Odyssey Essay - Odysseus’ Hero’s Journey
Prompt:
Demonstrate how Odysseus grows into a hero with ‘restraint and control’.
Start with a hook:
Discuss what is meant by a hero’s journey. Or discuss other heroes who behave with or without restraint and control.
Then use this précis statement comparing the ancient vs. modern hero tale. All hero’s journeys involve an initiate who grows into a stronger hero.
Then use this thesis – the observation about the text that you will prove. Indeed while Odysseus begins as a somewhat irresponsible leader, but after receiving advice in the underworld, he becomes more of a leader with restraint and control.
This is more of an exercise in finding evidence in the text and incorporating quotes into your paper. Think CSEE in every paragraph. Claim – Set-Up – Evidence - Explain
You will have the period to complete the essay.
Stay focused on proving your thesis.
Sample Outline
1) Intro Paragraph
a. Hook (description of a scene, questions about heroism, anecdote, quote, etc.)
b. Précis sentence. (All hero’s journeys involve an initiate who grows into a stronger hero.)
c. Thesis (Indeed while Odysseus begins as a somewhat irresponsible leader, but after receiving advice in the underworld, he becomes more of a leader with restraint and control.)
2) Body Paragraph 1
a. Claim – Odysseus begins his journey sometimes behaving without restraint and control.
b. Set-up – Give information about where the quote you found came from
c. Evidence – Include the quote
d. Explain - how the quote shows the claim is true
e. Do this for a second quote as well
3) Body Paragraph 2
a. Claim – Later during the three challenges, Odysseus begins leading with restraint and control.
b. Set-up – Give information about where the quote you found came from
c. Evidence – Include the quote
d. Explain - how the quote shows the claim is true
e. Do this for a second quote as well
4) Body Paragraph 3
a. Claim – Finally during the homecoming, Odysseus continues acting with restraint and control.
b. Set-up – Give information about where the quote you found came from
c. Evidence – Include the quote
d. Explain - how the quote shows the claim is true
e. Do this for a second quote as well
5) Conclusion
a. Briefly restate thesis thesis in a new way
b. Show the significance of the essay in a new way (ex. recommendations, connections to other heroes, relate to how you might live your own life, relate back to hook, etc.)