UNIT 2 EXAM: ANCIENT GREECE UNIT
HONORS HUMANITIES FALL 2014
ESSAY PROMPT:
Compare and contrast Achilles, the epic hero of
The Iliad, with ONE other character from Oedipus
Rex or The Iliad. What do these two characters
demonstrate about “the ideal” in ancient Greece
and/or human nature in general?
HOW TO PICK A SECOND CHARACTER FOR THE COMPARISON:
Choose your second character from these lists:
Options from Oedipus: Oedipus, Creon, Tiresias, Jocasta, Chorus, or
another of your choice (get teacher’s approval)
Options from The Iliad: Hektor, Agamemnon, Priam, Helen, Andromache, or
another of your choice (get teacher’s approval)
STRUCTURE OF A COMPARISON/CONTRAST LITERARY THESIS:
Here are a couple of good structures for a comparison/contrast thesis for a literary
essay. Of course, there are many ways to write an A+ comparison thesis.
Focus on contrasts:
Achilles, an epic hero in The Iliad, demonstrates the qualities of [quality 1],
[quality 2], and [quality 3], whereas [character B], a character from [name of
work], demonstrates the qualities of [quality 4], [quality 5], and [quality 6].
This shows that [lesson learned about Greek values or human nature]
because [how and why these contrasting qualities show this lesson].
Focus on similarities:
Both Achilles, an epic hero in The Iliad, and [character B], a character from
[name of work], demonstrate the qualities of [quality 1], [quality 2], and [quality
3]. This shows that [lesson learned about Greek values or human nature]
because [how and why these contrasting qualities show this lesson].
TIPS FOR DESIGNING YOUR THESIS:
While preparing for the essay, you may wish to consider the terms and concepts
below. Many were first described by Aristotle in his Poetics, in which he defined the
characteristics of the ideal tragedy. Aristotle’s Poetics, the first known work of
literary theory, can be found in the Norton Anthology, if you would like to read it.
 epic hero: Main character in an epic poem. Embodies the most valued traits
of his or her culture. The hero’s success or failure represents the success or
failure of his people as a whole. An epic hero typically is forced into a difficult
journey, has companions and guides along the way, descends into darkness,
and emerges profoundly changed.
 tragic hero: Protagonist (main character) in a Greek tragic play. He is an
admirable character who is undone by hamartia (a tragic flaw), usually
caused by his own hubris. This leads to his downfall.
 hamartia: Tragic flaw, miscalculation, or error of judgment in a tragic hero.
The term means “to miss the mark.”
 hubris: Excessive arrogance or pridefulness. This is the tragic flaw for many
tragic and epic heroes.
 arête: Humility and striving for perfection and self-improvement. It is
impossible to achieve perfection, but the Ancient Greeks believe striving for it
is ideal. Thinking you have achieved perfect arête, however, is hubris.
 mythos: Plot, which includes:
o One or more reversals (peripeteia), or plot twists, that make the
audience pity the protagonist or feel fearful.
o Recognition (anagnorisis), a change from innocence to knowledge.
o A lot of suffering (pathos) for the protagonist.
 pathos: Suffering, translated as “calamity,” usually from a destructive or
painful act. This appeals to the audience’s emotions, especially when
contrasting emotions are produced (e.g., tenderness contrasted with rage).
 ethos: Moral character; the guiding ideals of the community. Ethos is
required in combination with pathos to be sure the audience is transformed,
via emotion, into what they ought to be (the ideal) in an ethical way. Compare
this with John Locke and other more modern philosophers who believe
people are changed for the better only through logic and reasoning.
 catharsis: The purpose of tragedy is to raise pity and fear, thereby producing
transformation, renewal, or restoration of the audience. Synonyms for
catharsis: purification, cleansing, or purging.