Odyssey Assignments Directions: Choose one of the projects below (either the creative project or analytical essay). Creative Project: 1. Express you understanding of the Odyssey in a drawing, painting, or sculpture depicting one of the following: a. Epic Literary Device (40 pts) i. one epithet ii. one Homeric simile iii. one scene (plot element) b. The art piece or pieces should be accompanied with a brief explanation (a paragraph or 2) of how you chose to represent the epithet, homeric simile, and what book (scene) you are depicting. (40 pts) c. The epithet and Homeric simile should be included in quotes. (20 pts) *** Must pre-approve the scene you wish to depict with me. 2. Pretend to be a Rhapsody and that you have traveled to the town of SMA. Here you will act out as a storyteller one of the books from the Odyssey (the books will be assigned to you and then you may trade with someone else). Performance should be no longer than 5 minutes and needs to include the following: a. Epic Literary Device (45 pts) i. one epithet ii. one Homeric simile b. a section that is improvised (meaning that it is modified to appeal to SMA students) (15 pts) c. I expect to preview your performance during lunch at least 1 day before you perform it for the class (10 pts) d. You need to turn in the script (whether it be lyrics or monologue, etc.) highlighting the epithet, simile, or improvised section improvised section. (30 pts) For Example: If you are performing a song, you need to have the lyrics printed with the literary device highlighted. 3. You are a travel agent in Greece. Make up posters, advertisements, and/or brochures for a package tour of 3 places visited by Odysseus (Show the relationship between the Ancient names of places to where they are believed to be today). Avoid mention of the dangers that may await the visitors, since the idea is to attract tourists. The project should include: a. Epic Literary Device (40 pts) i. one epithet ii. one Homeric simile
b. 3 places (and I should see the connection of each place to the story, but it has to be a real place). Must describe what activities tourists will do at each place. (10 pts per place totaling – 30 pts). c. Aesthetic (beauty) appeal of brochure. Does it look like it was done last minute or does it look professional. (30 pts) 4) Write a short story that includes Odysseus and one other character from the Odyssey. The short story should show the characteristics of Odysseus. For example, perhaps you write about Odysseus as a seventeen year old child trying to sneak out of the house to go see Penelope. Short story needs to include: a. Epic Literary Device (30 pts) – device needs to be highlighted i. one epithet ii. one Homeric simile b. Characters need to show traits that are consistent with the way they are depicted in the story. (30 pts) c. Story should contain conflict (30 pts) d. Overall quality of the storytelling and presentation. (10 pts)
Formal Essay: 1) Write a compare and contrast paper in which you compare the Hero, Odysseus to a modern epic hero. In doing so, discuss the traits that they share and how they are different. 2) Write a character analysis of one of the main characters in the Odyssey. It should include an explanation of his or her traits and how he or she changes throughout the epic. Choose a dynamic character. Quality papers are organized, show evidence, and display critical thinking. ***Check out essay writing rubric for this paper.
All written aspects of this assignment
Must Be Typed
Odyssey Analytical Essay Rubric For Compare Contrast: Category
Points
1) Brainstorm
25 pts.
2) Outline
25 pts.
3) 1 paragraph discussing a similarity and difference. Para should be focused and similarity and differences should be related. This relates to 1st subtopic or characteristic of hero. 4) 2nd paragraph discussing a similarity and difference. Para should be focused and similarity and differences should be related. This relates to 2nd subtopic or characteristic of hero. 5) Conclusion Paragraph – This should discuss the relevance of the comparisons and contrasting points. 6) Mechanics (grammar)
10 pts. 10 pts. 10 pts. 10 pts.
7) Heading is done properly
5 pts.
8) Full Justification
5 pts. 100 pts.
Total:
For Character Analysis: Category
Points
1) Brainstorm
25 pts.
2) Outline
25 pts.
3) 1 paragraph discussing 2 – 3 traits. Para should contain evidence to support the conclusions you make. 4) 2nd paragraph discussing character development. How did the character change throughout the story? 5) Conclusion Paragraph – This should discuss the importance of the change in the character and when the reader can learn from that change. 6) Mechanics (grammar)
10 pts. 10 pts. 10 pts. 10 pts.
7) Heading is done properly
5 pts.
8) Full Justification
5 pts. 100 pts.
Total: