Instructions. Please write an essay of roughly five to eight double spaced pages (approx. 1.5(0-2.500 words). Discuss at least two of the three authors (Euripides. the Beowulf poet. and Clideamatiai) examined in this section of the class. Use at least three exempla to support your arguments. Choose ONE of the following topics:
1) Consider kingship or leadership (including the leadership of a family) in these works. Examine at least throe characters. What are the characteristics of a good leader? What makes a good leader. or a bed one. according to these stories? 'That obligations does a leader have to those who are led? \That common themes or ideas about good or bad leadership emerge through these characters?
2) Consider the issue of revenge in these works What do the authors seem to be saying about the act of personally taking revenge when you has been wronged. as opposed to forgiving the one who has harmed you or allowing authoritia like the police to deal with the muter (as we are usually expected to do in our culture)? When revenge is permissible. or perhaps even required. What are the limits of acceptable revenge?
3) Consider at least three female characters from these works. Now do these characters reveal what the authors consider "good" or "bad" women (or what they consider -proper" or "feminine")? To what extent are these characters realistic or idealized? How are the authors using these characters to comment on the general nature of women or the general nature of relationships between men and women? What is the significance of these characters?
4) John Gardner says that literature should present "valid models for imitation." Consider 3113331 three characters who you think are meant to be (or clearly not meant to be) such models. What is it about them that make them worthy (or unworthy) of being imitated, in thought and'or word ander deed, by the audiences who experience than. In addition, to what extent are they "valid.- in the sense of being sympathetic or believable enough to be effective? Gardner. for example. warns us about "cornball morality." characters who are so perfect that people may reject them because" noone is like that!" and then perhaps also give up on the values they represent. Of course, some characters are good but flawed. or sympathetic but evil. or some other mix of good and bad characteristics, and you may consider the effects and significances of such -mixed models."
Some tips for success-
• I17:at you are trying to demonstrate is not simply that Joni have read the books for Hatched the/1Thu). but that you have thought about them. One way to do this is to not only use examples covered in class discussion. but also other examples that were not motioned (a at least not mentioned in much detail).
• You do not have to ccnvr ewrything. In general, it is better louse three to six examples (characters. etc.) with a lot of details than to use a larger number of examples that have fewer details.
• Back up your claims with examples from the books. If you use direct quotes, be sure to format them properly (*PA format is preferred), be careful not to overuse them, and be sure the quote you are using actually backs up the point you are trying to make (you may aced to add some explanation for some quotes).
• While it is not required. you may use scholarly or historical sources (including articles, introductions, etc. in your editions of the works) or other literary works or films to back up your ideas, Be sure to focus on the assigned texts. though. if you use secondary sources, please be sure to cite them properly.
• Do not just summarize the %anti and then briefly comment on them. In some eases, a brief summary is usefitl, but generally you should assume your audience is already familiar with the works you are discussing: long summaries are rarely needed. Instead. focus on these sections of the works that support your ideas.
• Consider common themes. Rather than simply talking about the texts in isolation, 6 nd places where you can draw connections, where they cover the same theme a idea, agree a disagree on some issue. etc.
• Talk about significance. One option for an effective conclusion is to consider what we can learn from these texts, wily they might be relevant. wfiy we should read them. and soon.
• Take time to proofread. edit, and Poise your paper. Feel free to work in groups outside of class to share ideas. proofread drafts. etc.
• Remember that this is an informative essay written in an academic setting. designed to demonstrate your knowledge of the texts and your ability to argue a point logically and effectively. Focus on the ideas you think you can prove. using evidence from the text or other sources and avoid purely personal comments.