Name: Date:

What Makes a
Hero?

We are about to start reading The Odyssey, an Ancient Greek epic poem centering around the perilous adventures of a
Greek hero named Odysseus. There are some very specific qualities demonstrated by Odysseus throughout the poem
that make him a classic Greek hero. What does being a hero mean to you personally and to our society today? Answer
the questions below as a pre-reading activity to get us thinking about the modern qualities of a hero.

1. Brainstorm 2. Draw
What words/qualities/adjectives/traits do we
associate with being a hero today? List below:
Illustrate the first image that comes to
mind when you hear the word “hero”:

3. Definition
In your own words, attempt to define what a hero is. DO NOT look at or copy from the dictionary!
 4. Examples
Who do you personally consider to be heroic? What groups/people does society consider to be heroes?

Your Personal Heroes: Society’s View of Heroes:

5. Personal Connection
Who do you personally consider to be a hero in your life and why? Who do you look up to? Pick one person or a specific group
of people and explain why you consider them to be heroic or fit the definition of a hero.
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6. Food for Thought 7. Real World Connection

Why do you think we as a society enjoy telling/hearing
stories about heroes? What is so compelling about the
journey of a hero? Think about any folk/fairy tales, movies,
comics, TV shows, etc.
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Search/Look up a RECENT news article (from the last year)
where the title or headline includes the word “hero”. Please
read the article and then briefly summarize your article
below. Explain how/why this event displays/proves/shows
the modern definition of a hero.
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