Homage Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: SL.9-10.4-6

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

An homage is a work of literature or a presentation that is dedicated to honoring someone or something. The focus of the work is in displaying a great deal of respect and a form of tribute to this entity. While this concept might seem overbearing towards someone or something it actually is very helpful for others as a source of inspiration and possible motivation. If well respected authors or speakers highlight or celebrate people or things that are truly unique, it communicates to others that may want to better understand what makes these people or things so unique and special. The worksheets that you will find here will help students explore this form of presentation regardless of the medium used to express this.

Homage Worksheets To Print:

Introduction - We explore the concept and look at an example.

Brainstorm - This is a worksheet you may choose to work with instead of the introduction if students have a good handle on it.

Pastiche and Parody - Take your time to review these other two related concepts.

Paragraph Plug Ins - Use words from the box to complete the paragraph. You may use words more than once.

Parody - Give an example. Use the library, the internet, or any other resources you may have available. You may also reference works of art you are familiar with, like books, songs, movies, plays, etc.

Popular Culture - Have you seen an example of this in a movie, song, television show, or book?

How to Write One - This will prep you for composing your very own work.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Read the opening scene of the novel version of the play. Include text evidence in your response to this task.

Paradise Lost - Break down a few scenes and make sense of how it relates to this concept.

Find an Example - You can use the library, the Internet, social media, or any other sources you may have access to.

Tribute - See if you can make sense of how these differ.

In Literature - We see if we can understand the significance of using this in literature.

My Art - Identify the work of art or the artist that you would like to draw about.

5 Topics - You choose from 5 topics to decide on what type of work to create.

Open - You will take your time to compose your very own work.

What is an Homage in Literature?


We often see authors pay their respects to their inspiration by including homage at the starting of their books. But what is a homage, and why should you use it?


Homage is a term that refers to paying extra attention to or respecting someone in public. It is derived from Latin and French, according to its etymology. The initial Latin term was "homo," which developed into "hominaticum" before being adopted by the French as homage. This concept was popularized by Medieval English as homage, which meant to pay exceptional respect and humility to someone. It is also used as a noun to express a public declaration of political loyalty.


It implies constructing something in the name of another great writer to pay respect to them in literary terms. It may be composing a poem or a short narrative. It is also not uncommon for authors to create something new by getting inspired by the works of the author they want to pay homage to.

 

Origins of the Word


Homage comes from the Latin word homo-, which means "man." A king's male subject might become the king's vassal by declaring their loyalty to the king publicly in mediaeval times. The two formed an unbreakable tie, with the vassal's responsibility being to adore and serve his lord and the lord's role being to protect the vassal and his family.

 

How to Add an Homage to Your Work


We occasionally see writers or TV, and film filmmakers give "shout outs" by mimicking, utilizing, or acknowledging another author they appreciate or respect in some way. A tribute is essentially an improved shout out, and there are several examples in literature and on-screen.


For starters, authors frequently create works in which they pay respect to other authors or artists whose work has had a significant effect on their own. Remember the 'shout out' concept—you're paying tribute to someone or something. Let's pretend you're a major admirer of Alfred Hitchcock's horror films. As a tribute to him and his work, you might make your own horror film, or you could even film your rendition of one.


Although tribute in literature does not involve mimicry or imitation, it is apparent that writers occasionally pay homage by stealing things from other writers and putting them in their works. Readers may conclude that the writers have only borrowed ideas and are not original as a result of such plagiarism.


This remaking and creating of the classics, however, has been going on since antiquity. Characters, traits, and other thematic themes are all copied by the writers, in addition to styles and diction. Such innovations and recreations continue to inspire new readers and pupils to be creative. By focusing on such difficulties, literary readers are able to consider the greater context of the time in which the works are situated and criticized.