mythic hero
Legendary quest figure
A mythic hero is a figure from mythology or legend who embodies extraordinary qualities—strength, courage, wisdom—and undertakes great quests or trials.
The term extends to real or fictional characters who seem larger than life: Kennedy became a mythic hero to a generation of Democrats.
The mythic hero follows recognizable patterns across cultures: supernatural birth, a call to adventure, descent into darkness, triumphant return.
- warriorOne skilled in combat
- noble birthAristocratic family lineage
- courageFortitude facing danger
- tricksterCunning deceiver in myth
- epicImpressively grand in scope
folk tale · ancient Greece · demigod · quest · trials and tribulations · honor · Joseph Campbell · archetype · apotheosis · sacrifice · transformation · eternal struggle · redemption · monomyth · divine intervention · moral lessons · resilience · tragic flaw
- heroesheroes, heroine, heroines, superhero, superheroes
- Classical MythologyZeus, Apollo, Venus, Athena, Aphrodite
- myth & legendquest, dragon slaying, treasure hunt, epic voyage, magic sword
- protagonistsprotagonist, heroine, main character, lead role, leading man
- divine descentdemigod, divine birth, divine lineage, godhood, divine spark
- Mythological ArtBirth of Venus, Judgment of Paris, Venus, Apollo, Aphrodite
mythic herolegendary monster
Fabled terrifying beast
dark lord · archdemon · antagonist · antihero · fallen angel
mythic heronobody
Inconsequential person
common man · everyman · minor character · average person · mere mortal