Christopher Marlowe's Poems Lesson Plan

Epic Conventions

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

Students will define the conventions of epic poetry and identify them in Marlowe's translation of "Lucan's First Book."

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2

Structure:

Provide the class with a list of epic conventions and ask them to identify at least five in Marlowe's translation of Lucan's First Book. Suggest that each investigation include the definition of the convention along with a textual example from the poem. Each presentation should conclude with a statement of the value of epic poetry.