Socials 8: Myths in History

The Enduring Power of Myth
            When historical and archeological evidence is limited, one way we can feel connected to the past is through the ancient myths.
A myth is a story about a heroic journey into danger, the testing of the hero’s courage and of the hero’s return. All myths are the same in this way. They include the famous myths of Beowulf  and King Arthur which tell of heroes from fifteen hundred years ago. These stories have been told and re-told  in many versions and are still popular today. They have also influenced popular modern myths like The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings andHarry Potter.
 
1.   INVESTIGATING
Find evidence that the stories of  Beowulf and King Arthur are still popular today.  Use the Rockridge Library's online catalogue and the Vancouver Public Library's online catalogue  and  Noodlebib to collect and record citations for

•         a version of the story of Beowulf  as a book published in your lifetime.
  
•         a version of the story of Beowulf as a film made in your lifetime.
  
•         a version of the story of King Arthur as a book published in your lifetime.
  
•         a version of the story of King Arthur as a film made in your lifetime.