Essays and Research Papers on Ancient Literature

A 5 page paper which examines the genres and themes of each play. No additional sources are used.

A 5 page paper which discusses how a comedy like "Lysistrata" differs from a tragedy such as "Oedipus." Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

(5 pp) It is a sad thing that we feel that we cannot deal with ancient or medieval literature. It will be too hard, we whine. I will not understand it, we complain, and give ourselves an excuse, to not even try. Milton is speaking of true innocence of thought and body ...

A 5 page paper which discusses how women were portrayed in Euripides' "Hippolytus" and Homer's "Odyssey." The paper focuses on the characters of Penelope in "Odyssey" and Phaedra in "Hippolytus," arguing that these women are portrayed as individuals who are strong, as well as tragic victims. Bibliography lists 2 additional sources.

This 5 page paper suggests that Chaucer was really afraid of death. Evidence comes from three Canterbury Tales that are The Pardoner's Tale, The Miller's Tale and the Nun's Priest Tale. The stories are analyzed for common thematic elements, but each story stands on its own. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 6 page paper which illustrates the structure of Oedipus as it involves rising action, conflict, and climax. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

An 8 page essay that discusses the ways in which the character of Oedipus changes between Oedipus the King and Oedipus at Colonus. The writer argues that in these plays Sophocles delineated the evolution of a man's character as he evolved in response to incredibly hardship and pain over the course of his lifetime. No ...

Milton, within the second book of Paradise Lost presents an allegory or metaphorical parable to explain the existence of Sin And Death. This 5 page paper explores the use and purpose of the allegory. No additional sources are listed.

Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde is done in the form of a romantic tragedy as it was defined and elaborated upon by Aristotle. In a psychological drama, the attention of the audience is focused on the reactions of the characters to the situations presented. This 6 page paper explores the character of Pandarus. Bibliography lists 5 sources. ...

This 15 page report discusses the mythological aspects of the Star Wars movies and suggests two possible scenarios for development in terms of the overall plot of the stories. Recognizing that one of the reasons the movie series has been such a great success is because it follows a literary tradition that has been popular, literally for centuries, the “new” episodes ...

This 5 page paper considers how and why Beowulf can be considered a hero. The paper argues that it is more than deeds that marks a hero, but also the way in which they behave and relate to others. The paper uses quotes form the text to support this argument, going on to apply it ...

This 8 page paper provides an overview of the mediaeval work concerning King Arthur's knights who sought the Holy Grail. The significance of the Grail is defined and the legend is discussed. Christianity as it existed at the time is discussed. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page paper which discusses the themes of revenge and justice, as well as others, as seen in particular plays within Orestia. The plays examined are Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and the Eumenides. Bibliography lists 6 additional sources.

A 6 page paper which compares two translations of Beowulf. The translations are by Lucien Dean Pearson and Seamus Heaney. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

In his epic poem, The Aeneid, Virgil represents Aeneas as a man who is driven by the Gods to fulfill a fate chosen by them. This 5 page paper argues that Virgil ascribes responsibility for events to the Gods and frees the humans from any sense of guilt. No additional sources are listed.

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts the gods and magical creatures in the stories "Monkey" and "Gilgamesh." No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay that examines various perspectives on the guilt and innocence of Oedipus in the play by Sophocles. The writer examines several of these arguments, concluding that the ones favoring the viewpoint that Oedipus was guilty make the best argument. No bibliographical information available.

A 5 page paper which discusses how courtesy and the so-called code of honor are used in "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "The Miller's Tale." The paper discusses whether the courtesy and code are used righteously, or used for selfish and snobbish reasons. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which discusses the heroines in "Phaedra" and "Hedda Gabler." The paper compares how the two present the crises and the dilemmas and how they offer us an examination of the role of women in the 17th and the 19th century. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper looks at the concept of an odyssey and explores why it was a significant element in old fiction and fact. The concept is explored in modern times as well. Homer's Odyssey is discussed in detail. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 6 page paper takes a look at this unusual fantasy that contains many morals and much symbolism for which there are likely a variety of interpretations. The protagonist is evaluated. No additional sources cited.

(5 pp) No single continent or culture has an exclusive claim on dragons or dragon lore. The animals have survived in time and imagination. Just as an adventurer might claim land for his sovereign, a wise traveler would also know when dragons would be about, and then, even whisper to himself, ...

A 5 page paper which examines how Virgil is often frustrated and irritated with Dante as he attempts to teach him and guide him, much like a father teaches and guides a child. The paper discusses this level of irritation with Dante's mistakes, as well as discusses Virgil's pleasure with the successes and understandings that Dante achieves. No additional ...

The tale of Beowulf is interesting in both it's context and content. This 12 page paper argues that Beowulf and Hrothgar are presented as 'doubles' of the Christian belief, just as Heorot is meant to be a double for the Christian concept of heaven. The use of the uncanny and doubling technique is defined in terms of ...

5 pages in length. When examining Burton Raffel's Beowulf and the reflection is has upon the Anglo-Saxon dramatic society, one can readily detect a strong sense of New Historicism to its overall presence. When applying New Historicism to Raffel's Beowulf, it is easy to do so with regard to content and the overall ...