Essays and Research Papers on Classic Literature

A 5 page essay that discusses the role of Jocasta in Oedipus Rex. The writer argues that Sophocles uses his characterization of Jocasta, Oedipus' wife/mother, to underscore the principal themes of the play. Jocasta is a powerful maternal figure in the saga, representing ancient Greek values that defined fealty to the family as one of ...

A 3 page essay that discusses Desiderius Erasmus' 1516 text The Praise of Folly, which offers a brilliantly satirical look at his contemporary society that not only outlines the foibles and hypocrisies of various professions during the sixteenth century, but also subtly implies the virtues that Erasmus values. Examination of Erasmus' message shows it to ...

This 5 page paper discusses the roles gods, oracles and dreams play in the lives of the leaders Xerxes, Cambyses and Croesus, as described by Herodotus. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines Elizabeth Carey’s The Tragedy of Mariam: The Fair Queen of Jewry in relationship to themes and conditions for women today. No additional sources sited.

A 6 page analysis of Juan Ruiz’ The Book of Good Love. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page paper which looks at Medieval magic and examines the presence of such magic in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 3 page paper which compares and contrasts the character of Sir Gawain and the character of the Green Knight from the epic story. Bibliography lists 1 additional source.

A 5 page paper which examines vows, oaths, and the importance of oaths in “Gawain and the Green Knight.” The paper focuses on the notion of vows and oaths as it applies to modern society and especially vows of marriage. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines how women are depicted in Homer’s Odyssey and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page analysis of Oedipus in Sophocles’ “Oedipus the King.” No additional sources cited.

A 3 page description of Hell. The author suggests that hell is not only a physical place but it is a conceptual place, a place where people suffer but also a place that inspires others to seek salvation. Bibliography lists 1 source.

This 7 page paper focuses on three thematic elements in this well known work by Plato. The three themes are knowledge, immortality and justice. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

3 pages in length. Exploring the common denominator that connects Hrothgar and Beowulf, one might readily point out the symbolic quest toward self-awareness inherent to each troubled individual. Hrothgar reflects upon what has occurred and - even though he professes appreciation - he nonetheless cautions Beowulf of the prideful monster that will eat ...

This 7 page paper examines Plato's Republic and explores thematic elements of justice, freedom and life. How each of these themes are used is explored. Quotes are included. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 3 page paper examines Plato's Apology and the Socratic method. Can Socrates both employ this method and believe in a god? This paper answers that question. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses the role women play in "The Iliad" when it comes to marriage and sexual relationships; it also discusses the ways in which they cause dissention and what we can infer about Homer's attitude towards women. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 4 page essay that discusses Wolfram von Eschenbach's thirteenth century German epic, in which there is an emphasis on a knight's honor that is directly associated with combat. In this epic, the hero, Parzival, is on a journey that takes him to the Holy Grail, but more importantly, he is also on a spiritual ...

A 5 page paper which examines the differences in the heroic figure in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which summarizes and analyzes the Shipman’s Tale in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. The paper then compares and contrasts elements of the Shipman’s Tale with the Wife of Bath’s Tale. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page research paper that address Thucydides' Peloponnesian War and the causes, interactions and diplomatic relations between Athens and Sparta, as listed in Book 1 that indicate Thucydides' opinions on the causes of this momentous conflict. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page essay that explicates Chaucer's description of the Shipman from the General Prologue to The Canterbury Tales. A close reading of Chaucer's description of the Shipman tells the reader a great deal about this man, such as where he stands in British society, and something of his character and political orientation. In so ...

In a paper consisting of sixteen pages which includes an abstract of one page and an outline of two pages these ancient Greek literary works by Aeschylus and Euripides are compared and contrasted. Eight sources are cited in the bibliography.

A 3 page paper which examines the similarities between the War in Iraq today and the war seen in Homer’s The Iliad. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 6 page paper which compares and contrasts the Cinderella story with the Disney cartoon film version. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines how Chaucer’s Franklin’s Tale demonstrates and incompatibility between courtly love and marriage. No additional sources cited.