When you think of a hero what comes to mind? Is it an everyday person with an extraordinary quality or ability? Or, does your mind race to someone who has beyond-human skills or powers? Either way, you are thinking about a hero! In this article, we will explore classical heroes and superheroes.
Who are classical heroes? Who are superheroes? How can I tell them apart? Teaching students this literary device and asking them to think deeply about the hero's attributes, and how they affect the work as a whole, will instill a deeper understanding of many literary works.
Classical heroes are otherwise normal people, except they have a great talent. They often possess an attribute or quality that distinguishes them from ordinary people, making them a hero. Sometimes this is great skill, but other times it is a quality of character, like courage. It's important to remember that classical heroes possess something others do not have, but are otherwise equal in their worlds. Examples of heroes are: Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, Atticus Finch, Ponyboy, Rikki-tikki-tavi, or King Arthur.
Superheroes can start out as classical or even everyday heroes. Somewhere along the way, they acquire power that makes them "super". However, most superheroes are born with beyond-human qualities. Well-known examples of superheroes would be Superman, Spiderman, or Wonder Woman.
To learn more about other hero types, take a look at our article on "Types of Heroes".
| Humble Upbringing | These heroes could have been orphaned, or are poor, and through their humble or modest upbringings, they learned how to face adversity. |
|---|---|
| A Greatness Foreshadowed | For sometime before the hero in them emerged, people foreshadowed this character's greatness. |
| Strong Ability or Attribute | Classical heroes mostly have the same abilities as everyone else. However, they are just a bit better at certain things than their counterparts. |
| Emotional Quest | This hero typically has some emotional issues that must overcome. These may be related to his quest. |
| Battle of Pride | Often the major battle comes just as the hero is sorting out his issues and overcoming his pride. |
| Death | If the hero dies, it's because he was sacrificing himself for the greater good, or because he was betrayed. |
Although this lesson can be used for multiple grade levels, below are examples of the Common Core standards for Grades 9-10. Please see your Common Core standards for other grade-appropriate standards.
Before starting this lesson students should be able to list various heroes from multiple genres.
After the lesson, students will be able to define a classical hero; list various types of heroes from works of literature, film, and television; and take away the effects of hero on plot.
Some students will have prior knowledge and may know the definition of a hero or confuse the everyday hero with a classical hero.
Students will be given the worksheet on the various types of heroes and will be instructed to fill in the boxes to the best of their ability. Do not give students the definition of each type yet, just ask them to list heroes and try to categorize them without your assistance. If students cannot fill in a particular part, then instruct them that they may leave it blank. After 5-10 minutes, ask students to compare lists with someone sitting near them. Then, ask each pair to say one type of hero out loud and complete a master list on the board.
After students have categorized each type of hero, ask them to come up with their definition for each type, based on the heroes listed in that column. Once the students have shared each definition with the class, give them the textbook definitions and see how close they were!
After students have come up with their definition and characteristics, ask students to fill out and keep track of the attributes that make the protagonist of your work a classical hero by writing the answers on: "Six Typical Characteristic of a Classical Hero Worksheet".
Reinforce this lesson by asking students to complete their storyboard showing the hero and their attributes. Make sure they are using a scene and quote from the text as evidence. This lesson extension, coupled with a slide show presentation, will help students master the concept of heroes.
Check out these classical hero activities from our guides on The Outsiders, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Freak the Mighty.
Start by introducing students to the themes and characteristics of classical heroes. Discuss traits like bravery, resilience, perseverance, and selflessness. Use examples from mythology, literature, or history to illustrate these themes.
Guide students to reflect on their own personal values, strengths, and goals. Have them think about what is important to them and what they aspire to achieve. Encourage self-reflection and introspection.
Help students identify personal challenges or obstacles they have faced or may encounter in the future. Encourage them to think about situations where they need to demonstrate qualities similar to classical heroes. Discuss the importance of facing challenges and growing from them.
Guide students in connecting the themes of classical heroes to their personal growth. Encourage them to identify how qualities like courage, determination, or compassion can help them overcome challenges and achieve personal goals. Discuss how these themes can be applied to their everyday lives.
Support students in setting goals that align with their personal growth and values. Have them develop action plans that outline steps they can take to embody classical hero traits and overcome their identified challenges. Encourage them to think about specific actions, behaviors, or habits they can adopt.
Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their progress and evaluate their growth. Have regular check-ins where students can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. Encourage them to identify areas where they have demonstrated classical hero themes and areas for further growth.
A classical hero is a brave, selfless, and determined character who faces challenges and obstacles to achieve a greater goal or quest. They often have special abilities or powers and are aided by supernatural or divine forces. Classical heroes are important in storytelling because they create exciting and relatable characters, and they help convey important themes and messages.
The idea of what makes a hero has changed over time, reflecting different cultures and values. In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, classical heroes were often men with exceptional physical and intellectual abilities, who performed heroic deeds to gain fame, honor, and glory. Nowadays, the idea of the hero is more complex and can include a variety of characters with different strengths and weaknesses.
While the classical hero archetype has been popular in literature and storytelling, some critics argue that it can be limited and exclude diverse perspectives and experiences. For instance, the hero's journey structure has been criticized for its gendered and heteronormative assumptions, as well as its exclusion of non-Western cultural traditions and narratives. Despite these limitations, the classical hero archetype remains an important literary trope and a valuable tool for engaging students in critical thinking and analysis.
