English assignment

ESSAY #1 Epic Heroes (MLA format; 3+ pages, double spaced; 1-inch margins; Times New Roman, or preapproved 12- point font) Epic poetry is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, dating back several millennia, and yet these works remain some of the most widely read and studied pieces of literature. This is due, in no small part, to the presence of heroesperson(s) or character(s), who are admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities; or someone who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage or strength. THE ILIAD, Book V, by Homer THE ODYSSEY, Book IX, by Homer THE AENEID, Book III, by Virgil For this, our second writing assignment, I would like you to choose one (1) passage from each of these excerpts and write a short, three to five-page literary analysis, discussing the similarities and/or differences between the portrayal of their heroic characters and their deeds or accomplishments. Your chosen passages must be a section that you think best exemplifies or reveals this. In your close reading, you should be sure to do the following: DO NOT simply copy and paste the entire passage or write a plot summary of the entire story. Instead, you should reference the ideas you will cover in your opening paragraph, as well as indicate when the passage appears. Over the course of your analysis, use quotes to explain your ideas. You will probably need at least one quote or paraphrase per paragraph. DO NOT use a quote longer than a few sentences. You should paraphrase otherwise and make sure to cite each quote using the authors name. Illustrate why the passage is important, break down what it means, and explain what you believe the authors intent may be, beyond the words on the page. Use a combination of prior knowledge or research to improve upon or add meaning to your analysis. Close reading demonstrates understanding beyond the basic information conveyed by the plot. So, make sure that your analysis explains the deeper meaning behind the passage and why you think the author wrote it. Its what weve been practicing in our initial discussions, only in written form. You will also be responsible for handing in your annotations for these excerpts along with the essay.