Name:
Date:
The Odyssey: The End
Final Writing Assignment
For this writing assignment, think about how choice is a major topic in this text. At numerous times
throughout his adventure, Odysseus contemplates his actions and the best strategy for the situation.
Odysseus, however, is not the only character who does this; Zeus comments, “Here’s what seems best to
me.” This statement demonstrates that even the king of the gods thinks clearly and carefully about his
actions. For this writing assignment, you do the same. Think about which of the following choices seem
best to you and will best demonstrate your writing ability, interests, and understanding of the text.
#1: ANALYTICAL: MODERN DAY JOURNEYS AND HEROES
The hero’s journey is represented in The Odyssey. Now you have the opportunity to apply the concept to
a film and to the overall human experience. Select one of the following films to view: The Wizard of Oz,
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, Star Wars, Toy Story (any of the three), Superman, Harry Potter (any of the 7),
or Lord of the Rings. After carefully watching this film and taking notes on it, your assignment will be to
prove that your movie follows the epic hero cycle by comparing it to The Odyssey. Feel free to include
charts and visual aids (especially any images from your movie).
Your paper should name specific examples from the movie and connect them to the hero’s journey. What sets
your hero's journey in motion? What elements of the hero’s journey does it conform to? Use specific examples of
what you see on the screen.
• You should have quotes from the movie.
• Your thesis could be something like: From the call to the return, This movie (give title) is a modern example
of the Homeric Hero cycle.
• In your conclusion, connect your movie to our text. What is the connection to The Odyssey? Why is
the hero’s journey structure interesting to study, important to learn, and frequently used? What do
we learn about the consequences of wild emotions and how we should learn to manage them?
Format: about 2-4 pages, double-spaced, 12pt. – must include notes
#2: CREATIVE: WRITE BOOK 25!
For this assignment, you have the opportunity to write Book 25 of The Odyssey! As you continue or
conclude the epic, consider using appropriate epic conventions, epithets, and resolving unresolved
issues. Your book does NOT have to be in poetry form! It should, however, FIT the style, tone, general
feeling of the text.
Format: 3-5 typed, 12pt, double spaced pages. Feel free to include pictures or other appropriate
decorations.
#3: PERSONAL: YOUR OWN HOMECOMING
Tell your own homecoming story in which you are the protagonist, using the stylistic elements we have
discussed including epic simile, foreshadowing, imagery. Your essay should follow the structure of the
Homeric Hero Cycle. Use your notes.
• One paragraph of introduction explaining how Homer’s Odyssey inspired your style
• Clear connection to the pattern of the hero’s journey
• Uses every literary device appropriately
• Attach this sheet and any drafts
Format: 2-4 typed, 12pt, double-spaced pages. Fee free to include pictures or other appropriate
decorations.
“Portents Gather,” “Odysseus Strings the Bow,” and “The Slaughter in the Hall” are three chapters rich with
literary style and ethical dilemmas. As Odysseus prepares for his nostos, or homecoming, prophecies and
omens of doom gather; after Odysseus finally retrieves his significant and symbolic bow, the omens come
true and the slaughter begins. Homer weaves a gorgeous web of words, showing off his major themes
with symbols and similes. Yet, homer constructs the chapters without the simple good versus evil
paradigm: Odysseus hangs the maids whom he believes were “sluts,” “whoring” with the suitors, without
considering their autonomy in the matter, He kills the priest who begs for mercy, sending his rolling head
praying the dirt. Telemachus kills the suitor who, in effect, saved his life. These chapters are as troubling,
as they are joyful, as rich and disturbing as any of Hoer’s epic.
#4: PERSUASIVE: LETTER
Use your persuasive skills to write a letter, but not just any letter… Choose a character. Write a letter to
Zeus, king of the gods, about the events of “the Slaughter in the Hall” from that character’s point of view.
Discuss the violence that occurs and your opinion of whether or not it is justified. Does Odysseus overkill?
• Uses clear evidence from the text
• Proper persuasive letter format
• Contains a central claim or thesis
• Attach this sheet and all drafts (well edited!)
Format: about 2-4 pages, double-spaced, 12pt.
#5: POINT OF VIEW: REWRITE THE SCENE
If you select this option, choose one of the scenes below. Then, rewrite the scene from the other person’s
perspective (meaning, not Odysseus’s). Try your best to include as many examples of Homer’s style as
possible (epithets, repetition, simile, et cetera). You may use bits of dialogue that appear in The Odyssey,
but the majority of the words and ideas must be your own. Be creative, of course, but be true to the
integrity of the scene.
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Odysseus and Polyphemus in the cave (Book 9)
Odysseus meets Ajax in the Underworld (Book 11)
Odysseus and Argos are briefly reunited (Book 17)
Penelope and the beggar (Odysseus) meet for the first time (Book 19)
The suitors meet their fate (Book 22)
Other… (must be approved)
Format: about two to three pages, double-spaced, 12pt.
Checklist for all options
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Coherent and organized: topic sentences, concluding sentences where appropriate
Interesting: has on opening hook, introduction shows importance of topic
Insightful: recognizes the complexity of the issue; offers new insights beside classwork
Textual basis: Clearly uses evidence or inspiration from the text
Professional: proofread, prepared for submission, word-processed
Process: Drafts 1 and 2 attached, peer AND self edited; notes attached.
Regardless of your choice, your paper is due on:
. It must be
clean and neat and free of spelling/punctuation/capitalization/sentence structure errors.
Review the rubric and make sure you staple (BEFORE CLASS!) it to the TOP of your paper.
Name:
Date:
The Odyssey: The End
Final Writing Assignment: GRADING RUBRIC
#1: ANALYTICAL: MODERN DAY JOURNEYS AND HEROES
 Thesis statement answers the question
 Details and quotes from the book and film are included
 Film’s connection to The Odyssey
 Notes attached
 About two-four typed, double spaced pages, 12 pt
#2: CREATIVE: WRITE BOOK 25!
 Use of effective epithets
 Epic conventions used and identified in margin
 All problems resolved
 Fits style, tone, and general feeling of the text
 Creative and interesting, drafts attached
 About three-five typed, double spaced pages, 12 pt
#3: PERSONAL: YOUR OWN HOMECOMING
 One paragraph intro explaining inspiration
 Clear connections to the pattern of the hero’s hourneyLessons of the “road” are evident
 Uses every stylistic element/literary device appropriately and effectively
 Title is given
 Drafts included
 About two-four typed, double-spaced pages, 12 pt
#4: PERSUASIVE: LETTER
 Thesis statement is clear and answers the question
 Includes clear evidence from the tex
 Is creative and well-thought, insightful and persuasive
 Proper persuasive letter format
 About two-four typed, double-spaced pages, 12 pt
#5: POINT OF VIEW: REWRITE THE SCENE
 Is creative and interesting
 Includes multiple examples of Homeric style – identified in margin
 Remains true to Homeric integrity
 Demonstrates a clear understanding of relationships between characters
 About two-three typed, double-spaced pages, 12 pt
Grammar/Mechanical Notes: Problem areas include:
Spelling
Consistent verb tense
Punctuation
Sentence Structure
Awkward wording
Pronoun Problems
Preposition problems
Style:
Sentence Fragments
Run-on Sentences
Transitions
Language is clear, coherent, logical
Vocabulary is interesting, varied, sophisticated, appropriate
Grade: