Essays and Research Papers on Ancient Literature

This 7 page paper looks at a variety of issues, but in particular fate and divine justice, and focuses on how they are conveyed through the two infamous works. Various issues of religion and philosophy are explored. Concepts of fate and divine justice are defined and discussed. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

An 8 page paper which examines the similarities between the creation stories in Genesis, Enuma Elish, and Gilgamesh. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page discussion of the manner in which Puritan belief shaped Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Scarlet Letter”. The author of this paper asserts that the Puritans have been instrumental throughout history in shaping many aspects of our society. This influence is reflected extensively in both the fictional and historical literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The ...

This 5 page report discusses the fact that Uncertain vision serves as a unifying theme in both Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex” and Shakespeare’s “Othello” but there is a difference in how each of the authors present their characters’ overall vision and the direction of that vision. What they perceive or understand is not necessarily what they ...

This 5 page report discusses the fact that Sophocles created a reality in his dramas which also addressed issues of the day in terms of how the individual interacts and relates with the collective or the community of which they are a member and to which they must often acquiesce. In his stories of both ...

A 5 page paper which examines the historical significance of this stanza, as it relates to the city of Florence during the thirteenth century. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

This 6 page paper looks at the epic poem Beowulf and views the protagonist as a hero. Much evidence is provided for the thesis and several quotes from the work are included. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 5 page paper compares two unlikely heroes: Don Quixote in Cervante's book Don Quixote, and Odysseus in Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. The paper attempts to demonstrate that, although the stories are quite different on the surface, there are similiar characteristics between both heroes. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 14 page paper examines the background of the Greek god Herakles and how this mythalogical figure is depicted in art. Additionally, this paper examines whether various pieces of art depicting Herakles depict a consistant image.

This paper examines the three estates, or castes that Geoffrey Chaucer pokes fun at in his 13th century book. Bibliography lists two sources.

An 8 page paper which examines Milton’s “Paradise Lost” in terms of elements which support Milton’s “grand style.” Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 6 page paper which critically analyzes the ancient Irish tale “How Ronan Slew His Son.” The paper examines how the story presents us with elements or themes that are common and which describe the inherent weaknesses of mankind. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines why Machiavelli’s examinations of human nature and politics presented in “The Prince” offended so many people during his time. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the passage in which Sir Gawain dresses for mass and to make his way to the Green Chapel and his contest with the Green Knight, considering the symbolic significance of his attire, along with the five-pointed star of truth, as devised by Solomon. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page paper which some of the epic poem’s literary ideas, such as what is revealed in recurrent patterns of imagery; the nature and role of a character or group of characters; the structure or organizational principle of the work; the social, political and/or moral dynamics of the text; the significance of events; character ...

A 5 page paper which examines how the story of Oedipus the King is a tragedy. Bibliography lists 1 additional source.

An 8 page paper which examines Homer’s Odyssey as it presents a sort of behavioral manual for the time period in terms of one’s reputation, social expectations, and other social conditions of the time. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 6 page paper supports the thesis that the author created strong women in this infamous book. Several characters are explored in depth and quotes from the book are included. The role of beauty in the work is also highlighted. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which examines the theme of masculinity versus femininity. No additional sources are used.

A 5 page paper which examines the personality and function of the Host as revealed by his description in the “General Prologue” and the part he plays before and after the individual tales. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page paper which examines the concept of heroes and heroism in Virgil’s “Aeneid” and Cervantes’ “Don Quixote.” No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses Homer's Odyssey. This particular chapter references Hell and many specific quotes are used to support information presented in the paper. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

This 14 page paper provides an overview of the work along with an analysis of different versions of this epic poem. Gilgamesh is also evaluated from a Freudian perspective as well as the perspective of Nietzsche, among others. Various aspects of the work, inclusive of language used, are explored. Bibliography lists 9 sources. ...

A 5 page paper presenting an historical, albeit fictitious, conversation among these three authors. The works being discussed are: Whitman's Crossing Brooklyn Ferry; Auster's City of Glass and Kerouac's On the Road. The writers discuss symbolism and similarities and differences among these three works. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” Book IV, lines 32-113. The paper examines how this section of the story shapes our understanding of what has come before and what will follow. No additional sources cited.