Original epic poem modeled after Beowulf
Epic Poetry: An epic poem is a long narrative poem that deals with the adventures of a
hero. Most epics possess some or all of the following characteristics:
1. The hero is of high social status and of legendary importance.
2. The actions of the hero determine the fate of a nation or group.
3. The hero performs exceedingly courageous, sometimes superhuman deeds.
4. The plot is complicated by supernatural beings and events.
5. The setting is large in scale and often includes danger.
6. The poem incorporates universal ideas, such as good and evil.
Your goal is to create a four part epic poem that parallels Beowulf. You must create some
sort of modern monster who is wreaking havoc on the world (or part of the world) and the
hero who fights against that monster. You must also include poetic qualities in your
writing, as well as universal ideas of good vs. evil. Your poem must have these four parts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Describe
Describe
Describe
Describe
the
the
the
the
foe, including the evil he/she is doing.
qualities and previous great deeds of the hero.
battle.
outcome and how the world has changed because of the hero.
Step One: Write the story as a narrative.
Step Two: Add poetic qualities. You must have at least three poetic qualities (simile,
metaphor, rhyme, hyperbole, personification, alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia) in
each section AND two kennings in each section. Please highlight or underline in the
document and label which poetic quality it is.
RUBRIC
Did you include the four parts of the poem?
Description of the foe
/10
Description of the hero
/10
Description of the battle
/15
Description of the outcome
/10
Did you clearly explain the struggle between good and evil?
/10
Did you include three poetic qualities in each section?
/12
Did you include two kennings in each section?
/8
Did you edit the poem? Were there a lot of errors?
/5
TOTAL
/70