Purpose:
Practice discovering the epic themes of the hero and the journey, as
well as a special theme in Greek culture – the arts – by considering a
major epic, the Odyssey. This discussion should build your
critical reading and analysis skills, as well as help prepare you for
your essays later in the course. Keep in mind that, your central
concern is to understand what the evidence about these epic themes
reveals about the relationship between the epic heroes and their own
cultures as well as the relationship between epic heroes and heroic
elements common to human society in all times.
Tasks: Use the steps below to write 1-2
full paragraphs connected to the purpose and overarching themes in the
readings for this unit.
Option 3: The hero and his journey: Discuss and
compare the journeys or quests of Odysseus and either Gilgamesh or
Rama. Is there anything in these journeys that reminds you of current
heroes or quests?
Start by deciding which option you would like to write about. Once you have made that decision, then:
Select a relevant passage of your own choosing from the Odyssey
(the lines of poetry, not the summaries). Choose carefully, thinking
about how this passage might speak to overarching themes and the bolded
text in the Purpose, above.
Depending on which option you chose, explain the following:
Option 3: How does your passage illustrate a
conclusion about the meaning of quests or struggles in the journeys of
the two heroes, and how is that significant or important for
understanding heroes’ journeys as viewed within the two cultures or more
generally?
You might want to sketch out your initial thoughts in lists, a concept map, or whatever note format helps you the most.
Structure and revise your initial thoughts into 1-2
robust, well-developed paragraphs, using the passage you have selected
as evidence to support your ideas, and post them in the discussion.
Respond substantively to at least two of your classmates’
posts, explaining why you agree or disagree with them (and you may agree
with some parts and disagree with others). Include other thoughts you
may have about their topic and ideas. Include a quotation to support
each of your responses.
Criteria on which you will be graded:
Your selection of passages to support your argument is thoughtful
Your analysis is specific and original
Your post speaks to your selected theme and the Purpose above.
Your responses to your classmates are respectful and substantive
Your writing is clear and well-organized
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|