Themes
The Odyssey, the classic literature novel written by Homer, has the following
theme(s):
- The power of cunning over strength
- The pitfalls of temptation
- The tension between goals and obstacles
- The misery of separation
- Maturation as a journey
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Task 1: Pretest time to complete task - ½ hour
Please complete the pretest BEFORE attempting ANY assignments. Please relax. This will only test what you know at this point
in time. You are graded for doing it regardless of your score.
Task 2: Mapping the Odyssey time to complete task - 1 hour
Go to: Mapstories . Complete the handout.
Task 3: Background information time to complete task - 1 hour
Watch and the background videos and complete the handout.
Video links are embedded in handout link.
Task 4: The Odyssey time to complete task - 7 hours
Go to: Homer-Odyssey Complete the study guide.
Odyssey Book I Odyssey Books II - VIII Odyssey Book IX: Pt I Odyssey Book IX: Pt II Odyssey Book X - XI Odyssey Book XXI Odyssey Book XXII Odyssey Book XXIII
Task 5: Themes in modern non-fiction time to complete task - 2 hours
Lance Armstrong, Tragic Hero? Not Exactly by Annalisa Quinn
Read pages 24-25 in supplemental 9th Grade Book (1 of 2). Write one five (5) sentence paragraph.
- What is a tragic hero? Do you think Lance Armstrong is one. Support your opinion based on Quinn’s article.
Read pages 28-37 in supplemental 9th Grade Book (1 of 2). Write one five (5) sentence paragraph.
- Odysseus was a soldier. Discuss one or more things that Odysseus had in common with the soldiers in the article.
Essay must be typed and submitted using Google Docs, unless you receive other instructions. You MUST DOUBLE-SPACE AND LEFT-JUSTIFY
YOUR PAPER. You must complete the rubric handout and turn it in to have your essay graded. Essay must be at least 400 words and include
examples from the book. Please note that the grading of your essay may take 24 hours or more.
Choose 1 essay topic: Rubric
Student gmail:
- Write a persuasive essay in which you define the qualities of a hero and argue whether Odysseus or Penelope is more heroic according to your definition.
- Write a persuasive essay in which you discuss if Odysseus is a hero. What makes him a hero? What is his “fatal flaw”?
- Write a persuasive essay in which you take a position as to whether or not Odysseus should kill all of the suitors - including any maids/servants who have appeared to help them.
- [email protected] Submissions: [email protected] or [email protected]
Many contemporary songs are inspired by literature and share common ideas and themes. Pick a song or songs from the list below, which
share common ideas or themes from The Odyssey. Write 1 ABC paragraph explaining how the The Odyssey and your selected song share a
theme or idea. See Music and Literature Handout. List of songs for The Odyssey: Rubric
- “Calypso” by Suzanne Vega
- “Home at Last” by Steely Dan
- “Tales of Brave Ulysses” by Cream
- “Carry on Wayward Son” by Kansas
- “Homeward Bound” by Simon and Garfunkel
Go to: Art and the Odyssey Review the PowerPoint on how our view of heroes has changed over time. Write a three-paragraph essay on
who you would consider a hero and why. Be specific. Ask your teacher for the rubric.
Task 9: Exam time to complete task - 1 hour
Must achieve a 70% or greater to pass.
Task 10: FIT/Grammar
Activities assigned on a daily basis.
Task 11: Contemporary Fiction time to complete task - 10 hours
Read The Hunger Games or another book depicting a hero (with teacher approval).
In The Hunger Games we meet Katniss, a modern day hero. Much like Odysseus, Katniss undertakes The Hero Journey. In a 200 word or
greater essay compare and contrast the Hero Journey of Katniss to the Hero Journey of Odysseus.
You must increase your TABE score to receive credit for this section.
Task 12: Projects time to complete task - 6 hours Rubric
First Presentation: Prepare a presentation in which you discuss the themes from the Odyssey across literature, film, art, and music.
Second Presentation: Prepare a presentation, using a different tool than the one used in the first presentation, in which you discuss the
Hero’s Journey across the pieces you have studied.