Adapting The Odyssey
Show us a new way to think about The Odyssey. If you work with someone, make the project proportionally better! Be sure to write a paragraph that explains what you (personally) did to adapt the epic. Here are some possibilities...
Write a narrative of an episode from a crew member’s point of view. Remember that Odysseus loses ALL his men for one reason or another.
Write a narrative of an episode from a different point of view. For example: Polyphemus discusses Odysseus “breaking and entering” and “malicious wounding.” Athena discusses how she has helped Odysseus in various episodes. Helios discusses what happened to his cattle and the subsequent demise of ALL of Odysseus men. Penelope discusses her life with the Suitors.
Take an episode and make it into an illustrated children's book.
Using The Odyssey as a model, create your own epic poem.
Make a newspaper. Using the format of a tabloid newspaper, write articles and insert pictures about Odysseus, his crew, an episode or episodes in The Odyssey.
Write and film a news story. You may use an interview, docu-drama, sports report, live on the scene reporting, special news bulletin, etc… Costumes and props will add to the fun.
Dear Diary. Although the episodes we read do not focus on life in Ithaca while Odysseus is away for 20 years, life goes on. Penelope faces a life alone raising a son as a single parent, running a kingdom and fending off all the suitors that occupy her home. Create a diary of Penelope’s thoughts, feelings and experiences while she waits patiently for Odysseus to return.
Film your own version of an episode. Remember that costumes, props and set are important.
Create a cartoon/comic strip of an episode.
Create a graphic novel of an episode or episodes.
Use Flash animation or another software program (not powerpoint) to illustrate an episode.
Illustrate, in detail, an episode or episodes.
Create a character book with sketches of the characters in The Odyssey. Don’t forget to include the gods and goddess, monsters, dangers, etc…
Draw a mural illustrating episodes from The Odyssey.
Create an illustrated timeline of Odysseus’s journey, beginning with the end of the Trojan War.
Construct a diorama (three-dimensional scene which includes models of people, gods/goddesses, monsters, dangers, buildings, plants, and animals, etc…) of one of the episodes. On an index card, include a written description of the episode & why you selected it.
Create a sculpture of a character, god or goddess, monster, danger, etc... Use any combination of soap, wood, clay, sticks, wire, stones, old toy pieces, or any other object. On an index card, give a detailed explanation of your sculpture.
Create puppets and a puppet show script to dramatize an episode. Perform it for us.
Make an authentic Greek dish and share it with the class. You must bring enough for the entire class to share.
Write a traditional song with lyrics and a melody: a country-western ballad, a Rap song, a blues tune, a rock song... about Odysseus, his journey, an episode...
Odysseus and his crew spent hours and hours on board ship sailing and rowing. It must have been boring, but to pass the time they may have created chants and songs to take ease the boredom and create energy for the various rowing strokes (racing, storm, beaching, etc…). Create a chant or song that Odysseus and his crew may have used.
Use a popular TV show theme song and adapt it to an episode or to the journey.