World Literature-Stories from the Odyssey and Gilgamesh

World Literature-Stories from the Odyssey and Gilgamesh

Purpose: For this assignment, you’ll explore one of the topics below, comparing and contrasting Gilgamesh and the Odyssey, and write a 6-10 paragraph essay arguing for and supporting your conclusions. This assignment will build your writing and analysis skills.

You may be able to further flesh 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 flush out 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:

1. Explain the general topic and relevant themes (e.g. heroes, women) and any relevant terms for that topic (suggested 1-2 paragraphs).
2. Apply that topic to both Gilgamesh and to the Odyssey (suggested 4-6 paragraphs). Give specific examples and quotes from the texts to illustrate your points. Use in-text citations for the quotations.
3. 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 explain and analyze 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.

Criteria on which you will be graded:

• Your compare/contrast 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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