Because Greeks and Romans often organized their myths around dichotomies, symbolic pairings, and other criteria, you are assigned the task of comparing and/or contrasting Zeus and Apollo.
You can compare and/or contrast the deities’ actions, characterizations, sexuality, physical appearances, manner of worship, and powers and how they were wielded, according to ancient texts (providing citations as necessary).
Not all of these characteristics are necessary, however. If you can’t determine a main point about a god’s sexuality, you don’t need to mention it.
You can choose to examine only similarities, only differences, or a mix of both similarities or differences.
The important point is that it is not enough for a paper to merely list the similarities and/or differences between the two
This is an example of a GOOD outline and thesis:
Intro and thesis: “While both share [similar] characteristics 1, 2, 3, X’s use of them can best be explained by Theorist A, while Y’s can best be explained by Theorist B.
Body 1: Focus on the three similar characteristics. Examples for X and Y. The goal of this paragraph is to establish the similarities.
Body 2: Focus on how X can be explained by Theorist A and not Theorist B. Examples and thoughtful analysis.
Body 3: Focus on how Y can be explained by Theorist B and not Theorist A. Examples and thoughtful analysis.
Conclusion: author returns to the thesis without simply repeating it, leaving the reader with the impression that something of interest and importance has been discussed here.
This is another example of a GOOD outline and thesis:
Intro and thesis: “While both share [similar] characteristics 1, 2, 3, X’s use of them can best be explained by Theorist A, while Y’s can best be explained by Theorist B.
Body 1: Focus on the three similar characteristics. Examples for X and Y. The goal of this paragraph is to establish the similarities.
Body 2: Focus on how X can be explained by Theorist A and not Theorist B. Examples and thoughtful analysis.
Body 3: Focus on how Y can be explained by Theorist B and not Theorist A. Examples and thoughtful analysis.
Conclusion: author returns to the thesis without simply repeating it, leaving the reader with the impression that something of interest and importance has been discussed here.
This is the list of theorists to choose from:
Burkert’s theory
Freud’s theory
Jung’s theory
Levi- Strauss’ theory
Malinowski’s theory
Muller’s theory
Propp’s theory
Possible questions to consider:
Do the differences/similarities reinforce ideas established by some of our theorists?
Do the differences/similarities emphasize gender roles?
Do the differences/similarities teach ancient Greeks and Romans how to act or live?
Compare and/or contrast the deities’ actions, characterizations, sexuality, physical appearances, manner of worship, and powers and how they were wielded, according to ancient texts (providing citations as necessary).
It is NOT enough for a paper to merely list the similarities/ differences between the two deities.
Clearly state WHY these similarities and difference exist and the purpose they serve in myth.
This should NOT be written as an opinion paper.
Required to have at least three sources (two of which should be written by ancient authors.
The third source can be a modern, scholarly article or book, ancient text, or your textbook, NO WEBSITES
Must have BOTH parenthetical citations and a bibliography. MUST use MLA formatting for their citations and bibliography.
Your thesis should directly explain why the similarities and/or differences exist and the purpose they serve ancient Greeks and Romans
Be double spaced
No more than 900 words
Be typed in 12-point Times New Roman font
Have 1-1.5 inch margins
Examples of what NOT to do in this paper:
DO NOT organize your paper with a summary of one god in paragraph 1, a summary of the second god in paragraph 2, and an explanation of the similarities/differences in paragraph 3. This does not focus on the goal of the paper: to fully analyze the similarities and/or differences THROUGHOUT the paper.
This is an example of a BAD outline and thesis:
Intro and thesis: X and Y are similar, and yet different.
Body 1: X and Y are similar.
Body: X and Y are different.
Conclusion: You see? X and Y are similar, and yet different.
This is another example of a BAD outline and thesis:
Intro and thesis: X and Y are similar, and yet different.
Body 1: All about X.
Body 2: All about Y.
Conclusion: You see? X and Y are similar, and yet different.
