Purpose: For this assignment, you’ll choose one of the topics below, evaluating Gilgamesh and the Odyssey,
and write a 6-10 paragraph essay arguing for and supporting your
conclusions. This assignment will build your writing, analytical, and
evaluative skills.
You may be able to further flush out the writing you have already
done in discussions towards these goals. If you choose a different
topic than the ones on which you have already written, the discussion
posts and responses may still be useful and inspiring to you. However,
be careful you don’t plagiarize your classmates’ work. We
encourage you to use the background material in the course to further
develop your own original interpretations and arguments; researching
other secondary sources is not required for this assignment, and
plagiarism of other sources will not be tolerated.
Tasks:
First, choose one of the following two topics:
Topic #1: Unit 1B’s introduction to the Five Great Themes of World Literature states with regard to the hero: “The
surest way to understand what a culture of the past most values is to
focus on what it considers heroic, in that a culture recognizes its
heroes as embodying its most important ideas, the values that are
essential.” Discuss the diverse values that our two epic
heroes, Gilgamesh and Odysseys, embody. Which values embodied by these
epic heroes are endorsed or celebrated by their societies? Are any of
their values condemned or rejected by their societies? Illustrate your
discussion with specific examples of the heroes’ obligations to their
societies and what their values reflect about their cultures. One of
the passages you should quote (all or in part) and analyze is the
following:
‘I am committed to this enterprise: to
climb the mountain, to cut down the cedar, and leave behind me an
enduring name.’ The Counselors of Uruk; the great market, answered him,
‘Gilgamesh, you are young, your courage carries you too far, you cannot
know what this enterprise means which you plan’ (9).
Topic #2: Both Gilgamesh and the Odyssey have central female characters, both mortal ones and goddesses. Discuss how the two epics deal with such subjects as
what power women have;
how central the women are to the events in the epics;
to what extend the goddesses exhibit characteristics similar to mortal women;
whether women are portrayed as having flaws or traits that are unique to females.
From Gilgamesh, focus
on Siduri and possibly Ishtar, Ninsun, or Shamash; for Homer, you have
many options, including Penelope, Athena, Anticleia, Circe, Calypso, and
Nausicaa. One of the passages you should quote (all or in part) and
analyze is the following:
When the gods created man they allotted
to him death, but life they retained in their own keeping. As for you,
Gilgamesh, fill your belly with good things; day and night, night and
day, dance and be merry, feast and rejoice. Let your clothes be fresh,
bathe yourself in water, cherish the little child that holds your hand,
and make your wife happy in your embrace; for this too is the lot of man
(25).
Second, write an essay presenting your argument.
Include quotations from the texts as well as additional details that
illustrate and enhance the points you are making. Use the following as
an outline of what to include:
Explain the general topic and relevant themes (e.g. heroes, women)
and any relevant terms for that topic (suggested 1-2 paragraphs).
Apply that topic to both Gilgamesh and to the Odyssey (suggested
4-6 paragraphs). Give specific examples and quotes from the texts to
support your analyses. Use in-text citations for the quotations.
Your final page should be your Works Cited page, in MLA format. It
should include the literary texts, as well as any content pages from the
course material to which you may have referred.
Don’t forget to review the guidelines for How to Succeed in the Written Assignments and the Sample paper in MLA format. Make sure you save time to submit your draft to Tutor.com via the free Tutoring Services link for helpful feedback before the due date. All writing assignments have Turnitin enabled for plagiarism detection.
You’ll be graded on your ability to analyze and evaluate your topic
thoughtfully through your writing, as well as on your language,
organization, and MLA formatting. Familiarize yourself with the
criteria below and the grading requirements by going under
Assessments/Rubrics in your nav bar to the Unit 3 Essay Writing Rubric
SP21.
File submissions: Please submit your file as a DOC.X or PDF file.
Criteria on which you will be graded:
Your arguments are thoughtful
Your essay is well-organized
Your analysis is specific and original
Your use of language is clear and effective
Your quotations and Works Cited are correctly formatted in MLA style
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