Clark 2014
Characteristics of an Epic Hero
In addition to following the Monomyth, many (but not all) epic heroes have these
qualities:
 The Epic Hero is larger than life and embodies the values of particular
society
 An epic hero is superhuman. His braver, stronger, smarter and cleverer than
an ordinary man
 The hero’s parents are noble or special in some way; often one or both is
especially virtuous
o The Hero is reputed to be the son of a god
 The circumstances of the Hero’s birth are unusual
o At the birth of the Hero there is often an attempt to kill him. He may
be kidnapped or sent away for his protection
 The Hero is often reared by foster parents in a distant land; The Hero is told
nothing of his childhood
 When the Hero reaches manhood, he leaves the country where he grew up,
often returning to the kingdom of his birth
 The Hero becomes king or ruler near the end of his story
 The epic hero is on a quest for something of great value to him or to his
people (See: Monomyth)
 The antagonists who try to keep the hero from his quest are usually uglier,
more evil, and more cunning than anyone we know in ordinary life. Note
that good vs. evil is often a very clear distinction in these stories.
 The divine world interferes with the human world. Gods/Goddesses play
some role, sometimes directly contacting the human characters, or
sometimes intervening indirectly from the heavens.