ESSAY #1 concerning The Odyssey
Due on Turnitin on Tuesday, 11/3
Please begin writing 10 days before the due date to ensure you have time to proofread and edit.
Please write about ONE of the two topics printed below.
Essay Topic 1.
The hero, Odysseus, in the Odyssey cries at key moments in the unfolding of the text. In particular, Odysseus cries while on
Kalypso’s island in Book V, line 157 ff (p. 85) and while listening to the song of the minstrel in Book VIII, line 560 ff (p.
140-141).
Hypothesis: Odysseus reveals the strength of his commitment to values respected by his culture when he cries. His tears reveal
him to be a man deserving of the respect of peers.
Do you agree or disagree with all or part of this statement? Why? Please examine this issue in a 4-page page essay. Please
integrate four BRIEF quotations (maximum 10 words per quotation) into your body paragraphs to support your unfolding
argument.
HINT: You may find it helpful to observe prior to writing which other characters in The Odyssey cry or otherwise express
emotion. What is the significance of these expressions of feeling?
Essay Topic 2.
Initially in Book X of the Odyssey and later in Book XII Odysseus’ first mate Eurylokhos refuses to obey Odysseus’ orders
because he deems them to be reckless. In your essay please examine the conflict between Odysseus and Eurylokhos that arises
either in Book X or in Book XII and determine which of the two men you think is right and why. Please integrate four BRIEF
quotations (maximum 10 words per quotation) into your body paragraphs to support your unfolding argument.
Do you agree or disagree with all or part of this statement? Why? Please examine this issue in a 4-page page essay. Please
integrate four BRIEF quotations (maximum 10 words per quotation) into your body paragraphs to support your unfolding
argument.
HINT: Before writing I suggest that you try first to define what the DUTY of each man is both to each other and to others.
Consider what the class discussion we have had this semester reveal about characters’ views of “duty.” You may find it helpful
to review not only relevant passages in the Odyssey, but also the essay, “The Ancient World,,” posted on BB in Downloads, .and
the short narrative, “Candaules and Gyges,”by Herodotus, also posted on BB and to be assigned for class on 10/22.
Instructions
Your discussion should:
● Assert and prove a clearly identified thesis idea.
● Support claims with logical arguments grounded in an evaluation of evidence (paraphrases, descriptions in your own words,
direct quotations).
● Include 5 brief quotations (10 words MAXIMUM per quote).
Technical Requirements:
● Fulfill Essay Length: Separate title page + 4 pages text + bibliography = GRAND TOTAL 6 pages.
● Adhere to format guidelines for essays in the syllabus.
● Use 12 point type Times New Roman font; Double space.
● Set margins specified in syllabus top and bottom and left and right of page.
● Provide a separate title page containing required information INCLUDING AN ESSAY TITLE REFLECTING THESIS
IDEA. Please review title page guidelines in the syllabus.
● Underline thesis statement in your Introduction and the topic sentence of each body paragraph.
● Number your pages.
● Identify, according to MLA format, quotations and paraphrases included in body of essay.
● Provide MLA formatted list of Works Cited at the end of your essay.
Criteria to be considered when evaluating your work:
● Clarity and appropriateness of the point of view of the discussion
● Logic and coherence of the supporting argument; clarity and appropriateness of transitions
● Effectiveness of the use of evidence
● Mastery of the mechanics of written English, grammatical control, effective choice and use of vocabulary, eloquence.
flow and beauty of language
● Adherence to ESSAY formatting guidelines (see above and syllabus)
● Inclusion of separate title page containing required information (see above and syllabus) and APA formatted
bibliography. REMEMBER TO GIVE YOUR ESSAY A TITLE THAT REFLECTS YOUR THESIS IDEA.
● MLA formatted identification of quotations, paraphrases and references made in any form to work from other sources
[review MLA rules at http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10
IMPORTANT: This assignment is intended to give you the chance to develop your own responses to literary texts into an analytical
argument. It is NOT a research paper. You may not consult sources other than those suggested in the essay prompts. (no on-line or paper
bound essays, articles or books, etc allowed.)..
Please take note: To reiterate, you may not consult essays, articles, chapters of books, etc.–of any kind, found
anywhere–either to absorb the information in them or to quote such material (either explicitly by citing it, or implicitly
without any citation, therely falsely claiming the work to be your own). Doing either will result in failure of your essay..
