Choose 1 of the following topics, and write a thesis-driven essay in
response to that topic:
1.Ruling Well in the Real World: Choose one leader from US history and
evaluate him or her in terms of EITHER Machiavelli's model of an ideal
prince OR Confucius' model of a good leader. Support your thesis with
quotations of and references to specific passages from the chosen author's
work and with specific details from these politicians' careers. Some minor
historical research is allowed for this topic.
2.Good Rulers in Fictional Works: Choose one leader or character from our
earlier assigned readings (from Weeks 2-5) and evaluate him or her in terms
of EITHER Machiavelli's model of an ideal prince OR Confucius' model of a
good leader. Support your thesis with quotations of and references to
specific passages from the two chosen works.
3.Judging the Antagonists: In several of our forums, we have discussed
figures who act as antagonists in the assigned works. Though we often
associate the idea of the antagonist with the idea of a "villain" or evil
character, the concept is not quite so simple. Choose the character you see
as the main antagonist from one of the works assigned in Weeks 2-5 (choose a
single tale if using a work from Weeks 4 or 5), and evaluate him or her
using the moral structures set up by Dante in our reading from The Inferno.
Leaving aside the character's religion (which would automatically relegate
some characters at least to Limbo), would this character be hell-worthy in
Dante's view? Why or why not?
4.Make your own topic: create your own critical question to answer in your
essay. If you choose this topic you must contact the instructor for approval
by Thursday of Week 8. Essay submissions with unapproved topics will be
Required minimum-600 words