"The Rape of The Lock" in an Epic Unit

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 "The Rape of The Lock" was an interesting read I had in another class this semester. It was one that I actually found to be funny and interesting in a class I had determined was kind of mundane. It is a mock epic, and it would pair nicely in a unit of real epics. The students would be able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences of this mock-epic and a real epic. They would be able to see how the structures are the same, they would be able to see the role that the supernatural play in each of them, and it would be something funny and light-hearted to follow a real epic like "The Aeneid." (I mention this one because of how much I dislike Odysseus, though I guess his epic might actually pair better). Regardless of what real epic is taught, the function of the epic poem will still be similar and the students will be able to analyze the texts and see what makes one real, and what makes one a mockery. A fun activity the students might enjoy doing is outlining their own mock epic. If I had studied a mock epic after reading "The Odyssey," I undoubtedly would have written my own mockery of Odysseus and had a lot of fun with it. I think that this mock epic poem has a lot of potential for the classroom, as it will add comedy to a rather extensive, action packed unit, and give a perfect window of opportunity for the students to show their learning in a creative manner.

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