ENGL 2110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Sigurd, Narrative Poetry
Document Summary
The hero is of imposing stature, of national or international importance, and of great historical or legendary significance. The setting is vast, covering great nations, the world, or the universe. The action consists of deeds of great valor or requires superhuman courage. Supernatural forces-gods, angels, demons- interest themselves in the action. A style of sustained elevation is used. The poet retains a measure of objectivity. Joe campbell"s monomyth (hero with a thousand faces): the standard path of the mythological adventure of the hero is a magnification of the formula represented in the rites of passage: Separation- initiation- return: which might be named the nuclear unit of the monomyth. Birth: fabulous circumstances surrounding conception, birth, and childhood establish the hero"s pedigree, and often constitute their own monomyth cycle. Call to adventure: the hero is called to adventure by some external event or messenger. Hero may accept the call willingly or reluctantly.
