FIRST: Unit 1B’s introduction to the Five Great Themes of World Literature states with regard to the hero: “The surest way to understand what a culture of the past most values is to focus on what it considers heroic, in that a culture recognizes its heroes as embodying its most important ideas, the values that are essential.” Discuss the diverse values that our two epic heroes, Rustem and Dante, embody.

  

FIRST: Unit 1B’s introduction to the Five Great Themes of World Literature states with regard to the hero: “The surest way to understand what a culture of the past most values is to focus on what it considers heroic, in that a culture recognizes its heroes as embodying its most important ideas, the values that are essential.” Discuss the diverse values that our two epic heroes, Rustem and Dante, embody.

Which values embodied by these epic heroes are endorsed or celebrated by their societies?

Are any of their values condemned or rejected by their societies?

Illustrate your discussion with specific examples of the heroes’ obligations to their societies and what their values reflect about their cultures.

One passage you should include in your discussion reflects Dante’s feelings at the beginning of his journey:

110 I bowed my head and held it low at last

111 the poet said: ‘What are your thoughts?’

112 In answer I replied ‘Oh,

113 how many sweet thoughts, what great desire

114 have brought them to this woeful pass!’ (Canto V).

SECOND, create a slide presentation of your argument. Include both text and images that illustrate and enhance the points you are making. Use the following as an outline of what to include:

Explain the general topic and relevant themes (e.g. heroes, suffering) and any relevant terms for that topic (suggested 2-3 slides).

Apply that topic to both Shahnameh and to Inferno. Give specific examples and quotes from the texts to support your analyses (suggested 5-7 slides). You may want to check the feedback from your previous assignment to make sure you improve upon your earlier efforts.

Your final slide should be your Works Cited slide, with both texts in MLA format.

THIRD, and finally: you’ll practice briefly presenting a few elements of your project. . NOTE- I will do the reading and presenting of the power points based on notes listed in the PowerPoint. Instead, trust that your reader has already looked through your slides and use the time to discuss what you yourself found compelling about this project.

For example:

what do you feel is the most fascinating part of your presentation, and why?

What do you understand about these epics now that you didn’t before you worked on this project?

What interesting connections have you made?

If you had time to continue working on this project, what might you explore next?

Shoot for a total presentation time between 2-3 minutes.