The Notions of Heroism and Hubris in Greek Literature
The Hero & Hubris
One who captures the essence of the
ideal individual of a nation
A brave and noble character, admired
for great achievements or affected by
grand events
I. What is a Hero?
Very intelligent
Experiences a wide range of emotions
Faces and makes complex and difficult decisions
Strives for ar
ê
te
Goal is to achieve kleos
Receives supernatural help
Public approval is crucial to self-esteem
Has super human strength
II. What are the qualities
of a Hero?
Strength, skill, courage, determination
Athletic field and battlefield
Courage
Moral responsibility
III. What is arête
(air-a-tay)
a.
Valued for his strength and skill, courage and
determination
b.
Achieves glory and honor during lifetime
c.
Remembered after his death for the above attributes
(immortality)
d.
Lasting fame places the hero lower than the gods but
higher than the ordinary man
IV. Greek view of a
Hero
Allows us to learn about our own attitudes
Allows us to gain insights into our own goals
Enables us to find the qualities of a hero in ourselves
V. Why do we study the
Hero?
Defined as
excessive or fatal pride.
Hubris often serves as a
flaw
for the
hero, hindering him from achieving
his goals.
Loss of contact with reality and an
overestimation of one's own
competence, accomplishments or
capabilities, especially when the
person exhibiting it is in a position of
power.
Hubris
How can HUBRIS be
dangerous?
Aristotle says:
hero of a tragedy must evoke in the audience a sense
of pity or fear
“the change of fortune presented must not be the
spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to
adversity."
The hero must be virtuous
Pity: person receives undeserved misfortune and fear
comes when the misfortune befalls a man like us
Tragic Hero / Heroine
Misfortune is brought about by:
Misfortune
Weakness
The hero is NOT entirely good
INSTEAD the hero commits an
injury or a great wrong leading to his
misfortune
Must be one who is highly
renowned
and
prosperous
Tragic Hero / Heroine (continued)
Modern Day Hubris
•
In its modern usage, hubris denotes
overconfident pride
and
arrogance
; it is often
associated with a
lack of humility
.
•
An accusation of hubris often implies that suffering or
punishment will follow, similar to the occasional
pairing of hubris and nemesis in the Greek world.
•
The proverb "pride goes before a fall" is thought to
sum up the modern definition of hubris.
HOMEWORK
Due Wednesday
•
Definitions and Choosing the
Right Word – UNIT 1
•
Find a modern example of
HUBRIS
Delve into the essence of heroism and hubris in Greek literature through an exploration of the qualities, virtues, and dangers associated with these concepts. Understand how hubris, defined as excessive pride, often serves as a tragic flaw that hinders heroes from achieving their goals. Unravel the characteristics of a tragic hero as outlined by Aristotle, emphasizing the interplay between pity and fear in the portrayal of these revered figures. Reflect on the enduring significance of studying heroes and the timeless lessons they offer.
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Presentation Transcript
Antigone The Hero & Hubris
I. What is a Hero? One who captures the essence of the ideal individual of a nation A brave and noble character, admired for great achievements or affected by grand events
II. What are the qualities of a Hero? Very intelligent Experiences a wide range of emotions Faces and makes complex and difficult decisions Strives for ar te Goal is to achieve kleos Receives supernatural help Public approval is crucial to self-esteem Has super human strength
III. What is arte (air-a-tay) Strength, skill, courage, determination Athletic field and battlefield Courage Moral responsibility
IV. Greek view of a Hero a. Valued for his strength and skill, courage and determination Achieves glory and honor during lifetime Remembered after his death for the above attributes (immortality) Lasting fame places the hero lower than the gods but higher than the ordinary man b. c. d.
V. Why do we study the Hero? Allows us to learn about our own attitudes Allows us to gain insights into our own goals Enables us to find the qualities of a hero in ourselves
Hubris Defined as excessive or fatal pride. Hubris often serves as a flaw for the hero, hindering him from achieving his goals. Loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence, accomplishments or capabilities, especially when the person exhibiting it is in a position of power.
How can HUBRIS be dangerous?
Tragic Hero / Heroine Aristotle says: hero of a tragedy must evoke in the audience a sense of pity or fear the change of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity." The hero must be virtuous Pity: person receives undeserved misfortune and fear comes when the misfortune befalls a man like us
Tragic Hero / Heroine (continued) Misfortune is brought about by: Misfortune Weakness The hero is NOT entirely good INSTEAD the hero commits an injury or a great wrong leading to his misfortune Must be one who is highly renowned and prosperous
Modern Day Hubris In its modern usage, hubris denotes overconfident pride and arrogance; it is often associated with a lack of humility. An accusation of hubris often implies that suffering or punishment will follow, similar to the occasional pairing of hubris and nemesis in the Greek world. The proverb "pride goes before a fall" is thought to sum up the modern definition of hubris.
HOMEWORK Due Wednesday Definitions and Choosing the Right Word UNIT 1 Find a modern example of HUBRIS
