Download Anthology of Classical Myth, Metamorphoses - Topics for Essay | TRAD 104 and more Papers Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity! TRAD 104 (Classical Mythology) Spring, 2008 Topics for Essay #1 Paper Due 3/7/08 Write a two to three page essay on one of the topics below. Avoid excessive plot summaries. Use specific examples. Citations should be made by book and line number for the Metamorphoses or Odyssey (i.e. 9.32-35). Citations from Anthology of Classical Myth or the plays of Euripides may be made by page number. Do not quote extensively from the text (no more than two lines for each quotation, please). You do not need to respond to each prompt in a specific topic. Your essays will be graded on the basis of thesis (22 pts), examples (16 pts) and mechanics (12 pts). All papers must be submitted in paper form, typed and double-spaced (no email attachments). Please use a 12 point font with reasonable margins. Late papers will be penalized a letter grade for every day they are late, beginning at 11:05 am on March 7th. 1) Select one god or goddess of your choice (Zeus, Apollo, Demeter, etc.) and choose at least two texts in which we have seen them appear. Is the god/goddess portrayed any differently, or does the portrayal and characterization remain the same? If the portrayal has changed, why do you think it is different? Cite specific examples from the text. Remember that the gods and goddesses have a Greek and Roman name. Therefore, you could consider the depiction of Zeus in the Theogony and Jupiter in the Metamorphoses. 2) Discuss the role of Prometheus in at least two of the texts that we have read. What is the role of Prometheus in the universe of Greek myth? Is his role positive or negative? Why do you think different authors have such different views of Prometheus? Are there other characters in Greek myth who seem to replace Prometheus and his role in the universe? 3) Monster-killing plays an important role in some Greek myths. Why is monster-killing important? What is the significance of monster-killing? Are there common traits that monster killers seem to share? If so, what is the significance of these common traits? 4) What is the role of mankind in Greek mythology? Are the gods sympathetic to mankind? How was mankind created? What does the creation of mankind tell us about the character of humans? What is the relationship of humans to gods? How can the gap between mortals and immortals be bridged? 5) Discuss the attributes of the exogamic suitor as displayed by at least two mythical characters. What is the exogamic suitor seeking? How do others react to the exogamic suitor? Is his quest positive or negative for society? Are there any special qualities an exogamic suitor should have in order to achieve success? Are there any dangers that the exogamic suitor commonly encounters? A note on plagiarism: Plagiarism is a violation of the University of Arizona’s Code of Student Conduct. Plagiarism is defined by the University as follows: “representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own.”
