Imagine yourself stranded on a desert isle. Which 2 of
our epic characters would you choose to be on the island with,
and why? In a well-written paragraph discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of your choice.
Repetition is a frequent technique the author(s) used in the
Epic of Gilgamesh, as is the theme of duality. Enkidu and
Gilgamesh are near mirrors of each other, for example. They
undertake two quests: one against Humbaba, the other against the
Bull of Heaven. Discuss other examples of duality and repetition
in the story. Why does the epic contain these elements?
Is there a “heroic code” that guides the decisions of the
characters in The Iliad? Discuss the values of the Homeric hero,
paying particular attention to contrasting characters such as
Achilles, Odysseus, Paris, and Hector. Does one character emerge
as more heroic than the rest? Does one character emerge as less
heroic?
Hospitality, the concept of welcoming visitors and treating
them well, was important to the Ancient Greeks. Find examples in
the Odyssey of times when the “rules” of hospitality are
followed and times when it wasn’t. What role did these examples
play in the epic?
What esteemed Roman virtues are embodied in Aeneas? Give
examples from the Aeneid of each virtue in operation.
Which women from history and myth does Dido represent in the
Aeneid? How do these representations contribute to the
Aeneid as a whole and the the Augustus' imperial project?
Which of the heroes we've studied would be best suited to lead
the United States? Discuss why that hero would be better
than the others we've studied.