LESSON PLAN
W H AT M A K E S A H E R O ? by Mr. Jacob Feeley, Central High School
GRADES
High School
INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
Sample Chart
1. for students to understand the ancient Greek conception of the tragic hero
Contemporary Hero
Oedipus
brave
brave
2. for students to learn about how the ancient Greeks understood what it means to be human.
clever
impulsive
honest
arrogant/hubristic
generous
courageous
selfless
generous
I N S T R U C T I O N A L S T R AT E G I E S / AC T I V I T I E S 1. Have each student name someone they would consider to be a hero. Then compile a list of traits that the students associate with their heroes and put the list on the board. 2. Have the students read the essay, “What Makes a Hero? Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. 3. Have students compare and contrast their conceptions of what a hero is with the ancient Greek view. This could be done by having students create a chart with two columns. In one column, they can put the qualities which they associate with their conception of a hero. In the other column, they can put the qualities that belong to Oedipus, as he is depicted in the play. Once the students complete their chart, they can highlight the qualities which are distinctive to the Greek conception of the hero. Students can work in small groups to create their chart. When the students complete their charts, the teacher can draw a large chart on the board and solicit contributions from each group; they should fill in the chart and highlight the qualities that are particular to the Greek idea of the hero. The teacher can then lead a discussion on why the Greek conception of a hero differs from the contemporary one. They can then ask their students to reflect on what the Greek idea of the hero says about the Greeks’ understanding of what it meant to be human.
*In this case, the class can discuss the qualities of impulsiveness and arrogance that belong to the hero of Oedipus Rex, but which don’t appear among the qualities of the students’ heroes. 4. Lead a discussion with the students about the differences between their ideas of a hero and the ancient Greek idea. Ask the students to make sense of the differences. What does the Greeks’ concept of the hero say about the Greeks’ understanding of what it means to be human? How does it reflect the Greeks’ view of the role of the individual in society? How do the students’ views on heroism reflect their understanding of what it means to be a human and the role of the individual in our society?
R E S O U R C E S / M AT E R I A L S Article What Makes a Hero? Oedipus the Hero in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex Student Guide operaphila.org/learnoedipusrex