Example student-written questions:
What is the warrior code that informs Beowulf ? Explain the code through the actions and speech of Beowulf, Wiglaf, and Unferth.
How is the Englishman a foil for Santiago?
Compare and contrast the motivations of each of the heroes (Beowulf, Siddhartha, and
Santiago).
Compare and contrast Beowulf and Odysseus.
Explain the treasure that each of the characters finds on his journey.
One element to the hero’s journey is that he/she is tested. How is each hero tested?
Explore the lessons that Siddhartha learns from Vasudeva.
What is the relationship between OM and the inner-voice?
How does the notion of the Soul of the World in The Alchemist relate to the idea of the
Self in Siddhartha ?
Compare and contrast Beowulf and Unferth.
Revenge is a key element in Beowulf. Compare the use of revenge by Grendel and
Beowulf.
The idea of “heroic death” is clear in Beowulf. What would a heroic death be for
Siddhartha and Santiago?
The idea of love is an important theme in both The Alchemist and Siddhartha. What is the role of love in the journeys of Siddhartha and Santiago? Does love influence
Beowulf’s journey? If not, what is his equivalent emotion?
What is the role of fate in Beowulf? How does it relate to the idea of maktub?
Trace the 7 elements of the hero’s cycle in an essay focused on one of the hero’s we read.
What is your idea of a hero? Use examples from each of the three stories to support your criteria.