3. Problems and Resolutions in Legends

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3. Problems and Resolutions in Legends
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Aim of Lessonby the end of this lesson you
should be able to

• Think creatively about ways to solve problems.

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All stories have problems and resolutions. Can
you identify the problems and resolutions in the
following well known stories?
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Click on the text to find out what the problem
and resolution is.
Shrek
Cinderella
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Shreks problem is that his precious solitude is
suddenly shattered by an invasion of annoying
fairy-tale characters.
There are blind mice in his food, a big, bad wolf
in his bed, three little homeless pigs and more,
all banished from their kingdom by the evil Lord
Farquaad. He, along with the other cartoon
characters are being forced out of their homes in
the forest.
Shrek
His problem is resolved when the dragon eats Lord
Farquaad. But what mini problems and resolutions
take us to the end? Can you think of any?
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This is a tricky one depending on the film or
book version! In the film both of the main
characters Charlie and Willy Wonka have
separate problems that are resolved together.
Charlie is very poor and doesnt have enough food
for his family, Willy Wonka is very sad and has
no family but desperately wants one. Together
they resolve their problems, Charlie and his
family go to
live in the factory grounds and they become a
sort of family to Willy Wonka. But there are
lots of other characters and lots of other events
(mini problems and resolutions) throughout the
story. Can you remember any?
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Cinderellas problem is that her mother has died
and her father has remarried someone who is mean
to Cinderella.
Cinderella
Cinderella is forced to work in the house as a
servant and is very unhappy. Cinderellas
problem is resolved when she marries a prince,
however there are lots of other mini problems and
resolutions throughout the story. Can you think
of any?
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The following is part of a Greek legend -
The Legend of Odysseus. Odysseus has a problem.
Can you help him to resolve it?
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The Cyclops were a feared nation of giants each
with a huge eye in the middle of their forehead.
The men started to explore when suddenly a
cyclops saw them. He looked around at the
sailors. Odysseus told him that they were
shipwrecked and asked for shelter and food. He
ate two of the men then locked them in his cave
by rolling a huge stone across the door.
Click on the objects below to see how they helped
Odysseus escape.
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Odysseus tried to gain his freedom by offering
Cyclops three bags of wine. The Cyclops drank the
wine then fell into a deep sleep. While he was
asleep Odysseus and his men tried to work out how
to escape. They knew that they would all be eaten
for supper.
They sharpened a tree trunk into a point and
blinded the Cyclops while he slept.
Part of the problem is resolved, the Cyclops is
now blind so he will not be able to see Odysseus
and his men.
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They tied the sheep in threes and hung a man
underneath each threesome. The Cyclops ran his
hand over their backs but missed the men
underneath and so they escaped.
They got back to their boat, took some of the
sheep to help out with the food for their journey
and continued on their way home. However this
wasnt the end of the journey!The Cyclops cursed
Odysseus and asked his father the sea-god
Poseidon to drown Odysseus or, if that was not
possible, to make Odysseus' journey home as
dangerous as possible. Poseidon did just that -
but that is another story.
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How to Write a Legend
Settings Sights Sounds Smells Feelings Powerful
words

Beginnings Who? When? Where? Why?
Theme Good v Bad
Characters Strange features Sounds Actions Powers
Problems
Exit