Download God/Goddess Assignment

God/Goddess Assignment
Objective: the purpose of this assignment is to solidify students’ awareness of the influences of Greek,
Roman mythology, and to give students knowledge of myths to which classic literature alludes.
Part 1: Research
The goal in part one is to find and read myths about the particular god or goddess which you have been
assigned. Although you may read many stories, you will need to select one for the purpose of this
assignment. Although more than one student may have the same god or goddess, you will be working
alone. Each student should have different myths to interpret. Helpful Websites:
www.ancienthistory.about.com, www.bulfinch.org, www.mythweb.com &
www.messagenet.com/myths
Part 2: Monologue/Speech
In this part, you will present one of the myths in the persona of your assigned god or goddess. The
presentation can be performed as a theatrical monologue or as an academic speech. The story should be
told in first person, expressing your reactions and feelings as the assigned god or goddess to the events
in the myth. Allow yourself to revel in the persona of an immortal being who has had extraordinary
experiences. Focus on expressing what this god or goddess is like. The most successful presentations
will thoroughly present the plot of the myth and allow the audience to get to know the personality and
feelings of the particular god or goddess. The 3-5 minute monologues/speeches will be written, bullet
point format, on 3x5 note cards; they do not have to be memorized, but they should not be read. Your
note cards should act as a reminder only.
Zeus/Jupiter
Hephaestus/Vulcan
Hera/Juno
Hestia/Vesta
Poseidon/Neptune
Hades/Pluto
Demeter/Ceres
Athena/Minerva
Aphrodite/Venus
Hermes/Mecury
Apollo/Apollo
Artemis/Diana
Dionysis/Bacchus
Ares/Mars
Pan/Faunus
Eros/Cupid
Eris/Discordia
Part 3: Essay & Analysis
This mini-unit will culminate in a 2-3 page imaginative essay narrating the myth with many writer
embellishments—embellishments focusing on the inner thoughts and feelings of the persona. The most
successful essays will be theme driven and use literary devices to emphasize the theme/themes:
imagery, metaphor, personification, simile, description of setting, symbolism, and hyperbole. Another
element important to the essay is illustrating what lessons or explanations can be understood from the
myth. This imaginative essay will not be thesis driven; it should be written in a narrative style. In
addition to being graded on clear writing, imagination, punctuation, and the use of literary elements, the
essay will be scored for CIM. Attached to the essay should be a 1-2 page analysis of your own essay;
the analysis should identify the literary devices you used and explain how your use of literary devices
highlighted your theme/themes.