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ENG 2003.08
Spring 2008
Essay Topics
On Thursday, 14 February, you will write an essay during class time over one
of the following topics. I will choose the topic, so you should be prepared to
deal with any of them. You may use textbooks, notes, and outlines to help you
write. You should consider all of the concerns cited in the guidelines for
writing, and you will also be working under the pressure of time.
- 1. The Odyssey presents several attractive and powerful female
characters. Penelope stands out among these; in fact, Odysseus is willing to
give up immortality in order to return to her. Compare and contrast Penelope
with Calypso, Circe, and Nausicaa to reveal the qualities which might
convince Odysseus to prefer life with her over luxurious existence with any
of them.
- 2. One of the mottoes on the Temple to Apollo at the Greek city of
Delphi was "Know thyself"–in other words, be aware of your own strengths and
weaknesses. Which of the two Greek epic heroes whom we’ve encountered
(Achilles and Odysseus) exhibits the most self-knowledge. Be sure to define
what you mean by self-knowledge and that you indicate the particular point
in the epic hero’s development (if he’s a dynamic character) on which you’re
focusing.
- 3. Though they appear in different epics and encounter situations which
require different qualities, Achilles and Odysseus share many heroic
virtues. Identify and illustrate three similarities between the epic heroes
of The Iliad and The Odyssey.
- 4. Choose a hero from contemporary fiction (literature, television,
movies, graphic novels, etc.). Show how that hero fits the heroic mold
established by the homeric poet in his characterizations of Achilles and
Odysseus. To which of these two epic heroes is the contemporary figure more
similar?
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