Take-home
Option for
Exam
III
Section
A: due Wed., Nov 14, at 3:00 p.m.
Section
B: due Thurs., Nov 15, at 2:00 p.m.
(in
both paper and electronic form)
Directions:
- Option 1: write two 600-1000 word essays on
two of the topics given below
- Option 2: write one 1200-1600 word essay on
one of the topics given below
- Dont' forget:
- always give sources for both
quotes and information:
- for Herodotus and Thucydides use the numbers at the
beginnings of "paragraphs"
- for the Lysistrata and the Antigone, use the page
numbers from our books
- if you use a different translation for the plays, give
line numbers and add a works cited page listed the full bibliographic
information about your translation
- for these essays use a sufficient number of good representative examples
from the texts--you don't need to discuss all the examples, but
"choice" ones
- give a word count
Topics:
1.
In his
discussion of
the Plague (2.47-54), Thucydides paints a mixed to negative view of
human nature. Based solely on our readings, do the other writers we
have covered this unit (Herodotus, Sophocles, and Aristophanes) agree
with Thucydides' view? If so, demonstrate how they do; if not,
demonstrate how each's view differs from Thucydides' view. Start your
paper demonstrating exactly what Thucydides' view is based on his
account of the Plague (2.47-54). In your conclusion, consider whether
they agree with each other or have differing viewpoints and why this
would be so.
2.
In Thucydides' Melian Dialogue
(5.84-114), the Melians and the Athenians view of what the gods are
like and interested in vary considerably. Based solely on our
readings, do the other writers we have covered this unit (Herodotus,
Sophocles, and Aristophanes) agree with Thucydides' view? If so,
demonstrate how they do; if not, demonstrate how each's view differs
from Thucydides' view. Start your paper demonstrating exactly what
Thucydides' view is based on the Melian Dialogue (5.84-114). In
your conclusion, consider whether they agree with each other or have
differing viewpoints and why this would be so.
3. We saw that achieving
kleos and avoiding aidos was important for the Homeric heroes. Based
solely on the readings for the
unit from Herodotus, Sophocles, Aristophanes,
and Thucydides, rank Leonidas (or Miltiades or Croesus), Antigone (or Creon), Lysistrata, and Agamemnon
(or the Athenians in the Melian dialogue) (from Thucydides) based on
kleos/aidos.
4. You
have come into possession
of a time portal that will allow you to visit
the past (but without affecting the time continuum, i.e. you can't
change the past), but it has some
restrictions. You must submit your request in writing to the portal and
demonstrate that you have good cause to visit (or it may refuse your
request). Based
solely on the readings for the
unit from Herodotus, Thucydides, Sophocles, and Aristophanes, determine and
demonstrate which you would want to go back as ranked in your order of
preference -- Antigone, Lysistrata, an Athenian as described by
Pericles in his funeral oration (Thucydides 2.34-46), an individual of
your choice from Herodotus (but it has to be a different person from
your previous time portal request)-- with a focus on their
"character" or "nature."
Remember, the portal is very particular about whom it lets go through
and
requires a request that contains good argumentation and good supporting
facts.