Epics and the Epic Hero

1. Epics and the Epic Hero A WebQuest English 10Davidson

2. Objectives 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?

3. Webquest: 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 Campbell’s work on The Hero's Journey.

4. Beowulf 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? Check here: http://www.lnstar.com/literature/beowulf/

5. Webquest Tasks: • 1.  Define "epic," and identify three examples of epics. • 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 the key aspects of the Hero’s Journey (the steps a Hero follows). • 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.  

6. The Tasks Cont’d: 7.  Select a hero you researched/discovered above (i.e. Harry Potter) and include in your PowerPoint from Task 6, a slide or two that shows how your hero fits the definition of an epic hero (label or define out on the slide, based on your definition and characteristics findings). 8.  Include in your slide(s) a chart showing how your hero follows his journey (based on Campbell’s analysis).

7. The 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. • The team PowerPoint needs to be saved in Mrs. Davidson’s 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. Davidson’s Vision and Faculty website. • Please make sure your presentation is neat, clean, easy on the eyes and not too overpowering in colors and graphics.

8. Suggested 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/epic+hero • 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 Hero’s Journey”, Joseph Campbell: http://www.yourheroicjourney.com/the-heros-journey/ http://hubcap.clemson.edu/~sparks/sffilm/mmswtab.html http://rootsofaction.com/blog/role-of-heroes-for-children/ http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero's_journey.htm