Gorgon's head on a silver coin 

Classics 215: Mythology

Spring 2004

Topics for Papers

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

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 or two others, 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 Norse 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: In the course of our class discussion, we have seen that very early on the Greeks became concerned that their myths were not "moral," and started coming up with ways to address that issue. Using the theory of one of the following (Xenophanes, Theagenes, Euhemerus), evaluate two of the following Greek myths: Pandora (Powell, 115-121); The Five Ages of Man (Powell, 123-125); The Flood (Powell, 128-132). In your introduction, succintly but accurately describe the theory you will use; in your conclusion, critique how well the theory works for the two myths you have evaluated.
     
    Paper#3 topic
    Directions: Write on one of the following:
    1. We have seen that many Greek myths are based on Near Eastern myths, e.g. Hesiod's succession myth & 5 Ages of Man myth. However the Greek "writers" have also transformed the myths into a form that was more acceptable to their culture. Detail aspects of this transformation for either the myth of Aphrodite and Anchises (Powell, 4th ed., 203-208) or the myth of Demeter and Persephone (Powell, 4th ed., 222-234), picking the Near Eastern myth that seems most similar to the Greek myth. In your conclusion, hypothesize on why the changes were made in the Greek telling of the myths [NB citing--see post for how to cite].

    2. Compare and contrast the value of Levi-Strauss' Structuralist theory to either Frazer's Ritual theory or Malinowski's Charter theory with regard to the myth "Kali Beheaded" (Leonard, 158-161) [NB citing--see post for how to cite].

    Paper #4 topic

    Directions: Write on one of the following:
    1. In the recent trial of Martha Stewart, the defense team decided not to put her on the stand to testify. News reports theorized that they chose this approach because they feared that she might say something that would damage their case based on her character. As part of the defense team for Medea, would you choose to put Medea on the stand in a trial for her murder of her children and Jason's new bride, based on the evidence about her character in Powell from Euripides' Medea (492-499)?

    2. In the recent trial of Martha Stewart, the defense team decided not to put her on the stand to testify. News reports theorized that they chose this approach because they feared that she might say something that would damage their case based on her character. As part of the defense team for Agamemnon, would you choose to put Agamemnon on the stand in a trial, based on the evidence about his character in Powell from Aeschylus' Agamemnon (525-6) and Homer's Iliad (532-3, 536-40)?


    Paper #5 topic

    Directions: Write on one of the following:
    1. Based on a close reading of the selection from the Odyssey detailing Odysseus encounter with Polyphemus (Powell, 569-581), take a position on the following question: If Odysseus were on trial for the blinding of Polyphemus, would you put Odysseus on the witness stand? Make sure you defend it with judicious examples from the text.

    2. Looking at Odysseus and other women versus Penelope and the suitors, what inferences on the husband/wife relationship in Greek culture can you draw? Use the information available in Powell or from class discussion.* Make sure you defend it with judicious examples from the text.

    3. Odysseus was clearly a hero by the Greek definition, would he be a hero by American standards? Use the information available in Powell or from class discussion.* Make sure you defend it with judicious examples from the text.

    *If you wish, you may use a text of the Odyssey or the following internet translation (click here).
    Citing: Print version: Standard bibliography at the end of the work; book and line numbers at the end of sentences, i.e. (Bk 1, 113-135).