Essays and Research Papers on Greek & Roman Literature

A five page paper which looks at gender issues in the Medea of Euripides, in terms of convention in classical Greek drama, the character of Medea herself, and the ways in which patriarchal social codes mediated against the autonomy of women. Bibliography lists 5 sources

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 ...

A 5 page paper which discusses how Aristotle's Oedipus is a tragic hero. Aristotle's "Poetics" is cited. Bibliography lists 1 additional source.

5 pages in length. As the tragic hero and protagonist, Euripides' Electra is forced to come face to face with her own shortcomings, which ultimately cast upon her the tragic flaw that eventually leads to her downfall. In applying Aristotle's formula for tragedy to this play, facing opposition from within her own being is ...

A five page paper which looks at the conventions of classical Greek drama, with reference to the Oresteia of Aeschylus and the Theban Plays of Sophocles. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page essay that analyzes Sophocles' play, Oedipus the King, and the concept of justice as it is presented in this play. The writer argues that Sophocles pictured justice as retribution for the sin of hubris and also for the Laius' sin again family fealty. No additional sources cited.

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 explores drug and alcohol use in Homer's The Odyssey. Several examples are used including lotus-eating and indulging in what is now known as jimson weed. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 12 page research paper that examines the functions and purposes to which Greek playwrights employed messengers. The writer argues that were strict limitations pertaining to the kinds of settings that a playwright could employ and that messengers were frequently used to help overcome these deficiencies. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

The Inferno & The Odyssey – Comparing Characters: This 10-page comparative essay examines Inferno and The Odyssey by Dante Alighieri and Homer respectively with respect to their major characters. Life experience, character traits, etc. are all explored while illuminating the vast number of similarities/ contrasts that abound between these two bodies of work. ...

A 5 page paper which discusses various aspects of Homeric warfare. The aspects discussed include clothing, weaponry, troop information, and other various topics. The information provided pertains to the Iliad and the Odyssey. Bibliography lists 6 additional sources.

A 10 page research paper that examines two plays by Euripides, "The Bacchae" and "The Women of Troy." The writer argues that the Greeks expressed a finely tuned sense of humanity's place in the cosmos. By overstepping those boundaries, indulging in too much pride, or disregarding the subservience owed to the gods, one could ...

A 6 page discussion of the relative wisdom of these two key characters of Homers “Odyssey”. Asserts that while Odysseus had to definitely use his knowledge and cunning to make his way through the many challenges his trip dealt him, Penelope too had to use her knowledge to evade the ultimate trap which was ...

A 5 page paper which discusses personality traits of Odysseus, from Homer's "Odyssey," illustrating how he is a hero. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines how this tragic masterpiece articulates Sophocles’ religious notions, which serve as his greatest innovation. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

5 pages in length. The writer discusses fate in relation to Hector, Achilles and Antigone. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page essay that critically analyzes Aristophanes' comedy Lysistrata as a pro-feminist work. The writer points to such elements of the play as the strong characterization of the women, and the emphasis that Aristophanes put on their intelligence, insight, and perseverance. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page essay that analyzes the relationship of Achilles and Patroclus in Homer's Iliad. The writer argues that this friendship, first of all, aids Homer in characterization and also provides the impetus for action. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which examines how these characters, polar opposites, need each other, and express such philosophical oppositions as action vs. inaction, the doer vs. the writer/philosopher, primitivism vs. modernity. No additional sources are used.

Developing leadership skills is the same process as attaining a strong sense of personal identity and worth and then applying those traits to the process of goal attainment for the group. This 5 page paper argues that Odysseus was a hero in the Greek tradition, however, he was much too concerned with his own agenda ...

A 5 page paper which compares and contrasts Homer’s Greek view represented in “The Iliad” with the world view considered in “The Book of Job.” No additional sources are used.

A 5 page examination of Herakles (Hercules) which examines why he was so well like among the Greeks of the time, as well as why is still so popular today. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 9 page paper which examines the use of sacrifice in several Greek tragedies. The tragedies discussed are "The Odyssey," "Antigone," "Medea," and "Agamemnon." These sacrifices are discussed in terms of how they address issues such as sex roles, initiation, eating practices, and societal cohesiveness. Marina Warner's book, "Six Myths of Our Time" is also ...

A 6 page paper which examines and defines the modern urban woman and then discusses which story would most appeal to, and typify, the modern urban woman, "Lysistrata" or "The Glass Menagerie." The paper argues that the story of "Lysistrata" would appeal to the modern urban woman for its strength, ingenuity, and sexual nature. bibliography lists 5 additional sources.

9 pages in length. When the student approaches a literary analysis of Homer's Book 24 of The Iliad, it will be important to assess the extent to which this particular book's artistic facets incorporate themselves with the story's overall aesthetic experience. Expounding upon the context of composition and thematic structure of The Iliad's ...