Essays and Research Papers on (All) Literature

A 9 page paper positioning Petrarch as a transition figure between medieval and Renaissance, but ultimately one whose conclusions about existence are firmly grounded in medieval thought. The paper focuses on Petrarch's literary criticism and letters, particularly the 'Letter to Posterity' and 'The Ascent of Mt. Ventoux', and is both historical and literary in orientation. ...

8 pages in length. When comparing Athenian democracy to imperialism, it is essential to evaluate how the two elements played out in their political history. Thucydides' account of Athenian democracy provides the reader with a significant understanding of why their democratic decision making may have been inherently flawed; if the quality of Athenian ...

This 5 page research paper examines Aristotle's definition of tragedy in his essay, Poetics. Specifically discussed are how Aristotle's interpretation of tragedy is expressed in two classic Greek plays, Antigone by Sophocles, and Agamemnon by Aeschylus. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper in which the writer examines repeating themes in the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles,and Euripides. The Greek chorus is viewed as multi-faceted leavening agent. Bibliography lists 0 sources.

A 15 page research paper that examines the life of Aristotle and also his influence on Western civilization. The writer traces his life from what little is known of his background and early life through his tutelage of Alexander the Great and the founding of the Lyceum. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines Aristotle's concept of ‘organic unity,' as defined in his work, Poetics, and by analyzing the plot functions of the characters Tiresias in the play, Oedipus the King, by Sophocles, and Cassandra in the play, Agamemnon, by Aeschylus. Specifically compared and contrasted are how these characters do or do ...

An 8 page research paper that examines the mythological origins of the Egyptian goddess Isis. The writer looks at what part she played in Egyptian society. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 6 page paper comparing Plato & Aristotle's views on political order and justice with those of Cicero. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A short 3 page overview of differences and similarities that exist between Cicero's letter to Atticus and Pliny the Younger's letters to Trajan. No sources listed.

A 5 page summarization of major themes in Thucydides accounts of the Peloponnesian War. This paper presents the historical perspective prior to the onset of the war. It also contains consideration of the major thematic considerations of the era, including focus on democracy, morality, ambition, leadership and wealthy. The primary source is cited.

A 4 page paper that considers the representation of culture presented by Thucydides in his work The Peloponnesian War. This paper demonstrates the differences between Sparta and Athens that led to the war, as well as the perceptions of culture in other city states. Bibliography lists no additional sources.

A 5 page paper discussing Heracles [later renamed 'Hercules ' by the Romans]. The themes of the stories and adventures of Heracles have all the makings of a great action/adventure television show. Bibliography lists four sources.

This 5 page paper discusses the myth of Hercules (Heracles) and compares it with the myth of Diana (Artemis). Each character was undeniably heroic and each based their standards of behavior on ideals much larger than their own individuality. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page research paper which examines the behavior of the chorus in the play and the reasons behind their continued reverence for a deity who pledges brutal revenge against their ruler. Bibliography lists one source.

A 5 page research paper comparing 'Medea' with Penelope in 'The Odyssey.' The writer posits and shows that while Penelope is the 'little woman,' true to the image of a loving, dedicated wife, Medea represents the opposite in Euripides' play. Both of these are important to religious and cultural myths. However, even ...

This 4 page research paper compares and contrasts the presentation of women's' natures and their role in Greek society in Medea (431 B.C.) by Euripides and Lysistrata (411 B.C.) by Aristophanes. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 9 page paper showing how there was a serious purpose behind Aristophanes' comic works. The paper looks at two works in particular -- 'The Clouds' and 'The Birds' -- and, using some analysis by Aristotle and Freud on how comedy works, examines how Aristophanes used the force of comedy to show his countrymen the ...

A 5 page paper discussing two stories in Ovid's Metamorphoses, "Apollo and Daphne" and "Pyramus and Thisbe." In an attempt to prove that these stories are tragedies, a definition of tragedy is provided and a number of examples from the book are excerpted. The primary source is cited.

A 6 page paper on Petronius' short fable, 'The Widow Of Ephesus.' The writer describes how Petronius satirizes, grief, crucifixion and fidelity and discusses the importance of Roman funeral practices. Bibliography lists 6 sources. Bibligoraphy lists 6 sources.

A 6 page paper comparing the conversion experiences of Lucius, the main character of Apuleius' Golden Ass, with St. Augustine. The writer examines Book 8 of the Confessions alongside Book 11 of the Golden Ass, and finds points of correspondence between each. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper discussing 'Confessions' by St. Augustine. He was a great figure in the past who illustrated, through 'Confessions,' that his life had not always followed one path, other than the path to seek truth. His ideas concerning the material, physical, natural world, as well as his beliefs surrounding Neoplatonic and Christianity are ...

A 5 page paper discussing 'The Golden Ass' by Lucius Apuleius which is the only work of fiction in Latin to have survived from antiquity. No additional sources are cited.

A 5 page paper that provides an overview of metaphor, specifically bird metaphors, that are utilized to represent the tragedy of the young in the first play of the Oresteia. Bibliography lists no additional sources.

A 5 page paper that discusses Cassandra's rendering of the play within the play, which describes the plot and the the story through the imagery of her words. No additional sources cited.

4 page-long essay comparatively analyzing the differences between finale for the Chorus in Greek tragedy's 'Agamemnon' and Hazel Motes in Flannery O'Connor's 'Wise Blood.' No bibliography.