Essays and Research Papers on Greek & Roman Literature

A 3 page essay that contrasts and compares the characters of Daphnis and Chloe to Chaereas and Callirhoe. The writer argues that Chaereas and Callirhoe are pictured as being more sophisticated than the totally innocent Daphnis and Chloe, yet because Daphnis and Chloe actually know each other that their relationship will be the stronger. Bibliography ...

A 3 page essay that compares and contrasts the ancient Greek narratives of Chaereas and Callirhoe and An Ephesian Tale. The writer argues that these stories express a similar perspective on the topic of love and the manner in which romantic love manifests itself in human society, that is, through the action of the ...

This 5 page paper discusses the use of 'light' symbols throughout the drama. Quotes cited from text, examples given. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 3 page paper which compares and contrasts the characters of Aeneas and Turnus in the Aeneid. No additional sources cited.

This 5 page paper discusses the role of women in Taktsis' novel, The Third Wedding. Quotes given. Themes explored. Bibliography lists 1 source.

A 5 page essay that discusses Aeschylus' play Agamemnon within the historical context of fifth century BC Greek culture. The writer argues that the play substantiates and rationalizes male dominance. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This paper posits that in order to redeem herself of all the deaths she has caused in freeing Jason, Medea must make the ultimate sacrifice, her children, for two purposes: to save herself, and to save the country from the future reign of Jason. No references. JVmedea.rtf

A 4 page paper which examines the characters from Gilgamesh and Enkidu, from Gilgamesh, as they relate to a quote from Oedipus Rex. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page research paper that examines the status of women in ancient Athens. The writer access this topic by examining Agamemnon by Aeschylus and argues that the character of Clytemnestra is the antithesis of ideal Athenian womanhood. The status of women is examined as suggested by the play. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page essay that discusses the characterization of Iphigenia in Euripides' plays Iphigenia at Aulis and Iphigenia at Tauris. In these plays, Euripides shows Iphigenia to be a woman of extraordinary wisdom, discernment and courage. While highlighting these qualities, Euripides also humanizes his characterization of Iphigenia by showing that she also experiences rage against ...

:A 3 page essay that discusses how to stage Euripides' Iphigenia at Aulis with just three actors. The writer addresses the problems inherent in this staging problem, which are numerous, because while there are only eight speaking parts, there are four characters on stage in some scenes. Suggestions are made for approaching this problem, as ...

A 3 page paper which compares the protagonists, Medea and Lysistrata, from the classic tales. The paper examines personality, plan, and plea. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 6 page essay in which the writer suppose what the play Medea would have been like if it had been written by Sophocles instead of Euripides. The writer bases these assumptions on Sophocles' thematic content in Antigone. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 13 page paper which examines two of the three classic stories in the Oedipus trilogy by Sophocles, and discusses how the two present us with the timeless condition of the tragic hero as seen in “Oedipus the King” and “Antigone.” Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines the stubbornness of Antigone in the story of the same name, and the main character in Knut Hamsun’s novel “Hunger.” Bibliography lists 2 sources.

An 8 page essay that explores the content and meaning of Plato's dialogue Phaedrus. This examination of this dialogue concentrates on Plato's first argument, which concerns his rejection of sexually possessive love. While couched within a context that suggests that Plato is presenting this argument tongue-in-cheek, there is nevertheless the indication that he ...

This 3 page report outlines the basic highlights of the four plays in Sophocles II, edited by David Greene. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

3 pages in length. Love, as the main theme of Plato's "Phaedrus," is a powerful force within the story's overall context. As Phaedrus and Socrates stroll through the countryside, they contemplate all the facets of love from its joyous passion and inherent friendship to its possessiveness and damaging nature. No bibliography.

A 4 page paper which examines the position of Gilgamesh, in the Epic of Gilgamesh, and Odysseus, from Homer’s Odyssey, as heroes. No additional sources cited.

A 7 page paper which examines the role marriage and family plays and considers why these institutions matter to the society as a whole. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 4 page book review that discusses Jasper Griffin's text Homer on Life and Death (1983). The writer argues that this text provides a fascinating commentary on the Iliad, Homer's epic poem that depicted the Trojan War. While Homer's work has been addressed extensively over the course of the centuries, Griffin gives it new life ...

A 4 page essay that explores Sophocles' plays Oedipus and Antigone in regards a principal theme in Greek drama, which is to remind the audience that the will of the gods is paramount and that neither high position nor noble birth exempt an individual from the obligation to fulfill societal duties according to divine ...

In Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid the authors invoke individual narrative episodes to move the story and create the heroic form. In The Aeneid, Virgil is deliberately making exact parallels to Homer’s Odyssey particularly in the areas of the Underworld and the fates. 2 works cited. jvOdyAen.rtf

A 6 page paper which examines how both playwrights treat the husband and wife by exploring similarities and fundamental differences. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page paper which examines how Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey is a man who has little control over fate. No additional sources cited.