Essays and Research Papers on Ancient Literature

A five page paper looking at these three Norse sagas in terms of their attitude toward female characters. The paper argues that "Njal's Saga" and "Laxdaela's Sagas" show remarkably modern and equitable attitudes toward women, while "Hrafnkel's Saga" is extremely chauvinistic. No additional sources.

A 5 page paper discussing portrayal of natural events relating to human nature as provided by Dante, Shakespeare, Sophocles and Homer. The images portrayed here all can be related to conditions of the human mind at various stages. Emotions can take the form of the churning sea that the master calms, they can result in murder in ...

Milton explains at the very beginning of Paradise Lost that the story is concerned with the fall of Adam and Eve. This 3 page paper explores the use of imagery and symbols that Milton uses to manipulate the reader's perception of Satan in Book One. No additional sources are listed.

This 5 page report discusses Aldous Huxley’s 1932 novel “Brave New World” and Sophocles’ ancient text of “Oedipus the King” in terms of the trials that take place in both. Greek drama was written and produced with a determination to present an insight or an awareness to the audience that either caused the members of the audience to examine their own ...

A 5 page paper which examines the origins and significance of "The Book of Kells" in an attempt to reveal the essence of its appeal, which has endured for centuries. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This six-page-paper describes the use of animal imagery in Othello as well as a book called Goodnight Desdemona. Bibliography lists two sources.

This six page paper presents a discussion on the validity of the Shakespearean play, A Midsummer's Night Dream, being presented in a Victorian Era setting during later versions. Bibliography lists one source.

A 5 page paper which analyzes the literary criticism which considered the primary theme of moral truth, represented by the pentangle in the poem, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." Bibliography lists 7 sources.

This 5 page report uses the character of Medea and presents an argument in her behalf or an “apologia” that follows the logic and reasoning of Gorgias’ “Encomium of Helen.” To apply a persuasive apologia for Medea in a fashion similar to Gorgias’ dissertation for Helen requires that one consider the interpretation of the import of the crime and ...

7 pages in length. Compares Dante's Inferno to the works of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Cervantes' Don Quixote, and The Thousand and One Nights. The sins and punishments of each are treated differently, due mostly to the fact that the eras and the audiences change throughout time. Bibliography lists one source.

A 6 page paper which discusses the character of Hektor, from Homer's Iliad, and argues that he is a man that stands as a hero for all men. He is a fierce and loyal fighter, yet is also a very loyal and loving partner and father. He has his doubts, yet is sworn to his duty as a ...

This 5 page paper considers the nature of the role of women in Beowulf and The Romance of Tristan and assesses how women are both expendable and centralized in these examples of medieval literature. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 6 page report discusses four classic works of the medieval timeframe and the concept of courtly love. Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, Beroul’s The Romance of Tristan, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by the mysterious “Gawain-Poet,” and Beowulf each shows the reader that it is important to understand that it was the subjective presentation of either the lovers’ ardor ...

An 8 page paper which examines the how Medieval concepts of women's roles and marriage are revealed through the character of Griselda in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Clerk's Tale." Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 6 page paper which examines the differing views of what women want, as expressed in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Wife of Bath's Tale." Specifically considered are how what the wife and other women want differ from Medieval expectations of what a "true" lady was supposed to be. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how the ancient tablets known as the "Epic of Gilgamesh" reveals how the early peoples of Mesopotamia viewed life and death. Specifically considered are how they regarded their leaders and women, the historical significance of Enkidu and his change, what Utnapishtim's story and other parts of the epic ...

A 5 page paper which examines the significance of the creatures Grendel, Grendel's mother and the dragon in the heroic conflict featured in the Medieval epic, "Beowulf." No additional sources are used.

This 5 page paper argues that Odysseus is portrayed as a man whose cunning will stop at nothing in order to complete the mission to return Philoctetes, Neoptolemus and the weapons of Hercules to the battle at Troy. He lies, cheats, seems to be without sympathy or empathy for the suffering old man and is willing to manipulate Neoptolemus ...

This 5 page paper looks at the augment used by Callicles that as long as he does not get caught any behaviour is acceptable in pursuit of his own happiness. Plato has Socrates refuting of this statement and arguing that to suffer wrong is better that to be the cause of wrong. This paper ...

This 4 page paper looks at the political book entitled The Prince written in 1515 by Machiavelli for the Medici family. The book is often interpreted as a handbook on state-craft which gives instructions to leader on the best way to act politically. The controversy over the book arose because of the lack of morals ...

A 7 page paper which discusses several aspects of the stories "Gilgamesh" and "Beowulf" as they involve heroism, good, evil, and general intent. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper considers the way that fate is portrayed and used in Oedipus the King by Sophocles. The paper argues that Sophocles shows us fate as an unavoidable force that man cannot avoid or evade. Quotes from the text are used to support the arguments raised. The bibliography cites 1 source.

A 5 page paper which discusses the overall theme and purpose of Ramayana. Bibliography lists 3 additional sources.

3 pages in length. The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight possesses many important components that, if not taken in their direct context, will be overlooked by the average reader. It is essential to also look beyond the author's obvious intention with regard to the story's overall meaning so as not to ...

A five page paper looking at the role of oracles and fate in the ancient literature of these cultures. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of oracles in the mythical lives of Gilgamesh, Oedipus, and Achilles. Bibliography lists six sources.