Essays and Research Papers on Ancient Literature

A 5 page paper which discusses the outstanding personal qualities and traits of Odysseus which enabled him to survive his many dangerous adventures so that he could return home. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

5 pages in length. Mary Shelley' Frankenstein utilizes several components in developing the characterization of protagonist Victor Frankenstein, which becomes quite clear when one examines character description, character behavior, other character's thoughts about him, as well as what he thinks about himself. In this precedence-setting novel, Shelley’s novel is more than it appears on ...

(5 pp). Digressions in Beowulf serve as "verbal doorways" which link the story and praise of Beowulf, to the larger picture of the Scandinavian world. The role of the scop or keeper of the tales will also be discussed.

A 5 page paper which discusses and classifies the women that appear in the Iliad. No additional sources cited.

5 pages in length. Paul K Moser's "Human Knowledge : Classical and Contemporary Approaches" comprehensively addresses the major areas of concern raised and points made by the traditional philosophers of knowledge as they relate to learning and gaining knowledge. As compared to modern day leadership principals and beliefs, one can readily perceive of ...

A 5 page paper which examines characteristics, beliefs, and behaviors of the ruler of Camelot, relying primarily upon his depiction in Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's 1960 musical (and 1967 film), "Camelot," based upon T.H. White's book, "The Once and Future King." Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 5 page paper looks at the way the gods are portrayed in two very different belief systems trough two literary works. By using Homer's 'The Iliad' and Saint Augustine's 'Confessions' the representational similarities and differences are discussed and explained. The bibliography cites 2 sources.

A six page paper which looks at the use of imagery in Homer’s Iliad, with particular reference to the epic simile and the ways in which it allows the poet to present a multi-faceted and complex elaboration of the basic narrative theme through the use of extended similes. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

(8pp). Our challenge in this discussion is to correlate the work of Chaucer, Dante and "The Legend of Good Women. Both texts present interesting clues to a solution. Bibliography lists 9 sources (1 visual)

Agamemnon and Achilles are two of the major actors in the epic drama, The Iliad. Homer has elected to present their inner character as both worthy of respect and, occasionally, of disdain. This 5 page paper examines the arguments made by Odysseus, Phoinix (Phoenix) and Aias (Ajax) to Achilles in an attempt to bring him back into the ...

A 10 page overview of these two classic plays. Makes the contention that each is just as representative of the literary genre of classic tragedy as is the other. Observes that each is a different twist on one man's perception of the concepts of hope, fate, and destiny. Emphasizes that Oedipus believed that ...

A 6 page paper which examines how justice is presented and how the concept differs in Aristophanes’ “The Clouds,” Plato’s “Apology” and “Crito,” Sophocles’ “Antigone,” and the Old Testament’s “Book of Job.” No additional sources are used.

(6 pp). The question posed for our discussion is how adultery leads to murder in Greek tragedies. Yet it seems that an important component has been left out of the equation: it is attitude on the part of the male, which leads to his murder, as much as does his breaking of his ...

A 9.5 page paper which examines how these works discuss issues of right and wrong; strong and weak; religion and politics; the role of women; and the attitudes of the Mesopotamians, Greeks and Western Europeans on courage, wisdom, and death. There is also an evaluation as to which of the heroes considered are most appealing, ...

This 5 page report discusses the stories of Antigone, Hippolyte, and Nora of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House.” Initially, “Antigone” appears to be an obvious story of political dilemmas focusing on civil disobedience and civic responsibility, rather than the personal development and revolution of one woman. Hippolyte is the mythological story of a great queen killed by Hercules. Nora Helmer ...

A 5 page outline of the chronology of the trials and tribulations faced by Odysseus in his travels. Provides a chronological list of thirteen major events. Expounds on the ancillary happenings associated with several of these events, detailing the importance of Athena in many of these events in particular. Bibliography lists 4 ...

This 5 page paper compares the 2000 film Gladiators with Homer's The Odyssey. Odysseus and Maximus are compared and contrasted. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines how fate fits into the concerns of the epic genre, what the nature of fate in these two works suggests about the human condition and the concept of heroism, and how the protagonists in each work react to and confront fate. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper which discusses social function as it is presented in ancient literature, that being 'The Epic of Gilgamesh,' 'The Odyssey,' and the Old Testament. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which examines the image of the tragic hero who fights and the motives that make him fight in both works. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page discussion of the events in “The Odyssey” which contributed to Odysseus’ physical, mental, and spiritual maturation. Notes that because these events were not presented by Homer chronologically in the order of when they occurred, it is difficult to assess the differing levels of maturation throughout the epic. Presents a chronological ...

This 9 page paper explores a variety of themes, the basic plot and characterization in this medieval work of unknown authorship. The message that the work sends to the knights of the day is a major part of the analysis. No additional sources cited

This 5 page paper looks at the classic work by Samuel Richardson and examines the role of the story towards the end of the happenings between Mr B and Sally, considering the value it adds to the story and whether or not this destabilises the story. The bibliography cites 1 source.

This 5 page paper considers this work, and looks at how Machiavelli see the role of ambition in the ancient civilisation of Rome. Unlike other works he see ambition as leading to harm for both the citizens and the state. This paper looks at how this is justified and the advice that he gives on ...

An 8 page paper which examines the sense of justice exhibited in the play. Bibliography lists 5 sources.