Title: Epics and the Epic Hero
1Epics and the Epic Hero
- A WebQuest
- English 10Davidson
2Objectives of this quest
- Through your participation in this quest, you
will be working towards accomplishing the
following objectives (or learning targets) - Identify and apply knowledge of the epic hero
characteristics and of an epic - Identify and apply understanding of archetypes in
literature - Work collaboratively in a group towards meeting a
common goal - Work towards answering our Big Idea Question
What makes someone a hero?
3Webquest Introduction
- There are many epic heroes in literature. In
this WebQuest, you will be preparing to read
Beowulf and working with material to help build
your knowledge base for this epic poem, and about
epic heroes. The main objective of this quest is
for you to be able to identify the
characteristics of an epic and epic hero. You
will also become acquainted with some literary
scholars views on archetypes and Joseph
Campbells work on The Hero's Journey.
4Beowulf Background
- First, before you dig into epic heroes, begin by
searching out some answers to the following
questions specifically about Beowulf - 1. What language was Beowulf written in?
- 2. Is the hero Beowulf British, Scandinavian,
or Danish? - 3. How many copies of the Beowulf manuscript
still exists? - 4. Who is the author of Beowulf?
- 5. T or F Beowulf is the oldest surviving
epic in British history? - (http//www.lnstar.com/literature/beowulf/)
5Webquest Tasks
- 1. Define "epic," and identify examples of epics
from - at least three different countries.2. Find a
valid, accurate definition and description of
the epic hero and his characteristics.3.
Research and define archetype and explain how
an epic hero fits this mold. 4. Identify at
least five epic heroes from literature. 5.
Research Joseph Campbell's ideas and descriptions
on The - Hero's Journey and note key aspects of his
analysis (i.e. the steps in the Heros Journey
as outlined). - Prepare a PowerPoint slideshow that reports out
your team - findings to tasks 1-5. Include images of
classic and/or modern epics and epic heroes you
read about.
6The Tasks Contd
7. Select a hero you researched/discovered above
and include in your PowerPoint from Task 6, a
slide or two that shows how your hero fits the
definition of an epic hero (based on your
definition and characteristics findings). 8.
Include in your slide(s) a chart showing how your
hero follows his journey (based on Campbells
analysis). 9. Each team member also needs to
providetheir own response to the question
What makes someone a hero? based on team
research, and make a prediction about your
reading of the epic hero Beowulf. What do you
expect Beowulf to accomplish? What sort of
journey do you believe he experienced? Include
your responses in your slides with names
following. (i.e. Beowulf will become immortal.
K. Davidson)
7The process
- Within your team, divide up tasks 1-5 to
complete, then come back together to synthesize
your findings into one team PowerPoint to
complete tasks 6-8. - Task 9, each team member needs to prepare
responses for and type into the PowerPoint. - The team PowerPoint needs to be saved in Mrs.
Davidsons shared folder for your block, and you
need to include ALL team members names, as well
as your team name. - The shared folder name and location for saving
your PowerPoint will be provided in class. - All slideshows will be viewed and shared with the
whole class, either in class directly or via a
post on Mrs. Davidsons Vision and Faculty
website. - Please make sure your presentation is neat,
clean, easy on the eyes and not too overpowering
in colors and graphics.
8Suggested Links
- Below is a list of suggested links to help get
you started, but you will also need to do some
searching out on your own, and work with reliable
websites. The Librarians will be sharing with
you tips, tools and advice on how to accomplish
this AND you have to complete ONE Website
Evaluation Form. This will be submitted in hard
copy. - Epic Hero/Epic/Archetypes
- http//dictionary.reference.com/browse/epichero
- http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype
- http//www.slideshare.net/esalona/elements-of-the-
epic-epic-hero-6051693 - http//www.sblair.com/odyssey/epics.htm
- The Heros Journey, Joseph Campbell
- http//www.yourheroicjourney.com/the-heros-journey
/ - http//hubcap.clemson.edu/sparks/sffilm/mmswtab.h
tml - http//rootsofaction.com/blog/role-of-heroes-for-c
hildren/ - http//www.thewritersjourney.com/hero's_journey.ht
m