Essays and Research Papers on Mythology / Mixed

a 5 page paper looking at the reason Zeus retained his position as this 'Supreme Deity' of the Greek Pantheon after his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather lost theirs to their sons. The paper suggests that Greek society was changing and civilizing over time, and Zeus, more than his father or grandfather, represents the flexibility and ...

A 3 page paper looking at the characteristics of the Greek goddess Athena, and analyzing her appeal to the people who worshipped her. The paper argues that in an overwhelmingly patriarchal society, Athena's spirit ruled in Athens as the Athenian wife's spirit ruled within the confines of her home. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 4 page analysis of the appeal of Zeus to Greek society. The paper argues that Zeus changed from a fickle and furious weather-god to a champion of justice, as his worshippers changed from illiterate tribesmen to the highest culture of the ancient world. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 10 page orientation to ancient mythology and a comparison of Sumarian and Classic Mythology. Bibliography lists nine sources.

This 6 page paper examines the comic book genre to determine if contemporary comic books are representative of modern mythology or are merely pure escapism. Bibliography includes 6 sources.

In 6 pages, the writer discusses examples of Trickster myths from two different cultures and demonstrates their distinguishing factors, as well as what they each have in common. They are the closest to the arche, or the beginning of the world of human consciousness. This is a time of ambiguity and ambivalence, when chaos ...

An 8 page paper discussing the narrative style of myths in different cultures. There are differing views among scholars and anthropologists concerning the structure of myths. The writer explores these disparities in great detail. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

In this excellently-prepared 7 page essay, the writer argues that motifs in modern stories such as Superman are actually derived from those of ancient mythology. Comparisons are made between Superman's weakness for Krypton and Achilles' heel... -or--the Norse god Balder,-- who was immune to everything except mistletoe. Moreover, just as Theseus had Ariadne, Superman ...

A 6 page paper that explores the legends surrounding the Greek god Apollo and discusses the religious rituals practiced in his worship. The nature of the symbols of the bow, the laurel, and the lyre that are traditionally associated with Apollo are explained. Apollo's early use of music therapy is also explored. ...

A 5 page research paper that examines mythology as interpreted by historian Joseph Campbell. According to Campbell, mythology represents ancient intuitive understanding of certain archetypal or "elementary ideas" that still speak to the human condition even in modern times. The writer demonstrates how this fits in with the ideas of Carl Jung and Adolf Bastian. ...

This 3 page essay discusses the validity of Jung's belief that mental or emotional disturbances are attempts to find wholeness. The writer notes that such a theory can be applied beyond the individual and to American society in general. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 5 page paper comparing and contrasting the ideas of these two theorists about the function and importance of ritual. Joseph Campbell was a well-known writer in the areas of mythology and ritual, and frequently drew analogies between established religious practices and long-forerunning mythological beliefs. He maintained that ritual was an important part ...

A short, 2 page look at an old tale dating back to the 18th century which maintains that a devilish, crazed murderer lurks in the rural sections of NJ's pine barren region-- waiting for his prey. In brief, this essay examines explanations for the story-- arguing that the entire concept of such a murderous creature ...

In this 8 page research paper, the writer examines issues and circumstances concerning the coining of money during medieval times. Economic situations are assessed and the overall impact that coining had over the centuries is determined. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 6 page research paper exploring the elements of medieval feudalism in England. Descriptions of what constituted medieval feudalism, reason for wars, status of women and the decline of the feudal system are discussed. Bibliography lists 5 references.

In this 9 page paper, the writer is concerned with whether or not Feudalism imposed by the 11th century Norman Conquest truly had an impact on politics in England. Issues of ownership, social class, and much more are examined to reach the ultimate conclusion that the impact of Feudalism was a positive one indeed. Bibliography ...

10 pages in length. The writer discusses the effects of Germanic invasion and feudalism in relation to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

This 8 page paper reviews how feudalism evolved from its original application after the Norman Conquest and the rule of William I. Bibliography lists five sources.

A 4 page research paper which explores the way the Church regarded heresy, and the formation of the Inquisition as a response to this problem. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 3 page essay examining the role of monasteries in the Middle Ages, and using Monte Cassino, founded by St. Benedictine, as the standard against which others are compared. One cited reference.

6 pages in length. Medieval monks.. did they adhere to their vows of chastity, poverty, obedience, and sometimes silence? Research suggests not. Evidence points to excesses in physical pleasures, especially in the realms of sex and food. The sometimes perverted sexual habits of some of the monks has been passed down through anecdotal records. Bibliography ...

Occupations and how they were contained within towns and centers are the focus of this 5 page paper about the Middle Ages. Some comparison is made to contemporary society for illustrative purposes. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

4 pages in which Neoplatonism is defined, compared to today's New Age Movement, and discussed in terms of the move during the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance away from Aristotelian philosophy and toward that of Plato. Discusses the debate between Islamic philosophers Avicenna and al-Ghazali, and the resistance of Catholic leaders to accept the ...

A 6 page analysis of two books on this topic--Garin's Italian Humanism; Philosophy and Civic Life in the Renaissance and Baron's The Crisis of the Early Italian Renaissance: Civic Humanism and Republican Liberty in the Age of Classicism and Tyranny. The writer demonstrates how the strengths and weakness of the two scholarly works are complementary ...

A 3 page essay on a few of the points marking the transition from the early (or mid-) to the High Middle Ages. Briefly discussed are the influences of rural to urban life and the ensuing governmental changes, the rise of cultural and educational pursuits, and the new influence of the church. One ...