E12: The Archetypal Tale of Good versus Evil
The Epic of Beowulf Culminating Project
Project Prompt: In order to demonstrate that The Epic of Beowulf is an archetypal story of Good versus Evil, create a project that keeps all of the major elements of the epic intact (including major characters, basic plot, and important details), but change the setting to fit any other time period and/or place except for the Anglo-Saxon period. Your retelling of this classic tale through a new setting should still demonstrate an obvious, in-depth understanding of the original story.
You have many options in terms of how you choose to complete this very important project, but please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to submit a complete project on the due date; if you choose to work with a group and they then complete the work without your help (for whatever reason), you will need to submit your own individual project on the due date or receive a zero for this assignment. The option to work with a group is a luxury for this assignment; it’s still your individual responsibility to complete the work.
· You have three major choices when it comes to completing this assignment; (1) you may create an original movie, (2) you may perform a live skit, or (3) you may compose a short story. If you choose to create a movie or script, you may work in a group of no more than five students. You may work with students from my other classes and include any non-graded “extras” (including family members, friends, or pets) you desire, provided no more than five students will receive grades from me. If you choose to write a short story, you must complete the work as an individual.
· In order to meet the requirements of the prompt, you will need to decide upon an original setting, and then translate the major characters, plot, and important details to this new time period and location. It should still be obvious to your audience that you are retelling the classic tale of Beowulf, even though the names of characters and places may be changed in order to fit the new setting.
· If you choose to create a movie or live skit, you must compose an original script containing all of the dialogue for your project. Your script should have a creative title, be typed, and include the names and class periods of all of the students in your group.
· If you create a movie or live skit, your production must last a minimum of five minutes, not including credits or other elements which do not demonstrate an understanding of the epic. If you choose to write the individual short story, you must compose a minimum of three complete pages and follow MLA format (see the writing prompt for our first essay for the requirements of MLA format). You may choose to interpret one or more of the major battles in Beowulf, including the fight with Grendel, his mother, and/or the fire dragon.
· If you choose to create the movie or script, you are required to include costumes, props, and other visual devices to bring your setting and story to life. You may also choose to include music. If you choose to write the short story, you must create a cover that includes the title, your name, and a high-quality illustration.
· Regardless of your choice in format, your project should be free of errors. Lines should be memorized and clearly spoken, scenes should appear well-planned and rehearsed, and scripts or short stories should be free from grammatical errors. Keep in mind that poor audio or video in movies or skits, as well as poor grammar in the short story, may obscure meaning and make it difficult for me to assess your understanding.
· Grading will be assessed using four key categories, each of equal weight: Overall Quality, Creativity/Originality, Costumes/Props/Illustrated Cover, and Understanding of Beowulf. This project will be worth a possible 50 points.
E12: Beowulf Project Rubric
_____ (10) Overall Quality (project meets or exceeds the stated guidelines and requirements)
- Original script
- Length requirement of five minutes or three pages
- Overall quality (video, audio, grammatical)
_____ (10) Creativity/Originality (project includes original ideas; project includes a well-organized and easily discernible plot and well-developed setting which are appropriate to the task)
_____ (10) Costumes/Props/Illustrated Cover (extensive and appropriate use of costumes, props, and other devices which add to the overall quality and detail of the production; for short stories, the cover is of good quality and demonstrates obvious effort)
_____ (20) Understanding of Beowulf (project/short story demonstrates an obvious, insightful understanding of the major elements in the epic)
_____ (50) Overall Score