The Epic and the Epic Hero

An epic hero is praised and admired by many for his deeds, but he is not recognized by his own countrymen.

• True

• False

An epic hero usually comes from a royal or noble family.

• True

• False

An epic hero travels over a vast setting, offering his services as a warrior to other communities and societies.

• True

• False

An epic hero possesses such great strength and courage that he receives no assistance from anyone, mortal or otherwise, during battle.

• True

• False

The ____ or hero's journey is a story template that Joseph Campbell identified after having studied the world's myths.

Which of the following is not one of the three basic stages of the hero's journey?

• Departure

• Initiation

• Redemption

• Return

Traditionally, epics center on a figure whose actions influence or even determine the fate of a kingdom or nation.

• True

• False

The heroes of epics are men who represent the values that their civilization holds in esteem.

• True

• False

Epics use epithets, which are lengthy, ornate comparisons of two tihings.

• True

• False

Epics open in medias res or in the middle of the action, and we learn of past events through flashbacks.

• True

• False