Who is the perfect epic heroine based on your definition?

MATERIALS
The only materials you are to use to write this paper are the three class texts.
This is the definition of epic hero given in the mid-term paper. This gives some idea of what your definition should look like.
A hero is the (1) central male figure in a literary text. In epics, a hero is often a (2) mythological or legendary figure, often (3) of divine descent, often with at least one parent who is divine. The hero manifests (4) great strength or ability and is an (5) illustrious, battle-tested warrior, who shows (6) great courage, but who (7) may act rashly at times. The (8) battles are often, though not always, (9) with monsters. (10) The exploits of epic heroes play out (11) over both time and space, and often involve (12) journeys with definite goals. In the course of these journeys, epic heroes (13) often have a guide, often a divine personage who assists them. These heroes (14) meet women characters who serve to try to tempt them away from their goals. At some point in the exploits of the hero, the (15) hero generally descends into a place of darkness, often the underworld. Epic heroes (16) do not fail. They (17) meet their goals and are (18) admired at the national level (that is by their nation or people) (19) for their achievements and noble qualities.
Your essay should be written in MLA style. It should include (Book #/ Line #) citations whenever you reference any characteristic of a character. For example, if you say that Helen is adulterous, be prepared to cite to a specific place in The Iliad that shows this.
Use this link as your guide to writing this paper: The OWL at PURDUE MLA PAGE (Links to an external site.).
HELP
You may use the Writing Center at WSU to get help with this paper. There is also additional help available through the etutoring described herein: Online Writing Support Through eTutoring.org (Links to an external site.)
Save all your etutoring documents until after the class is over. I reserve the right to ask for this information if I need it in the grading process. Etutoring is a wonderful program, but you should plan on giving the etutor 72 hours advance notice. As with all tutoring, don’t waste your tutor’s time. Bring the actual assignment (this page) to the etutoring conference. NOTE: Neither the Writing Center nor the etutoring service provides editing service.
I am always available and happy to help on assignments.
No other help is allowed for this assignment.
100 POINT RUBRIC.
There are three categories of descriptors in this rubric. Each has several descriptors listed in the category.
2-3 points will be deducted for problems with each of the listed descriptors.
Example: No page numbers = (-2 points),
If a problem is particularly egregious, up to 10 points may be deducted.
Examples: a paragraph that goes for one or more pages =(- 5 points)
Half of the points on the paper will be deducted if there are more than three problems in any one of the three categories.
If a problem involves anything to do with documentation of sources or plagiarism, all points on the paper will be deducted.
Example: No Works Cited page = (-100 points and free trip to the Dean of Students); You put in some little tidbit of analysis that you read on some webpage that clearly points to some outside source (ex: “Many commentators say . . . “ —- really? We haven’t read any commentators, but clearly you have. You can explain this to the Dean of Students.)
CATEGORY 1: HOLISTIC IMPRESSION AND READABILITY (33 pts.)
The overall impression is one of a smooth, clear, easy-to-read response written by someone who has clearly read all the texts and written a focused, well documented answer to the question. It is possible to read this paper one time through without stopping and having to figure out what you are trying to say. There is therefore “no cause for pause.” Please understand, your writing should not tax my reading skills or my patience in any way. Your obligation as a student and a writer is to produce something that can be read smoothly at one sitting.
CATEGORY 2: DEVELOPMENT (34 pts)
The answers to the points I ask you to address are clearly given.
Please read the information carefully. I want you to start by presenting a definition you have generated. That definition should have ten numbered characteristics. I want you to talk about three women with speaking parts, each from a different text we’ve read. I want you to discuss how well each woman does and doesn’t meet this definition you have created. I want you to support your claims with evidence from the text. I want you to pick one woman to be the winner of this contest: Who is the perfect epic heroine based on your definition?
I do want smooth transitions between points. This isn’t three separate essays. It is one essay with three well connected parts.
The organization of the answer begins with an introduction that presents your definition and a thesis statement that makes a central organizing point.
Supporting points are thoroughly made showing clearly that the writer has mined all useful examples and information from the texts.
Paragraphs have actual topic sentences.
Critical thinking is demonstrated throughout the paper. I want to see thought, clear understanding of the texts, and connections. This is not supposed to be some long ramble to summarize the texts. It’s supposed to be a bonafide connective exercise.