Essays and Research Papers on Greek & Roman Literature

A 9 page paper which outlines the composition of Homer’s epics, “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey.” Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 4 page paper which compares and contrasts two famous literary regal protagonists. No additional sources are used.

A 3 page comparison of these two works and men. The author of this paper contends that there are many similarities between Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” and Socrates’ “Apology”, not the least of which is the fact that Ovid could be said to be a recreation of Socrates, a manifestation of that “gadfly” Socrates warns of ...

A 6 page paper which examines how this tragedy is an example of ancient Greek social values (such as political, spiritual, concepts of family and the individual) and considers what is learned about this society from the play. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 6 page essay that answers four specific questions. Topics include: 3 adventures from the Odyssey that address character development for Odysseus; the gods' relationship to humanity in the Iliad; the character of Joseph, and the nature of exile for Joseph, Job and Adam and Eve. No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses the character of Lavinia, in O'Neill's "Mouring Becomes Electra". This paper compares Lavinia with the character of Orestes, who was the focal character in the Oresteia version of the same story. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page paper which examines the presence and significance of feasting in Homer’s Odyssey. No additional sources cited.

4 pages in length. Michael Grant's version of Suetonius' "The Twelve Caesars" possesses many important components of social marginalization 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 ...

A five page paper which looks at the differences between Pentheus and Dionysus, with particular reference to the concept of duality and the sacrificial nature of Pentheus' death. Bibliography lists 1 source

A 5 page essay that contrasts and compares Euripides' Iphigenia and Ibsen's A Doll's House. The writer argues that in each case, the playwrights endeavor to reflect their respective societies realistically, while shedding light on a particular aspect of their respective cultures. In each case, these authors focus on the nature of women. In each ...

A 4 page paper which examines Chapter 25 of Machiavelli’s “The Prince,” discussing fate and fortune. The paper also discusses what the opinions of others would be in relationship to Machiavelli’s perceptions or arguments. Bibliography lists 4 additional sources.

A 3 page research paper that discusses how in Nikos Kazantzakis' classic novel Zorba the Greek, two diametrically opposed views of life, the Apollonian (intellectual) and the Dionysian (emotional) perspective, are contrasted. The writer describes how Zorba, a man of the earth who has a zest for life, teaches a bookish friend to appreciate this ...

A 5 page paper which examines the status of women in each of the two ancient Greek plays. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 3 page paper looks at Virgil's work and the animosity that existed between the two groups. Many quotes from the original work are included. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the importance and presence of the character Telemakhos in Homer’s Odyssey. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper discussing several ways in which Oedipus created many of his own problems. A prophecy at his birth stated that he would kill his father and marry his mother, and in the end, the prophecy was fulfilled. It would not have been, however, had Oedipus been (1) more accommodating and ...

A 4 page paper which examines the speeches of Ulysses, Phoenix, and Ajax in Book IX of the Iliad. No additional sources cited.

A 3 page paper which examines Homer’s presentation of women in the Hymn to Demeter and the Iliad, and Sappho’s presentation of women in the “Poems of Sappho.” No additional sources cited.

This 3 page paper discusses the role of females in Homer's Odyssey. Examples given from the text. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 4 page analysis of the concluding book, Book 24, of Homer's epic poem the Iliad. The writer argues that Achilles' relinquishing of Hector's body to his father signals his maturation as a human being. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page paper which examines how the so-called Oedipus Complex or a child’s sexual desire for the mother may be the symptoms of family dysfunction, and combines a textual reading with personal observation commentary and expert analysis. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page essay that analyzes the relationship between Helen and Paris. In Homer's ancient epic poem The Iliad, which depicts the Trojan War, the abduction of Helen, the wife of a Greek ruler, Menelaos, by the Trojan Paris (also known as Alexandros) is the event that causes the war. The writer argues that ...

A 3 page paper which compares and contrasts the characters of Clytemnestra and Niobe from The Oresteia. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines how the depiction of women in terms of roles and lifestyles are so different in the two poems that some people believe the epics were written by two different authors. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the theme of fate in Homer’s Odyssey. The paper also discusses the universal relevance of Homer’s work. No additional sources cited.