Ms. Gokturk

Mythology

Character Study Portfolio

You have read many stories involving many characters this term. Mythology continues to have appeal to audiences because it addresses universal themes and reveals truths about human nature.

YOUR OBJECTIVE: Choose a character from the material we read and create a 1^st person point of view portfolio that reveals more to us about the characters as you have interpreted him/her.

GUIDELINES:

Your purpose:

• Re-tell the story through the character’s first person account so the real truth is revealed – the part omitted in the versions we read. This enables you to craft the theme to your liking: what do you want the story to reveal about human nature?

Choose a medium:

• Written portfolio
• Video Portfolio (Like E! True Hollywood Story or a 20/20 or Dateline Interview)

Choose a time for the narrative:

• Does your narrative occur before events we read, during, or some time after? Or does the narrative follow the character through all stages?

Choose a setting:

• Consider the Time:
• Modernize the story so it becomes more accessible to modern audiences.
• Keep the story in ancient times.
• Consider the location:
• Mt. Olympus? Schreiber? Where?

REQUIREMENTS:

Your written portfolio should include

• 1 alternative story (you might re-write a part of the story in 1^st person or the entire story): this serves as the rationale to your portfolio. Provide enough detail to give a clear and interesting understanding of the real story. Go further than Hamilton did – it’s 1^st person after all!
• 1 opinion column (600-1000 words); have a clear position that you defend
• 1 letter to a character or god: let out your raw emotions
• 1 poem or song: make us feel for you
• 1 cover with an illustration of some sort: Title, name, date
• This is a solo project

Your video portfolio should include

• The same elements as above, adapted to an interview format: the real story, opinion on an issue/event/topic, a direct address to another character/god, poem or song recited, costumes, and a clear title and credit “slide” that helps make the piece look like a real television program.
• Edited clips: it should look as close to professional as possible!
• Background sounds/music
• You may work in groups of 3 or less for this option

What we covered this semester:

• Creation Myths
• The Olympian Gods and Their Tales
• The Lesser Gods
• Hades
• Isis and Osiris
• Cybele and Attis
• Orpheus and Eurydice
• The Trojan Women
• The Bacchae
• Medea
• The Trojan War
• The Odyssey
• Hercules
• Perseus
• Theseus
• Cupid and Psyche
• Daedalus and Icarus
• Midas
• Daphne
• Pyramus and Thisbe
• Phaeton
• Pegasus and Bellerophon
• Atalanta
• Pygmalion & Galatea
• Oedipus
• Flower Myths: Narcissus, Adonis, Hyacinth
• Fairy Tales: Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Maiden without Hands