Purpose: For this writing, 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.
I encourage you to use the background material I will attach to further develop your original interpretations and arguments; researching other secondary sources is not required for this writing.
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 Odysseus, 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.
Dear writer of this paper: I have attached all readings you can use. In case that the .zip or .html files are giving you a hard time, I tried to compile all of the content in those files into two primary files (besides the actual stories themselves): GILGAMESH COMPILATION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION and ODYSSEY COMPILATION OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
