Activity Overview
The Epic of Gilgamesh is a perfect way for students to examine the common template for adventure stories known as a ”Hero’s Journey”. This is a recurring pattern of stages many heroes undergo over the course of their stories. Joseph Campbell, an American mythologist, writer, and lecturer, articulated this cycle after researching and reviewing numerous myths and stories from a variety of time periods and regions of the world. He found that they all share fundamental principles. This led to the Hero’s Journey, also known as the Monomyth.
Students can create a storyboard that highlights the three main features of a hero's journey: the ordinary world, crossing the threshold and atonement. Teachers can extend this activity to have students create a storyboard that includes all twelve stages if desired! Teachers can add as many templates to an assignment as they wish to differentiate and provide students' choices.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Use the story of The Epic of Gilgamesh and map it to the narrative structure of the Hero's Journey.
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- Create a storyboard about The Epic of Gilgamesh that highlights the three main features of a hero's journey: the ordinary world, crossing the threshold and atonement.
- Include descriptions and appropriate illustrations for each element of the hero's journey.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/2] Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content
- [ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically
- [ELA-Literacy/W/9-10/7] Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Exemplary 20 Points | Proficient 17 Points | Commendable 13 Points | Try Again 10 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Content | | | | |
| Organization | | | | |
| Visual Elements | All pictures demonstrate effort, are attention-grabbing, and clearly communicate visually the corresponding element of the hero's journey. | Many pictures show effort and clearly communicate how an element of the hero's journey is present in the story. | Some pictures appear rushed, or are uninteresting. Connections to elements of the hero's journey are non-obvious, or unclear. | Few pictures appear. The storyboard appears rushed, or unfinished. The connections and elements are very unclear. |
| Conventions | There are only minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage, if any. | There are few errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. | There are many errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage. | There are abundant errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, or usage that detract from the work. |
| Creativity/Effort | This Storyboard could be used as an exemplary model, and is one of the most outstanding projects produced. | Creativity is evident, and the finished product is admirable. | Creativity and effort are lacking. Extra help was needed. | Creativity and effort are lacking. Extra help was needed. |
How To Help Students Write a Modern Adaptation of an Epic or a Hero’s Journey
Discuss Elements of Epic
In order to help students write an epic, it is important to discuss with them the elements that are part of an epic. Teachers can list down these elements and discuss them in detail one by one. Guide the students on how they can make these elements more relevant for modern audiences while still keeping the essence of an epic.
Use an Example
Once the students are more familiar with the elements of an epic or Hero’s journey, teachers can ask them to read an epic and guide them on how it can be converted into a modern journey. This will help students analyze the process and come up with new ideas for their own projects.
Incorporate Technology
Encourage the students to use technology and modern concepts and ideas in their own epic. This will make the project more relevant to today’s society and depict a more appropriate picture. Students can also compare and analyze themes present in different epics and use them as inspiration for their own creative writing.
Foster Creativity
Creating modern adaptations for old literature writings requires a lot of effort and creativity on behalf of the students. Teachers can guide the students through this process and engage them in exercises that can help them foster creativity and improve critical thinking skills.
Reflect and Review
After finishing the assignment, ask students to consider the process of bringing a traditional epic or hero's journey into the contemporary day. Talk about the lessons they learned about cultural change, storytelling, and the ongoing impact of these classic stories.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Epic of Gilgamesh Hero's Journey
What elements of Epic are present in the Hero’s Journey in the Epic of Gilgamesh?
As in a traditional hero's journey, Gilgamesh encounters friends and foes, faces obstacles, changes as a person, and eventually pursues immortality and knowledge. All these elements make Gilgamesh’s journey more interesting and help in the development of prominent themes.
For what reason does the Epic of Gilgamesh feature a Cedar Forest?
An emblem of the valiant quest is the Cedar Forest. It is at this crucial point in Gilgamesh's quest that he and Enkidu walk into the forest to kill Humbaba, the gatekeeper.
What is the significance of mortality and immortality throughout Gilgamesh’s journey?
In the epic, Gilgamesh's search for immortality and his fear of dying are extensively explored. In the end, he finds that accepting death and leaving a lasting legacy is essential to living a meaningful life. These themes impart important messages that are still relevant in the modern day.
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