Heroes
The Hero’s Journey
The epic hero’s adventures always involve trials
and temptations. As in our own journey through
life, there are always obstacles that stand in the
way of the hero’s goals. …Like Achilles, we all
have our potentially fatal weaknesses; like
Beowulf, we must fight our own Grendels and
dragons—our inner and outer demons. It is the
epic hero’s belief in himself [or herself] and his
[or her] own powers that make his success
possible in spite of the obstacles.
The Epic Lives On
Today, the epic hero and his quest are alive and well in our own popular
culture. In movies, comic books, fantasy novels, television programs, and video
games, we meet an endless procession of larger-than-life, sometimes
superhuman heroes—both male and female—whom we recognize as
descendants of the ancient world’s epic heroes. The archetype endures because
it is, quite simply, universal and always relevant, a symbol of some of the most
deeply held values of humankind. The stories of the epic hero address every
aspect of the human experience—its joys, its agonies, its accomplishments, its
failures, its sense of its relation to the mysteries of the universe. …In Achilles’
passage from pouting adolescent to experienced warrior humbled by the
ancient Priam, and in Beowulf’s movement from self-seeking adventure to
heroic but humble death, we discover a dramatic record of the personal and
collective human quest (Holt’s Elements of Literature, 6th Course).
Personal Essay
What is a hero? How do heroes today compare to the epic heroes of the AngloSaxons? Support your answer in an essay, using at least 3 supporting quotes
from the literature we studied during this unit (Beowulf, The Iliad, The
Seafarer, Grendel). All of the reading can be referenced on my website.
** Due Friday, September 11th
Name:___________________________________
Period:___________
Heroes – Personal Essay (Anglo-Saxon Unit)
Rubric (5 pts):
_____ / 5
This Rubric stapled to the front with your name.
Introduction (8 pts):
_____ / 3
“Hook” or “Attention-getter” - Compel the audience to listen.
• Ex: Intriguing quote, compelling questions, brief anecdote, etc.
_____ / 5
Thesis: Clear statement on your position or purpose for your paper.
Body (10 pts):
_____ / 5
_____ / 5
Quotes (15 pts):
_____ / 15
Your essay clearly answers the essay prompt.
Your essay is focused and supports your thesis.
Quotes - Select 3 quotes from any literature we covered in this unit
(Beowulf, The Iliad, The Seafarer, Grendel).
 5 pts per quote—must be cited correctly using MLA formatting:
“Quote” (Author’s Last Name page#).


Misc (12 pts):
_____ / 5
_____ / 5
_____ / 2
Quotes are explained and relevant to your essay.
Quotes support your thesis.
Format - 1-2 pages in length, double-spaced, size 12 (Times New
Roman), 1” margins, page #s bottom center, indented paragraphs, etc.
Conventions - grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, etc.
Title - come up with an interesting/intriguing title
Conclusion (5 pts):
_____ / 5
Revisit your thesis one final time and leave the reader thinking.
Works Cited Page (10 pts):
_____ / 5
Correct format (MLA);
• double-spaced, 2nd line indent (hanging indent), alphabetical order
_____ / 5
Contains all necessary information
• use “Owl at Purdue” website for specific instructions for MLA
formatting
_____ / 65 Total