Compare and contrast the heroic tales of antiquity and the medieval age that we read this semester: The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex and Beowulf. Discuss differences in the respective cultures and periods that produced these works, use of unique literary devices and themes. Provide an argument as to why these works should be required reading in your conclusion. (Discuss any combination of at least two of the works mention
You must include primary and secondary sources, citing no fewer than 2 primary sources and 5 secondary academic journals or texts.
Requirements: Choose one of three posted essay prompts. Write in APA format, citing the primary sources listed in prompt and five unique secondary sources. Use 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced with one inch margins.
Prompt #1 Outline Example
1. (approx. ½ page) Thesis and list major supporting arguments (mention the name of each text, approximate or exact year of publication, and genre of literature
a. Ex: “Marie de France’s medieval Anglo-Norman Breton lai written in the Arthurian romance tradition, Lanval (c. 1170), tells the tale of a knight similar to Chretien de Troyes’ Story of the Grail (c. 1176) but dissimilar in use of literary devices and theme, revealing changes in medieval culture particularly the evolution of and increasing tension between the traditions of courtly love and the code of chivalry.”
2. (approx. 1 page) Supporting argument #1
a. Evidence from primary text #1 (paraphrase or direct quote)
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #1 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title) that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
1. Ex: “According to prominent Arthurian romance scholar __(author name)__ (publication year) as argued in his article “_(title)____”, courtly love while romantic in nature in Marie de France’s (c.1170) Lanval is constrained by the chivalric tradition and rather used as a vehicle for understanding the consequences of violating a code meant to confirm loyalty between men in Chretien de Troyes’ (c. 1176) Story of the Grail through the secondary theme of betrayal and infidelity.”
b. Evidence from primary text #2 (paraphrase or direct quote
c. Evidence from primary text #3 (paraphrase or direct quote) if the prompt you choose requires three)
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #2 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title) that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
d. Deductive statement about how the themes inform our understanding of cultural change
3. (approx. 1 page) Supporting argument #2
a. Evidence from primary text #1
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #3 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title)
that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
b. Evidence from primary text #2
c. Evidence from primary text #3 (if the prompt you choose requires three texts)
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #4 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title) that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
d. Deductive statement about how the themes inform our understanding of cultural change
4. (approx. 1 page) Supporting argument #3
a. Evidence from primary text #1
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #2 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title) that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
b. Evidence from primary text #2
c. Evidence from primary text #3 (if the prompt you choose requires three texts)
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #5 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title) that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
d. Deductive statement about how the themes inform our understanding of cultural change
5. (approx. 1 page) Supporting argument #4
a. Evidence from primary text #1
b. Evidence from primary text #2
c. Evidence from primary text #3 (if the prompt you choose requires three texts)
i. Paraphrase or quote scholarly article #1 (with mention of author (publication date) and article title) that supports or adds something unique to your evaluation of evidence
d. Deductive statement about how the themes inform our understanding of cultural change
6. (½ page) Conclusion statement (reiterating thesis)
a. Repeat statement of significance of themes identified
b. Discuss importance of the texts evaluated (why they each contribute to the literature meaningfully) and what cultural changes occurred in culture per evidence from the texts
c. Conclude with deduction of what these themes indicate about the culture(s) that produced the texts