On_Level
January 1/21 – 1/24
Tuesday, January 21st
Standard 3: Literature - The student will
read, construct meaning, and respond to
a wide variety of literary forms.
Journal Time: Practice
Quiz on Independent &
Dependent Clauses
*****Bring Literature Book
To Class Friday!

I.Notetaking:
I.What is an Epic
II.What are the conventions of an Epic
Begin On-Level PROJECT: The Hero's Journey
in Modern Film
Homework: (This was given out Friday, make
sure it is done by Wednesday).
The Genre of Mythology Wkst
Sentence Structure and Grammar Practice Exercises
Practice 1: Identifying Sentence Structure
For each sentence, identify its structure type.
Underline independent clauses once.
If there are dependent clauses in the sentences, underline them twice.
1. Friendly dogs usually prance around in an attempt to express
their glee, and they also often bark a lot.
2. My dog, who is shy and easily frightened, barks most often
when she meets strangers.
3. Scaredy-cat dogs are often the loudest barkers.
4. Because scaredy-cat dogs are sometimes fearful, they can be
difficult to train.
5. Having a happy, well-behaved dog is one of life's great
pleasures. ANSWERS
Group Epics: Stand in the Corner labeled with the
same picture
Epic Definition

An epic is a long narrative poem that relates the great deeds of a larger-thanlife hero who embodies the values of a particular society.

Sometimes called a heroic poem

Beowulf , Gilgamesh, the Iliad, and the Odyssey are all epics
Epics often…

Concern eternal human problems such as the conflict between GOOD and EVIL

Written or told on a
style
grand scale and often in ceremonial
Epic Characteristics
•
There are 5 main epic
characteristics
Epic Characteristic #1

The hero is a great leader who is
identified strongly with a
particular people or society.
Epic Characteristic #2

The setting is broad and often
includes supernatural realms,
especially the land of the dead.
Epic Characteristic #3

The hero does great deeds in
battle or undertakes an
extraordinary journey or quest.
Epic Characteristic #4

Sometimes gods or other
supernatural or fantastic beings
take part in the action.
Epic Characteristic #5
The story is told in
heightened language

Some other Epic characteristics called…
EPIC CONVENTIONS- Shared
characteristics of epics that bards/scops drew upon to recall
the stories they were recounting and that writers of epics
drew upon to establish the epic quality of their poems.
EPIC CONVENTION #1
is an INVOCATION or
formal plea for aid/help.
This plea is usually to a deity
or some other spiritual power.
There
EPIC CONVENTION
 The
#2
action begins
IN MEDIA RES…
literally
meaning
“in the middle of things”
EPIC CONVENTION

#3
The epic begins in media res and then
flashes back to events that took
place before the narrator’s current time
setting
EPIC CONVENTIONS #4

Epic Similes- elaborately extended
comparisons relating heroic events to
simple, everyday events
EPIC CONVENTIONS #5

the epithet- An epithet is largely
decorative, such as if "cloudgathering Zeus" is used instead of
conjuring up a storm. ".
Epic Hero Characteristics
Etymology: The English word "hero"
comes from the Greek
word heros, which probably had an
original meaning of "protector.“

Jung and Campbell

Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell
developed the idea of the archetype

Archetype: A recurring pattern of
images, situations, or symbols found
in the mythology, religion, art, and
dreams of cultures around the world
Joseph Campbell
Carl Jung
Hero Defined:

Hero: “The Hero is the protagonist or central character, whose primary
purpose is to separate from the ordinary world and sacrifice himself for the
service of the Journey at hand - to answer the challenge, complete the quest
and restore the Ordinary World’s balance. We experience the Journey through
the eyes of the Hero.”
Characteristics of an Epic Hero
 An
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
epic hero is introduced in medias res, is:
Unusual circumstances surround the hero’s
birth
possesses supernatural talents or gifts,
takes a long journey, or quest where he is
tested
has may have fellow warriors but does
solitary deed
He interacts with mythical beings and has
human and/or animal helpers and
companions.
Continued
6. possesses virtues admired by his society, called “arete” (Greek virtue or excellence),
7. proves excellence through a series of well-matched combat scenes (aristeia) with
climactic confrontation with main antagonist, often a "god-despiser",
8. Hero reaches a low point called nadir: and emotional low point where he might give
up, but this is followed by resurrection.
9. The journey ends with the restoration of the hero to his rightful place (although
usually changed from where he began).
The Traditional Epic

The villains that try to keep the hero from his quest are uglier, more evil, and
more cunning than anything in ordinary life

The gods or other supernatural beings take an active role in the story
The Epic Hero
The Epic Hero
Great StatureLarger than Life
 Possesses the
character traits
most valued by
society (i.e.
determination,
courage, wit,
wisdom)

The Epic Hero

Pursues his goal in the face of many setbacks

Has human traits and failings that make him
seem like a real person
(i.e. too curious, foolish, tricky)
Tragic verse Epic Hero
 -"A tragic hero is a literary character who makes a judgment error
that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction.” A tragic hero is
a hero who undergoes a tragedy, such as Oedipus the King. He has
a tragic flaw (pride) which leads to his downfall. He undergoes a
reversal of fortune, losing his fame, fortune, and power to become
the shame of the town. He recognizes that he is at fault for
everything and comes to accept his fate.

"The epic hero participates in a cyclical journey or quest, faces
adversaries that try to defeat him in his journey, gathers allies along
his journey, and returns home significantly transformed by his
journey...Epic heroes are superhuman in that they are smarter,
stronger, and braver than average humans.
 "Examples: Odysseus, Achilles, Hercules
 An epic hero goes on a journey or quest, such as Odysseus. This
hero is basically good. He must prove himself many times over the
course of his journey and often has supernatural help.
Wednesday, January 22nd
Standard 3: Literature - The student will
read, construct meaning, and respond to
a wide variety of literary forms.
Journal Time:
Identifying THE GERUND
PHRASE
 Make
you own Hero
Review
Rubric
Make
sure you have all
parts complete
ClassTime
to work on
Project
Due
tomorrow by the end
of class
*****Bring Literature Book
To Class Friday!
Thursday, January 23rd
Standard 3: Literature - The student will read,
construct meaning, and respond to a wide
variety of literary forms.
Journal Time:
THE APPOSITIVE PHRASE
*****Bring Literature Book
To Class Friday!
—Complete
Project:
Due at the end
of the hour
Friday, January 24st
Standard 3: Literature The student will read,
construct meaning, and
respond to a wide variety
of literary forms.
Journal Time:
Notebook Quiz
Anticipation
Guide
Read Part One of the
Odyssey
Homework Due
Tuesday: Handout/Homew
ork: Look up READ
ARTICLE: Characteristics
of a Hero’s Journey