Character Types and Traits of an Epic Hero

Elements of Character

​

Character Types

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​

• ​Confidante

• Dynamic Character

• Static Character

• Antagonist

• Protagonist

• Round Character

• Flat Character

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​Types of Characters

​

Poll

Which character types are you most familiar with?

• Confidante

• Dynamic character and Static character

• Antagonist and Protagonist

• Round character Flat character

Protagonist ​

• ​Every story has a protagonist, the main character, who creates the action of the plot and engages readers, arousing their empathy and interest. 

• The protagonist is often a hero or heroine of the story, as the whole plot moves around him or her.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Antagonist ​

• An antagonist is a opponent of the protagonist or the main character. 

• The action in the story arises from a conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist. 

• The antagonist can be a person, an inanimate object, an animal, or nature itself.

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

Antagonist is the main character

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Protagonist is just the hero in the story

• True

• False

Confidante​

• A confidante is someone in whom the main character confides. 

• He reveals the central character’s thoughts, intentions, and personality traits.

• An animal can also be a confidante.

• However, a confidante need not necessarily be a person. ​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Dynamic ​

• A dynamic character changes during the course of a novel or a story. 

• This change in character or his/her outlook is permanent. 

• That is why sometimes a dynamic character is also called a “developing character.”​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Static

• A static character remains the same throughout the whole story.

• Even the events in a story or novel do not change character’s outlook, perceptions, habits, personality, or motivations.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Round character

• The round characters are well-developed and complex figures in a story.

• They are more realistic, and demonstrate more depth in their personalities.

• They can make surprising or puzzling decisions, and attract readers’ attention.

• There are many factors that may affect them, and round characters react to such factors realistically.​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

​Flat Character

• A flat character does not change during a story.

• Also, he or she usually only reveals one or two personality traits.

• One dimensional

• We don't know much about this character and they don't really affect the outcome of the story​

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Traits of an Epic Hero

By Nicole Luck

Most epic heroes possess most or all of 7 general characteristics you can use to help you decide if a character is, indeed, an epic hero or heroine​

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​Epic Hero

​

 Most epic heroes will have an above average station in life.  They will be kings, princes, or nobles of some sort.  Commoners usually do no become epic heroes.​

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​Trait 1: A Noble Birth

​

​

• ​Basically, this means the hero has the potential for great deeds. 

• The magnitude of these actions are well above and beyond what the commoner does. 

• While most epic heroes are good, not all are.

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​Trait 2: Capable of deeds of great strength and courage

Replace this with your body text.

​Duplicate this text as many times as you would like.

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Trait 3: Great Warrior​

​

• Simply put, you cannot be an epic hero if you stay in your village your whole life. 

• The more countries or areas traveled to, the better. The farther away from your own country, the better. 

• Distance makes the hero’s actions greater because they aren’t selfish; they are for another country or people.

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Trait 4: Travels Over a Vast Setting​

​

• ​Before a hero can be celebrated by countries the world over, he must first be recognized in his home country as a great and heroic person.

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Trait 5: National Heroism​

​

• Even as the rest of the world recognizes the great deeds of the hero, he is never a braggart or even willing to take applause.

• He commits his deeds because he knows they need doing, and the fame and rewards that he receives are only a matter of course, not the reason for completing his quests.

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Trait 6: Humility​

​

• Most epic heroes either receive aid from a god or goddess or battle some superhuman enemy.

• This is what makes a hero’s action epic: they fight something mere mortals cannot battle. Beowulf has his Grendel; Odysseus his Cyclops.

• For each hero, the enemy is unique. You won’t see two heroes battling the same foe.​

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

Trait 7: Faces Supernatural Foes and/or Receives Supernatural Help​

​

• Many epic heroes have a "flaw" or something about their character that can hold them back or hinder their journey.

• Pride, Jealousy, Greed, Arrogance, etc.

​

​Some text here about the topic of discussion.

​BONUS TRAIT!

Flaw​

Multiple Choice

 

The epic hero is often born into...

• poverty

• power

• chaos

• an ordinary world

Multiple Select

Epic heroes are often capable of great abilities, such as...(click 2)

• strength

• invisibility

• flying

• intelligence

Multiple Choice

. 

You cannot have an epic hero without an epic...

• loss

• titan

• journey

• rest

Multiple Choice

 

An epic hero is also a _______ hero, known well by their own community.

• local

• foreign

• kingdom

• small

Multiple Choice

_______ is often an epic hero's greatest character flaw, and they must learn _______ during their journey.

• Impatience, patience

• Selfishness, selflessness

• Anger, peace

• Pride, humility

Multiple Select

 

Epic heroes often have supernatural friends and foes, including...

• Monsters

• Gods/Goddesses

• Sorcerers/Magical Beings

• Ghosts/Undead