Assignment: Homeric “Lost Segment” Project
In the style of The Odyssey, you will write a scene that illustrates important thematic ideas in the poem. Pretend your episode is a lost piece of the original epic; it should tell a part of the story left out or some event behind the scenes. In other words, it should describe a new adventure, but appear as much like Homer’s epic as possible. You will need to fit your episode into the existing text.
a) At the end of your segment, you will write a 5 - 6 sentence/150-200 word analysis (Translator’s Notes) explaining how your episode conveys its important Homeric ideas, and be sure to note precisely where in the poem your added segment fits (e.g., my fragment goes in Book 10, between lines 378 and 379). ***
Please click here for an example of the Translator's Notes
b) Your Homeric imitation should look (on the page) and sound like Fitzgerald’s translation. Note that most of Fitzgerald’s lines are 10 – 11 syllables in length, and many of them are written in iambic pentameter.
c) Please accompany your lost segment with a cover page that includes a vivid title and color illustration for your scene. (You can do your own drawing or make a collage of relevant images taken from the internet.)
Please note that this assignment CANNOT be met by a comic takeoff on The Odyssey or even by a “Homeric” narrative that violates the spirit or facts of the work.
Not only should your tale or segment be based on typical action or character and the like, but it should also present various stylistic features of the epic. Your “lost segment” must include the following:
a) an epic simile (of 6-8 lines long)
b) a repeated or formulaic phrase (of your own invention)
c) an appropriate epithet (of your own invention)
d) dialogue: one (and no more than two) character(s) should speak in your segment. You can also include narration from the bard (for a total of three voices).
e) stanzas of 10-11 syllable lines
f) five lines of iambic pentameter (please put them in bold)
Length: 40 - 45 lines of poetry
Cover page (title and illustration)
5-6 sentence analysis of your episode (Translator’s Notes)***
Due: Monday, November 24
Note: This assignment will be graded
*** You will be asked to read to the class your Translator’s Notes and show your cover title and art.