QUESTION I (50 points)—Use a minimum of 10 quotations and explain their significance fully.
Compare and contrast two heroes from two of the epics we have read: Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Ramayana. Organize your essay according to Joseph Campbell’s definition of a hero:
the hero as a very powerful human being
who goes on a quest and overcomes many obstacles in the process of his quest.
The purpose of his quest can be to win a war, to slay a giant, to gain some mystical object such as the Holy Grail, to gain immortality, or to gain an understanding that is beyond his reach.
He often returns to his homeland with greater wisdom and self-knowledge.
Be sure to discuss the hero’s flaw or harmatia or lack of flaw and how this is reflected in the epic.
In addition, please take into account the cultural differences evident in each of the epics you select.
QUESTION II (50 points: 25 points each)– Use a minimum of 5 quotations for each question and explain their significance fully.
Select TWO of the following questions:
Using Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero—#3 on page 2 of this exam—analyze why Oedipus is/is not a tragic hero.
Using Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero—#3 on page 2 of this exam—analyze why Antigone is/is not a tragic hero.
Using Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero—#3 on page 2 of this exam—analyze why Kreon is/is not a tragic hero.
Using Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero—#3 on page 2 of this exam—analyze why Medea is/is not a tragic hero.
Explain why Medea in Euripides’ Medea was or was not justified in her actions.
Explain the character and role of Teiresias, the blind prophet or soothdayer, in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and Antigone.
Discuss the role of the chorus throughout each of the three Greek tragedies we have read: Oedipus the King, Antigone, and Medea. What is the Chorus’ view of the main character at the beginning of the play, in the middle of the play, and at the end of each tragic drama.
4. Compare and contrast two women from the literature that we have read.
Select two of the following women: Chryseis, Penelope, Jocasta, Antigone, Ismene, Medea, Sita, or Draupadi
Compare and contrast two men from the literature that we have read. Select two of the following men: Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Achilles, Agamemnon, Hector, Odysseus, Telemachus, Oedipus, Tiresias, Kreon, Jason, Rama, and Laksmana. Do not use any characters you discussed in question #1.
Discuss the role the gods played in any two works of literature that we have read; for example, the role of Athena and Zeus in the Iliad and the Odyssey; the role of Ishtar and Shamash in the Epic of Gilgamesh; the role of Apollo in Oedipus the King; the role of Zeus, Aphrodite, and Hades in Antigone; and the role of Hecate, Themis, and Artemis in Medea. There are many other gods you can select.
Essay Evaluation: Your two essays will be evaluated by 1) how well you select your evidence to prove your point (in most cases you will need quotations from the text) 2) how well you analyze the evidence and explain how it proves your thesis, and 3) how well written the answer is in terms of standard college writing.
