S12-Myth-Topics for Paper 6 & Take-Home Exam 4

Directions:

electronic copy: e-mail me at victor.leuci@westminster-mo.edu); the name of your attached file should be:

S12-215-P6-Last Name, First Name (e.g. S12-215-P6-Smith, Joan)
S12-215-E4-Last Name, First Name (e.g. S12-215-E4-Smith, Joan)

paper copy: bring to class or to my office prior to class
length: see below
sources:

each topic specifies what sources you should use, but for the Greek myths it is only the material in Powell's textbook.
Class Lecture: should use for Heroic/Homeric Code and xenia.

in-text citing reminders:

you must cite your sources of information (facts, theories, etc.)
every main body paragraph should have in-text citations (you want at least 2 good examples with citations per paragraph)
included author and specific page numbers when citing from what Powell says, but
when citing the ancient authors quoted in Powell's text, cite the ancient author, the ancient work, "book" number (if there is one), the line numbers, and the page number(s) in Powell, e.g. if you quoted the following: "I drop to my knees, my lady. Are you a goddess, or are you human," your citation should look like this: (Homer, Odyssey 6.148, p 620) unless you have already mentioned the author and work earlier in the main part of your text or are citing for the second (or third, ...) time, then just give (6.148, p 620).
for the movie, same as for the previous movie (FYI there are some copies of the script available on-line, if you use one, your in-text citation should be (Coen & Coen, "O Brother, Where Art Thou? script")
when citing class lectures, give author and date, if needed. e.g. (Leuci, 4-10-12) or just (Leuci) if there is only one lecture that you will be citing

Works Cited "Page" reminders:

only include entries for what you used in your paper (but must include an entry for the movie)
in the same font as your main text
used hanging indents
used MLA 7th edition or APA 6th edition or Chicago Manual of Style
if you have the 7th edition, then the biblio entry for the passages from the Odyssey should be: Homer. Odyssey. Transl. Herbert M Howe. Classical Myth. By Barry B. Powell. 7th edition. Boston: Pearson. 2012. Print
if you have an earlier edition, then change the above as appropriate,
for the movie or the script of the movie, same approach as for the previous movie
for class lecture, check the pdfs in Moodle.

writing intensive:

don't forget to turn in the draft copy with my or the Writing labs' comments on it for it to count towards your revised paper total (and don't forget to make the revisions!)
print this out and bring this to your writing lab conference and have the tutor sign here: ______________________________________
for more information, click here

Option 1: Write two 600-1000ish word essays on two of the topics given below:
Option 2: Write one 1200-1800 word essay on one of the topics below:
Optional Paper 6: chose one of the topics below and write a 600-100ish word essay (note: you can't write on the same topic for both paper 6 and the exam!)

Topics to choose from:

1. Xenia: After briefly, but accurately, describing what the steps of xenia are, compare/contrast the example of "xenia" in the Polyphemus episode of the Odyssey in Powell's chapter with the similar episode from the movie (i.e. those involving Big Dan T). For option 2 also cover the scene where Pete's cousin welcomes the three of them and their relationship with Tommy.

2. Fate vs Free Will: Using the quotes below as a springboard, discuss the role of fate/free will in the movie and in one of the following Greek myths: Jason & Medea, the Oresteia, the Iliad, the Odyssey (for option 2 add a second Greek myth):

Near the beginning, the blind man says:
      ... But fear not the obstacles 
     in your path, for Fate has vouchsafed 
     your reward.  And though the road 
     may wind, and yea, your hearts grow 
     weary, still shall ye foller the 
     way, even unto your salvation.

     "But once he bowed his neck to Necessity's yoke,
      a sigh gave proof of his terrible change of heart,
                   unholy, faithless, obscene.  

Aeschylus, Agamemnon 218-220, p 554 (7th edit), 518 (6th edit)

Near the end, the sheriff says:
     You have eluded fate - and eluded me - 
     for the last time. Tie their hands, 
     boys.
movie script: (click here)

     and "Don't be too troubled at heart. No one will send me to Hades
     until I am destined to fall. For no one, brave man or coward,
     once he was born on the earth, has ever avoided that hour.

Homer, Iliad 6.485-7, p 565 (7th edit),  529 (6th edit)

3. Conjugal love: Use the quote listed below as the basis of a comparison of the following couples: Jason & Medea and Everett & Penny. For option 2 add Agamemnon & Clytemnestra and/or Odysseus and Penelope to the mix. Finally what conclusions can you draw?

"Lastly, I pray that the gods may grant you a husband and home,
a household of peace and love, for nothing is dearer or finer
than concord of husband and wife who share their hopes for the family,
the envy of all their foes and the glory of those who respect them."
(Homer, Odyssey, 6.180-185, p 612 in 7th edit, p 581 in 6th).

4. From the point of view of a book/movie critic, evaluate the changes the Coen brothers made with regard to at least 2 (option 1) or 4 (option 2) of the following:

Menelaus--Pappy O'Daniel
one suitor--many suitors
Telemachus--young female children
bard--Tommy, the guitar player
Poseidon--warden

In your conclusion address why the changes were successful or not. As always, make sure you give specific examples to back up your conclusions.

5. Heroic Code: After briefly describing the Heroic code, examine how the song "I am a man of constant sorrow" accomplished many of the same things for Everett and his friends.