Epics and
the Epic Hero
A WebQuest for 10th
and 12th Grade English
Designed by
Dawn
A. Poore and Penny Bentley
Avery County High
School
Introduction | Task
| Process | Evaluation
| Conclusion | Credits
| Teacher
Page
Introduction
There are many epic heroes in literature.
In this WebQuest, you will be studying either Beowulf or Gilgamesh.
Both of these are epics, so, after you have finished your quest, you will
be able to identify the characteristics of an epic. You will also
learn the traits that identify an epic hero and become acquainted with
Jung's archetypes and Campbells work on The Hero's Journey.
The Task
1. Define "epic," and identify
epics from at least five different
countries.
2. Find a good definition
of the epic hero
3. Find out about archetypes
and how an epic hero fits this mold
4. Identify several epic
heroes in literature
5. Find out about Joseph
Campbell's idea about The Hero's Journey.
6. Select a hero you have
discussed above and prepare a chart
showing how this hero fits the definition of an epic hero.
7. Prepare a chart showing
how your hero follows his journey
8. Select either Gilgamesh
or Beowulf and, in a well-written
paper,
show how this hero fulfills Campbell's definition and
journey.
The Process
First, you will be assigned to a collaborative
group of four. You will further split into pairs to work on tasks
1 through 4.
Of the two pairs in each group, pair #
1 will search the following links:
http://www.lnstar.com/literature/beowulf/
http://www3.cerritos.edu/fquaas/resources/English102/epichero.htm
Cooking
up Epic Heroes
Pair # 2 will search the following links:
http://novaonline.nv.cc.va.us/eli/eng251/gilgameshstudy.htm
http://www3.cerritos.edu/fquaas/resources/English102/gilgamesh.htm
http://www3.cerritos.edu/fquaas/resources/English102/HeroNotes.htm
Get back into your four person group and
discuss what you have discovered in your quest. Discuss this information
thoroughly. Then, working alone, look up the following links which
discuss Carl Jung's ideas about archetypes and Joseph Campbell's theory
about The Hero's Journey (tasks 5 and 6).
http://www.lyricalworks.com/herojourney/journey1.htm
http://www.acs.appstate.edu/~davisct/nt/jung.html
http://titan.sfasu.edu/~beenet/resources/heromain.html
Then split again into two person groups.
Instead of pairing with the person you were with previously, pair with
another person in your group. Pair # 1 will then prepare a chart
as directed in task 6. Pair # 2 will prepare a chart as directed
in task 7.
At this point, everyone who has done task
6 will assemble to synthesize their work into one chart, while everyone
who has done task 7 will do the same. The final charts will be
collaborative efforts which will be presented to the class. Please
select two or three spokespersons who will be responsible for presenting
each chart. These large charts will be posted after presentation.
Now, using what you have learned from
both your webquest, your collaborative discussion, your charts, and your
oral presentation, write a well-reasoned essay as outlined in task 8 above.
Be sure to show how your hero fulfills both the definition and Campbell's
journey. This essay should be at least two pages long, typed, double
spaced, and have one inch margins all around. Also be sure to cite
any references, using standard MLA form.
Evaluation
Collaborative
Work |
Beginning
1
|
Developing
2
|
Accomplished
3
|
Exemplary
4
|
Score
|
Contribute
|
|
|
|
|
|
Research & Gather Information
|
Does not collect any information that relates to the topic.
|
Collects very little information--some relates to the topic.
|
Collects some basic information--most relates to the topic.
|
Collects a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
|
|
Share Information
|
Does not relay any information to teammates.
|
Relays very little information--some relates to the topic.
|
Relays some basic information--most relates to the topic.
|
Relays a great deal of information--all relates to the topic.
|
|
Be Punctual
|
Does not hand in any assignments.
|
Hands in most assignments late.
|
Hands in most assignments on time.
|
Hands in all assignments on time.
|
|
Take Responsibility
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fulfill Team Role's Duties
|
Does not perform any duties of assigned team role.
