Classical Mythology

Order Description
*****IMPORTANT- it’s vital that you understand that this is an analytic paper, NOT a research paper or book report. I actually discourage you from using outside sources/library sources. Further, you may not use any online resources except for the online readings; this includes Wikipedia (an unreliable website anyway), online dictionaries, online mythology websites, etc. DO NOT USE THE INTERNET! (Your paper will be penalized 5% for using online sources.) Try to base your ideas on the readings, lectures, and other course materials. The topics are deliberately open so that you can explore your own ideas within the topic to fit your interests. The topics also have some accompanying questions: you should not simply respond to all of the questions posed in the topic; they are there simply to help get your ideas turning.

Topic is as follows:
Based on the assigned readings and what you’ve learned in lecture, consider power structures (power relations) in Greco-Roman myth. Power, acquiring it, fighting over it, and maintaining power within relationships is a major feature of our myths. Whether it is in the form of gods raping mortals, punishing mortals for their hubris or disrespect, or exercising their divine power and influence in war; or whether it is in the form of mortal men suppressing women, or women finding ways to wrest power from the established power structures that controlled them, power is the name of the game. For this essay, you must identify the one power structure you find to be the most important across our readings and examine its use or appearance across our stories. Some things to consider:
• Perhaps you find the struggle between mortals and immortals to be of primary significance; perhaps you feel that women rising up against societal expectations to be the most important; perhaps you see a similarity in the power structure among immortals to that among mortals (do the gods reflect us, or do we reflect them?). What relationship might there be between the Olympians and the mortals? What kind of a class system can you identify among the gods? Among mortals? Do women find themselves with no power, or do they have to exercise their power in more subtle ways?
• Be sure to center your essay on a central argument. Simply saying, “other gods are subordinate to Zeus,” is NOT a sufficient thesis. Work out the effects of the power structure that you identify. How is this power structure undermined by minorities or by figures further down the social ladder within the structure of power? Base your essay on whatever dynamic you find most important, most interesting, and most inspiring.
• Don’t forget to craft a careful and specific thesis statement around which you build your argument. This essay is not a place simply to list similarities and differences between books. Examine the issue and provide analysis to prove your central argument.