Name: _____________________________________________________
English 9H
Date: ___________________________________ Period: ___________
What Makes a Hero?
ESSAY Assignment
Odysseus makes mistakes, succumbs to temptation, and loses every single one of his men. He does
not seem to fit the description of a modern hero.
Assignment
Compare and contrast Odysseus with a modern hero (Batman, Superman, or a real person).
Explain how the differing societal values have dictated the development of heroes in each society,
ancient Greek and modern day American. What did they value? What do we value? How do you
define our culture’s definition of a hero? Which modern day person/character best illustrates the
traits of a contemporary hero?
Details
Format: MLA
Your paper must be 800 words in length (about 3 pages).
Your paper must include a Works Cited page and a minimum of 3 quotations
Content
Introduction
-Your essay should begin citing the literary work (the Odyssey) and its author (Homer).
You must also include the modern day hero you intend to discuss, and what source you will
be citing (a movie? A comic book? An historical figure?)
- Define both a Greek epic hero and a modern day hero. Explain how modern day
perceptions of a hero are different than in ancient times.
- Indicate what heroic traits you will examine for both heroes- Your introduction should
narrow to a thesis statement comparing the two heroes. (Odysseus and .... reveal unique
heroic qualities of their times.)
Body Paragraphs
- Your body paragraphs will focus on two issues: (A) how Odysseus demonstrates the
qualities of a Greek hero, and (B) how (insert the name of your hero of choice) demonstrates
the qualities of a modern hero.
- Organize body paragraphs using either the all A then all B method (all the paragraphs
about Odysseus and then all the paragraphs about a modern hero), or by the ABAB…
method (paragraph about Odysseus and the modern hero, paragraph about Odysseus and
the modern hero, etc.). You will need to use transitions both in and between paragraphs to
make logical connections that relate your ideas.
Name: _____________________________________________________
English 9H
Date: ___________________________________ Period: ___________
Conclusion- At the end of your essay, explain how the different values of each society,
ancient Greek and modern American, have shaped each culture’s definition of a hero.
Example: Odysseus boasts about his accomplishments, a quality that his society
would have admired, whereas Superman has an alias so that he can avoid people
knowing about his powers because modern day Americans think one should wait
for others to acknowledge his deeds instead of bragging about them himself.
Works Cited - Your final draft will include a works cited page, indicating the sources you used; in
this case, the Holt Literature and Language Arts text book, as well as any other sources for your
modern hero. Example: If you used Batman in The Dark Knight, you will need to cite the film.
Quotations
Your paper must include a minimum of 3 quotations, integrated according to MLA standards (we
will go over these in class). You may have no more than 1 quotation per paragraph.
Due Dates
Assignment
Brainstorm In-Class
Bring A Pocket Style Manual to class
Introduction – peer edit
Body Paragraphs – peer edit
(don’t forget quotations)
Conclusion – self edit
Final Draft Due (in class and turnitin.com)
A Day