You must create an original descriptive Epic poem, similar to those of Sappho and Homer in Topics Poets in Ancient Greece. This is about a time when you struggled to overcome adversity and emerge as a hero, something that made you who you are, overcoming the odds. (examples: beating a disease, moving a mountain, completing boot camp, tale from childhood that impacted you where you had to rely on yourself, bodily transformation, achievement in sport, process of bringing a life into the world, etc). 1000 word minimum not including sources, quotes, or titles.
To fully answer this project you must use Sappho, Homer, and the vison of Audre Lorde (cite them a works cited is needed even if you do not quote) Know how the poets understand the Greek hero and the heroic
Notice what virtues make a hero
Notice the stages that hero goes through (Think Hercules and the struggles)
NOTICE the hero WINS in the end
This can even be the everyday or mundane turned into a heroic act when called upon
Notice how democracy (having a voice) plays a central role in making a Hero
Poem (does not have to rhyme)
Revisit you essay on a Greek Hero from the poets and envision yourself as the hero in this piece, BUT in a real life circumstance.
Written in Stanza form i.e., Like Homer (do not over think this; stanza is just a grouping of sentences) I am not looking for literary perfection; stanza is to help you do a dramatic video of your reading. Concentrate on the substance.
Long enough to make me feel like I am on the long, long journey with you (remember Epics are not short. Don’t be slackers). Written long enough to video 5 minutes.
Your poem should convey the connection between the world of the poets in ancient Greece and ours.
Your poem should be full of material obstacles and triumphs, as well as, those erotic moments of inspiration where we are “called to action”
Your poem must demonstrate you understand Dr Lj’s summation of the poets and Lorde
You must demonstrate you understand Odysseus.
You must demonstrate you understand Sappho
This must be about a real life experience where you are the hero. You are not being saved, you do the saving.
For the Greeks a hero is empowered from within. Virtue is what guides a hero. You must discuss your heroic virtues.
You must make this like a heroic journey. You must be the hero. You are NOT being rescued
This is not about the gods of Greece this about you the human hero, in your time and space, just trying to make it home.
Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth, diversity, and creativity of the human experience.
Demonstrate the ability to think critically and independently about the world through an understanding of core terminology and concepts in a discipline of the humanities.
Explain meaning of written work, presentation, arts, and media in different contexts. Explain how a culture's values, beliefs, and ethical standards are expressed in their visual art, performing art, music, literature, religions and philosophies.
Explain how the cultural history of the world is interconnected, or how an individual cultural or ethnic group has made a unique contribution to the civilization of the world.
Demonstrate the ability to apply concepts and skills in a focused thematic area through sustained critical inquiry.
The contribution of a past culture or historical tradition to a current culture.
