh—son of goddess and king

Trained Warrior

• Odysseus—celebrated Greek warrior

• Gilgamesh—trained

military leader

Desires of Ordinary Men

• Odysseus—wants to return to his homeland; has extramarital relationships; is arrogant and prideful

• Gilgamesh—wants to

gain immortality

Possesses Traits Admired by his Culture

• Strength

• Intelligence

• Loyalty

• Courage

• Faith

Follows Heroic Code of Honor

• Each culture has its own code of honor by which the hero lives.

• Codes are based on the

traits admired by the culture

or on the traits necessary to

survive in the culture or time period.

Ancient Greek HeroicCode of Honor

• Respect the guest-host relationship

• Respect the rite of burial

• Fight for honor

• Immortalize self through valorous deed