Classics 15
First Paper

Due date: Monday, October 16, 2006. No late papers will be accepted. Length: Four to five printed, double-spaced pages.

Write on ONE of the following topics.

1. A central concern of Greek myths is the relationship between females and males. What assumptions about the nature of sexuality seem to be common to more than one myth encountered so far? Cite specific examples.

2. Aphrodite, Artemis, and Dionysos are all concerned with fertility, but in different ways. Compare and contrast myths of each deity, and show how these myths address different but complementary concerns.

3. For the Greeks Zeus was powerful but not omnipotent. It was difficult for him to establish his rule, since he had to bring order to a universe which already existed and establish both gods and human beings in the proper relationship with him.

Discuss various myths involving the establishing of Zeus' rule. Concentrate EITHER on Zeus' relationships with other gods and monsters OR on his relationship with the race(s) of human beings. Bring out both elements common to the myths and significant differences.

4.  Food has a striking importance in many of the myths we have encountered so far.  Compare and contrast various myths from this perspective.

 

Papers will be assessed as follows:

 

  1. Does the paper have a brief, clear title?
  2. Does the first paragraph state clearly the point of the paper?  Does the final paragraph clearly summarize its conclusions?
  3. Is the argument clearly and logically structured, with each paragraph building on the preceding one?
  4. Are there appropriate and significant references to the texts?
  5. Is the English clear and correct?
  6. Has the paper been carefully proofread?  Are the pages numbered?

 

Each of the topics involves comparisons and contrasts.  Be sure to avoid merely summarizing one story, then summarizing another.  Your own comments on the myths are crucial.

You need not refer to sources other than those assigned in the syllabus, but if you do, you must give a full bibliography. All sources, ancient or modern, must be properly cited (i.e., author, work, and, where possible, page or line number).  There is a bibliography on the course web site:    http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/classics/hansen/bibliography.htm