|
Performs very little duties.
|
Performs nearly all duties.
|
Performs all duties of assigned team role.
|
|
Participate in Science Conference
|
Does not speak during the science conference.
|
Either gives too little information or information which is irrelevant
to topic.
|
Offers some information--most is relevant.
|
Offers a fair amount of important information--all is relevant.
|
|
Share Equally
|
Always relys on others to do the work.
|
Rarely does the assigned work--often needs reminding.
|
Usually does the assigned work--rarely needs reminding.
|
Always does the assigned work without having to be reminded.
|
|
Value Others' Viewpoints
|
|
|
|
|
|
Listen to Other Teammates
|
Is always talking--never allows anyone else to speak.
|
Usually doing most of the talking--rarely allows others to speak.
|
Listens, but sometimes talks too much.
|
Listens and speaks a fair amount.
|
|
Cooperate with Teammates
|
Usually argues with teammates.
|
Sometimes argues.
|
Rarely argues.
|
Never argues with teammates.
|
|
Make Fair Decisions
|
Usually wants to have things their way.
|
Often sides with friends instead of considering all views.
|
Usually considers all views.
|
Always helps team to reach a fair decision.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Individual
Essay |
Novice
1 |
Apprentice
2 |
Veteran
3 |
Master
4 |
Score
|
Meaning: the extent to which
the response shows sound interpretation and analysis of resources
|
No analysis of issues and events.
Provides few accurate or relevant facts, examples or details.
|
Superficial analysis of the issues
and events. Includes several facts, examples and details but may also include
some inaccurate information.
|
Complete analysis of the issues and
events. Sufficiently uses accurate and relevant facts, examples and details.
|
Insightful and complete analysis of
the issues and events.
Sensibly uses accurate and relevant facts,
examples, and details.
|
20 points |
Development: the extent to which ideas
are supported with specific and relevant evidence from the resources
|
No use of facts, examples and details.
Any reference to the documents is unclear.
|
Uses few facts, examples and details
from the documents
The analysis is not well developed.
|
Includes relevant and accurate facts,
details and examples
Some ideas are more fully developed than
others.
|
Always uses clear, relevant
and accurate facts, examples and details to support the analysis
|
20 points |
Organization:
the extent to which the reponse shows direction and coherence
|
The response does not have appropriate
focus or organization.
|
Basic structure but does not maintain
focus.
|
Orderly sequence of ideas. Shows a
clear plan of organization.
|
Well developed focus of ideas. Sharp
sense of a logical and clear organization.
|
20 points |
Language Use: the extent to which
the response shows an awareness of purpose and audience
|
Uses basic vocabulary with little
or no awareness of purpose or audience. Show little variety in sentence
structure.
|
Mostly uses vocabulary from the texts.
Limited awareness of purpose and audience. Occasionally varies sentence
structure.
|
Shows an awareness and purpose through
word choice and varying sentence structure.
|
Shows an in-depth awareness of purpose
and audience through the use of sophisticated language and varying sentence
structure.
|
20 points |
Mechanics: the extent to which the
response exhibits knowledge and skills in grammar, spelling and punctuation
|
Frequent grammar and/or spelling errors
make comprehension difficult.
No editing or rewriting is evident.
|
Errors do not make comprehension difficult.
|
A few errors when using complex grammar
structures.
|
Very few errors occur.
Evident that time and energy was spent
to polish the response.
|
20 points |
Conclusion
Good for you! Now you know
about epic heroes, Jung's archetypes, and Campbell's Hero's Journey.
You can use this information for much of the literature we will read this
year. As you discovered with the links to The Hero's Journey, you
can also use this template to follow the heroes of many of your favorite
movies, such as Star Wars or The Last of the Mohicans.
This is a good thing to know, isn't it?
Credits &
References
Thanks to the sites on the web
who shared with us the above links.
Last updated
on August 15, 1999. Based on
a template from The
WebQuest Page
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