Odyssey Essay
After having read and viewed the story, you should remember themes and essential ideas that run throughout the work. Many of these have come up for discussion in our reading of the text.
In a two to three page essay, you will analyze how Homer provides the reader with insight into Greek culture and traditions. You will pay close attention to how the author accomplishes this and provide numerous details from the story that support your thesis, or central idea.
Begin with a question about the story that you want to know the answer to. By answering that question with a statement, you will have your thesis for your paper. You should include specific examples from the text to support your thesis.
Choose from any of the following questions or supply your own for your thesis question:
1.
What message about hospitality or the way you should treat guests is communicated in The Odyssey and what are the ways that Homer shows this importance to the reader?
2.
What is Homer saying about the role of women in Greek society when you analyze the various female characters in The Odyssey and what conclusion can the reader make about the author’s attitude towards women in general?
3.
What concepts did the Greeks value in a leader and how does the author show that Odysseus is a good or bad example of a leader in The Odyssey ?
4.
What message about loyalty is expressed in The Odyssey and how does the author use different examples to demonstrate the importance of loyalty in Greek culture?
5.
What statement is the author of The Odyssey making about human nature and human weakness through the obstacles faced by Odysseus and his crew on the way home to Ithaca, and which of these human qualities or weaknesses connect with modern readers of the text?
6.
Odysseus is an admirable hero because he uses strategy instead of strength to overcome many obstacles.
In an organized essay, analyze two events where Odysseus uses his intellectual prowess over his might and share what this conveys about the concept of a hero.
7.
Some myths become central to a culture or civilization and serve as a lesson that to be learned by all members of the community. The Odyssey can easily be seen in this light. Choose what you believe to be the most significant life lesson from the epic poem and explore multiple ways in which the lesson is reinforced.
Please follow these requirements to ensure yourself of maximum points:
1.
Use MLA Format with the citations you use to support your position.
2.
Size 12 Times New Roman Font, standard margins.
3.
It is important that you take time to organize your thoughts through prewriting/shaping. (Re: organize body paragraphs first!)
4.
Create a clear and argumentative thesis statement and place it at the end of your introductory paragraph.
5.
Organize two body paragraphs that contain at least two quotes each; begin each paragraph with a clear and argumentative topic sentence
6.
Provide a smooth lead-in for each quote which gives contextual information
7.
Include parenthetical citations with page numbers after each quote
8.
Learn from your last essay and strive to provide more insight and analysis as opposed to merely restating the quote; delve beneath the surface!
9.
Make sure your Concluding paragraph is all commentary.
10.
Follow all standard conventions for literary essays (review RIP Words: I, me, you, yours, good, bad, nice, things, etc.)