Online ENG 201: World Literature (Classical to Renaissance):

The Question of Heroism

Short Response Paper #3

Due Tuesday, 8/3 by 8:00 p.m. AST ( Arizona Standard Time)

Submit via Blackboard’s Drop Box or as a Word document attached to email.

While involving multiple characters, the stories we’ve been reading all focus on the experiences, positive or negative, of the story’s hero or heroes. Though the story might not be narrated by the hero, events are told predominately from his perspective; we are told what he thinks, what he wants, etc. Only rarely, do we get glimpses into other characters’ points of view. For this response, take a scene from one of the works we’ve read and retell it from the perspective of another character.  For example, you might retell Achilles' encounter with Priam from Priam’s perspective or imagine the fight between Beowulf and Grendel from Grendel’s mother’s perspective. You could retell the story of Balin from the damosel's perspective or even the sword's. Likewise, you could retell Sir Gareth's (Beaumaines) journey from Lyonet's perspective.

In your response:

1)      Select one scene to retell—reread it to understand its significance and its original presentation. 

2)      Retell the story from the perspective of another character involved in the scene or event.  You can rewrite the scene as a story or poem, or perhaps you’d like to write it in the form of a letter or journal.  For you artists, you could recreate the scene as a painting or image, which would accompany a written explanation (Email me if you’d like to complete this option).

3)      Be specific.  You want to make it clear what scene you are retelling, using textual evidence when possible.  You want to be true to the facts of the event, and your version of the story should reflect an understanding of the nature of the character you select as your focus—that is, your story should have individuals thinking and acting in character based on what we know about them.  You may want to create dialogue between your character and others. 

Formatting:

Responses should be 2-3 pages in length, using a 12-point font, 1” margins, and double spacing (in Microsoft Word). Follow MLA guidelines for citing.

Grades will be assigned based on:

Quality of analysis (insight, logic)

Quality of research (care in selection of quotes, care in choosing sources, questioning sources)

Structure of paper (clarity, organization)