Directions: Read the following passage. Then, on a separate piece of paper, define epic hero.
An epic hero is a larger-than-life central character in an epic poem. The epic hero is brave and virtuous, though sometimes flawed, and usually proves his heroism on a long, dangerous journey, or quest. In the epic Beowulf, a brave warrior named Beowulf aids a Danish king in the fight against Grendel. Beowulf ep itomizes the epic hero in his feats of strength, victories in battle, and boastful self-confidence.
Directions: Identify the usage error in the following sentence.
Epic heroes receives help with their quests from supernatural forces.
The usage error in the sentence is
A receives
B their C help D interested

A mock epic amusingly parodies the style and conventions of the serious epic. Ever since Homer, a hallmark of the epic has been the elaborate epic simile, or extended comparison between two unlike things. What things are being compared in Canto III and Canto V?

In the opening lines of Book 1 of the Odyssey, the poet calls upon Muse, a daughter of Zeus often credited with inspiration. Why would he open the epic in this way? What does this allusion tell you about him as a poet?

In Homer's Odyssey, the hero, Odysseus, who has been away from home for twenty years, is washed up from the sea onto the shores of his own kingdom. What echoes of this myth can you find in this story?

Which of the following best describes the author's perspective?

A. The author believes in the "mummy's curse."

B. The author supports archaeological studies.

C. The author views the story objectively.

D. The author wants tombs to be undisturbed.

Read the excerpt from Gilgamesh: A New English Version.

"The man who pulled you up from the ground and gave you fresh water from his waterskin is Lugalbanda, your personal god. With his help, we will achieve a triumph greater than any man has achieved."

Which feature of epic poetry does this excerpt most clearly show?

Write an essay in which you explain how the Odyssey exemplifies the epic form.

Introduce the Odyssey and briefly summarize the story it tells.

Set up a clear organization in which you explain the literary elements that are common to the epic form. Consider the form's structures, character types, plot patterns, and types of language, including figures of speech.

Cite passages and details from the Odyssey to illustrate each epic element you discuss.

Write a conclusion that follows logically from the ideas you share in the body of your essay.

(a) List two characteristics that make Beowulf an epic hero. (b) Identify a passage that shows the hero's more human side. Explain your choice.

Creating an Illustrated Myth on the page: Your assignment is to work with a partner to create an original myth that explains a belief, custom, or natural phenomenon through the actions of gods or heroes. Be sure that your myth teaches a lesson or a moral and includes illustrations that complement the myth as it unfolds. In your own words, paraphrase what you will need to know to complete Embedded Assessment 2 successfully.

(a) Give two examples of questions you might ask to analyze the cultural context of the myth.

(b) Explain the answers that the myth suggests, and provide details from the text.

A. NO CHANGE.

B. The lliad and the Odyssey are two of the greatest epic poems ever written.

C. The lliad and the Odyssey, are two of the greatest epic poems ever written.

D. The Iliad and the Odyssey two of the great epic poems ever written.

Why do you think this myth is important to the Greeks? What values does this myth depict that Greeks thought were important?

What events create the central conflict of the myth? Tell why this myth might have been created.

Epic and Epic Hero Using a chart like the one shown, cite examples from the text that show Mari Djata possesses the qualities of an epic hero.