Gorgon's head on a silver coin 
Classics 215:

Mythology
 

Spring 2003

The god Apollo on a gold coin of Syracuse
image courtesy of Edgar L. Owen, #3803

Topics for Papers

Paper #1 topic

Directions:

Write on one of the topics below:
1. In the course of our discussion of creation myths, we have observed that these stories also provide windows into their respective cultures. For the Greek creation myth and one other, discuss what they reveal about the relation between males and females.

2. In the course of our discussion of creation myths, we have observed that these stories share common themes/motifs despite being from different cultures/times/locations. Compare the Bantu creation myth with one or two other(s) with respect to these themes/motifs and hypothesize on the significance of the commonalities.
 


Paper #2 topic

Directions:
  • post a copy in "submit papers to this folder" in the CLA 215 Mythology discussion folder
  • bring a paper copy to class
  • length: 600-900
  • for more information about the format and about the writing intensive requirements, click here
    • Topic: Use Malinowski's charter theory to examine closely one of following stories: 1) Aphrodite & Pygmalion, 2) Artemis & Actaeon, or 3) Athena & Arachne. Also, in your introduction, briefly (but accurately) state what are the key tenets to his theory.

    [FYI: when citing the first time, give the author/work and line numbers, e.g. "Sing me, O Muse, the story of Aphrodite the golden" (Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, l. 1: Powell 198); ; thereafter, just give the line numbers, e.g. (30-31) for "The hearts of these three Aphrodite can never trick or inveigle; no other, blessed god or immortal, is able to flee her enticements."]

     
    Paper#3 topic
    Directions: Topic: Use either Levi-Strauss' structuralist theory Malinowski's charter theory to examine the myth of Demeter and Persephone (but if you use the charter theory, exclude the issue of parthenoi as examined by Powell). Also, in your introduction, briefly (but accurately) state what are the key tenets to the theory you use.

    [FYI: when citing the first time, give the author/work and line numbers, e.g. "Sing me, O Muse, the story of Aphrodite the golden" (Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, l. 1: Powell 198); ; thereafter, just give the line numbers, e.g. (30-31) for "The hearts of these three Aphrodite can never trick or inveigle; no other, blessed god or immortal, is able to flee her enticements."]

    Paper #4 topic

    Directions: Write on one of the following:
    1. Just as American society is very different from ancient Greek society, so too is the American "archetypical" woman different from the ancient Greek "archetypical" woman. Compare and contrast the American "archetype", as represented by Meg from Disney's movie Hercules, with the ancient Greek "archetype", as represented either by Helen (focusing on pp 525-7 & 548-550) or by Andromache (focusing on pp. 531-4).

    2. Just as American society is very different from ancient Greek society, so too is the American "archetypical" hero different from the ancient Greek "archetypical" hero. Compare and contrast the American "archetype," as represented in Hercules from Disney's movie Hercules, with the ancient Greek "archetype," as represented either  by Agamemnon (focusing on pp. 523-4, 526, 529-31, & 534-8) or by Achilles (focusing on pp. 516, 518, 529-531, 534-8, 540-2).


    Paper #5 topic

    Directions: Write on one of the following:
    1. Examine the role the Heroic Code and xenia play in the scene from the Odyssey in which Odysseus encounters Polyphemus (Powell, pp. 567-579). Make sure you support your conclusions with appropriate examples from the Odyssey (as given in Powell, pp 567-579) and give line and page numbers for your citations.

    2. Using Andromache (Powell, pp 531-4) as the "archetypical" Greek women, examine how Clytemnestra and/or Penelope measure up to that standard. Make sure you support your conclusions with appropriate examples from the text and cite correctly.