Annotated Bibliography of a Tragic Hero
Budget: $10 – $30 USD
In Lesson 2, you read a fictional play based on the real-life of two tragic heroes—Julius Caesar himself, and his supposed friend. Marcus Junius Brutus. In this assignment, you will choose one of these historical figures and research his true story looking for specific information that supports that he was indeed a tragic hero. You will create an annotated bibliography of 5 sources from which you gathered your information. See the example document to help you fully understand what is required in an annotated bibliography in terms of formatting.
STEP 1: Choose Caesar OR Brutus
STEP 2: Research
Read about your chosen figure using the sources listed below. You will pick 5 of these sources to use for your annotated bibliography.
Marcus Junius Brutus
Julius Caesar
Britannica.com
Ancient History Encyclopedia
Biography.com
History.com
Livius.org
Biography.com
“The Real Story Behind the Assassination of Julius Caesar”
History Learning Site
MIT Classics: Marcus Brutus
Britannica.com
Ancient History Encyclopedia
Eye Witness to History
RomanEmpire.net
Livius.org
AncientHistory.about.com
BBC History
History News Network
STEP 3: Characteristics of a Tragic Hero
Read through the various sources, and identify evidence from each one that shows this historical figure was a tragic hero. Use the chart below to assist you.
Find evidence in your research that tells about 5 of the following traits/characteristics:
Flaw or error in judgment
A reversal of fortune brought about because of the hero’s error in judgment
The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero’s own actions
Excessive Pride
The character’s fate must be greater than deserved
Suffers more than he deserves
Doomed from the start, but bears no responsibility for possessing his flaw
Noble in nature, but imperfect so that the audience can see themselves in him
He discovers his fate by his own actions, not by things happening to him
His story arouses fear and empathy (you actually feel sorry for him)
Physically or spiritually wounded by his experiences, often resulting in his death
He is intelligent so he may learn from his mistakes
Faced with a very serious decision to make
STEP 4: Write the Annotated Bibliography (SEE EXAMPLE below)
Cite each source (one at a time) with a paragraph below that citation explaining how the source shows us that the historical figure possessed a particular trait/characteristic of a tragic hero.
STEP 1: Choose Caesar OR Brutus
STEP 2: Research
Read about your chosen figure using the sources listed below. You will pick 5 of these sources to use for your annotated bibliography.
Marcus Junius Brutus
Julius Caesar
Britannica.com
Ancient History Encyclopedia
Biography.com
History.com
Livius.org
Biography.com
“The Real Story Behind the Assassination of Julius Caesar”
History Learning Site
MIT Classics: Marcus Brutus
Britannica.com
Ancient History Encyclopedia
Eye Witness to History
RomanEmpire.net
Livius.org
AncientHistory.about.com
BBC History
History News Network
STEP 3: Characteristics of a Tragic Hero
Read through the various sources, and identify evidence from each one that shows this historical figure was a tragic hero. Use the chart below to assist you.
Find evidence in your research that tells about 5 of the following traits/characteristics:
Flaw or error in judgment
A reversal of fortune brought about because of the hero’s error in judgment
The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero’s own actions
Excessive Pride
The character’s fate must be greater than deserved
Suffers more than he deserves
Doomed from the start, but bears no responsibility for possessing his flaw
Noble in nature, but imperfect so that the audience can see themselves in him
He discovers his fate by his own actions, not by things happening to him
His story arouses fear and empathy (you actually feel sorry for him)
Physically or spiritually wounded by his experiences, often resulting in his death
He is intelligent so he may learn from his mistakes
Faced with a very serious decision to make
STEP 4: Write the Annotated Bibliography (SEE EXAMPLE below)
Cite each source (one at a time) with a paragraph below that citation explaining how the source shows us that the historical figure possessed a particular trait/characteristic of a tragic hero.