Characteristics of an Epic & its Hero Characteristics of an Epic The Odyssey The hero is important and glorified. Odysseus is a king and a respected chieftain. On a quest or long and dangerous journey: During this time the hero shows his strength and cunning. The Odyssey describes Odysseus’ ten-year journey. The setting of an epic is large in scale. Odysseus wanders the entire Mediterranean area and even visits the underworld. Supernatural beings and events play a role in epic affairs. The gods and goddesses of Greek mythology are key characters in The Odyssey. The style of an epic is formal and grand. This style fits the importance of its subject. Some of the translation that we will read preserves the poetic structure of the ancient Greek. The action of an epic starts in medias res, “in the middle of things,” rather than at the true beginning of the story. The Odyssey begins when Odysseus is nearly home. Traits of an Epic Hero
4. The presence of numerous mythical beings, magical and helpful animals, and human helpers and companions. 5. The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering. 6. The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated. 7. A resurrection. 8. Restitution: Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne THE MODERN-DAY EPIC HERO CYCLE The Epic Hero Cycle, while an ancient concept, continues in literature, both written and visual, today. The following is a list of epic hero films that follow the epic hero cycle. This is by no means an all encompassing list, so if you come up with another film title that you want to use, please see me. Aliens Series* Avatar Brave Braveheart* The Dark Knight Trilogy Finding Nemo Forrest Gump Gladiator* Harry Potter Series The Hunger Games Indiana Jones Series Ironman Trilogy The Lion King
helpers and companions. 5. The hero’s travels take him to a supernatural world, often one that normal human beings are barred from entering. 6. The cycle must reach a low point where the hero nearly gives up his quest or appears defeated. 7. A resurrection. 8. Restitution: Often this takes the form of the hero regaining his rightful place on the throne Name__________________________________ Date______________________ Pd______ THE MODERN-DAY EPIC HERO CYCLE SPEECH CONTENT KNOWLEDGE Distinguished (5) Proficient (3) Basic (1) Below Basic (0) Focus/Content Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of topic. Sophisticated analysis; develops ideas with supporting details that are specific. Makes no omissions or errors. Demonstrates proficient knowledge of topic. Shows adequate understanding of the topic and explains with detail. Makes few errors or omissions. Demonstrated basic knowledge of topic. Show minimal understanding of the details of the topic. Many errors and/or omissions. Does not demonstrate knowledge of topic. Distinguished (2) Proficient (1) Basic (.5) Below Basic (0) Organization Well organized and thoroughly supports focus. . Organized and moderately supports focus. Organization is limited and/or lacks clarity. Presentation lacks organization.
PRESENTATION SKILLS Distinguished(2) Proficient (1) Basic (.5) Below Basic (0) Presenter Engagement with the Audience Use of direct eye contact for entire presentation. Consistently engages the audience through appropriate levels of emotion throughout. Does not need to rely on notes for prompting Use of direct eye contact most of the time. Engages the audience through appropriate levels of emotion most of the time. Relies on notes for prompting only. Minimal eye contact with audience. Inconsistently engages the audience through appropriate levels of emotion. Often reads from notes. No eye contact. Does not engage the audience through appropriate levels of emotion throughout. Entirely read from notes Language/Clarity Advanced use of grammar and vocabulary. All words are pronounced correctly. No use of filler words (like, you know, etc.). Proficient use of grammar and vocabulary. Most words are pronounced correctly. Minimal use of filler words (like, you know, etc.). Basic use of grammar and vocabulary. Seldom are words pronounced correctly. Significant use of filler words (like, you know, etc.). Below basic use of grammar and vocabulary. Distracting use of filler words (like, you know, etc.) Voice/Volume/Rate Always speaks with clarity Volume is at a level where audience can easily hear throughout. Pace is appropriate. Speaks with clarity most of the time. Volume is at a level where audience can hear most of the time. Sometimes speaks with clarity. Volume is inconsistent; audience struggles to hear. Pace is inconsistent. Does not speak clearly or is not easily heard. Speaker is inaudible. Completed Notes Distinguished (2) Proficient (1) Basic Below Basic (0) Completed Notes Notes are complete, accurate and detailed Notes are complete, but not detailed or has inaccuracies Missing or incomplete notes Total_______/15
The Odyssey Vocabulary-30 points Please master the following list of vocabulary on Vocabulary.com. You will get credit for your completion of the list in the form of a quiz grade. Due Date:______________________________________________________________________ Intro / New Coasts / Lotus Eaters epic excerpts hubris formidable guile / cunning gale wail Cyclopes foe prodigious rogue appalled ponderous profusion sage breach adversary
reader understanding interfere with reader understanding with reader understanding with reader understanding interfere with reading understanding Demonstrates command of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates command of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates command of sentence formation Demonstrates control of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates control of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates control of sentence formation Demonstrates limited or inconsistent of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates limited or inconsistent of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates limited or inconsistent of sentence formation Demonstrates minimal control of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates minimal control of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates minimal control of sentence formation Demonstrates little or no control of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates little or no control of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates little or no control of sentence formation TOTAL: __________/18
Volume is at a level where audience can easily hear throughout. Pace is appropriate. Volume is at a level where audience can hear most of the time. Volume is inconsistent; audience struggles to hear. Pace is inconsistent. Speaker is inaudible. VISUAL ENHANCEMENT Distinguished (1) Proficient (.75) Basic (.5) Below Basic (0) Visual Enhancement Creatively uses high quality visuals/ media/ technology that clearly supports and enhances the presentation. Uses Visuals/media/ technology that support the presentation. Uses visuals/media/ technology that provides limited support of the presentation. No use of to support the presentation. TOTAL: ____/14
understanding understanding Demonstrates command of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates command of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates command of sentence formation Demonstrates control of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates control of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates control of sentence formation Demonstrates limited or inconsistent of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates limited or inconsistent of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates limited or inconsistent of sentence formation Demonstrates minimal control of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates minimal control of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates minimal control of sentence formation Demonstrates little or no control of standard English grammar and usage Demonstrates little or no control of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling Demonstrates little or no control of sentence formation _______________x 2 = Total ______________/40