short writing assignments

 

Short writing assignment 7. Due in class Monday, May 1.

In Metamorphoses books 12-13 Ovid addresses the definitive epic subject, the story of the Trojan war. From these books of the Met. choose any one episode (or part of an episode) that Ovid tells that is not part of the Troy story as you remember it from Homer and the Aeneid. Discuss the content of the episode and its context (that is, how does Ovid make it a part of the Trojan war story). Then consider what you think the passage you have chosen to discuss says about Ovid's attitude towards the epic tradition. Is he subverting it, ridiculing it, paying homage to it, in awe of it? Try to answer that question by describing particular features (words, phrases, images, ideas, style) in the text of the Met. itself. You shouldn't write more than about 2 pages. Bring your paper to turn in in class.

 

Short writing assignment 6. Due in class Wednesday, April 19.

Consider discussion questions 10.4. Bring to class to turn in a short (approx. 2 page) written response, in which you attempt to answer the question of whether Aeneas' actions at the end of the poem are right or wrong (or in between) based specifically on important parallels for this scene in previous epics. As part of your paper, describe what those important parallels are.

 

Short writing assignment 5. Due in class Wednesday, April 5.

From the Aeneid choose any brief (no more than 10 or so lines) passage for which you can identify a significant parallel or model in either the Iliad, the Odyssey, or the Argonautica. Give the reference for both passages. Then briefly describe them and discuss, in particular, significant changes Virgil has introduced with respect to his model. Consider particular details of Virgil's language which depart from the model, changes in the context or application of the passage, or other aspects that seem important to you. Be brief and direct; you should write no more than two pages.

 

Short writing assignment 4. Due in class Friday, March 17.

Two parts: from anywhere in your reading of Argonautika books 1-2 choose one passage that you determine to be Homeric and describe it and what makes it Homeric; also choose one passage that you find non-Homeric and describe it and what makes it so.

 

Short writing assignment 3. Due Friday, February 24.

Bring to class to turn in a written response (approx. 1-2 pages) to discussion question 4.1:

"On the basis of a close reading of the proems to both the Odyssey and the Iliad, consider ways in which the concerns of the two poems may be the same and different."

Short writing assignment 2. Due Monday, February 13.

From anywhere in your reading of books 1-15 identify one extended (also called "Homeric") simile that appeals to you. Briefly discuss what the points of comparison are and the correspondences between the simile and the surrounding narrative. How are the images in the simile appropriate (or perhaps seemingly not appropriate) to the context? What specifically does the simile add to the description? Your discussion must include a citation of where the passage comes from (by book number and line numbers, also by page in the Lattimore translation). The best descriptions will make reference to specific words and phrases in the passage that you think are important. You only need to discuss a single example, only one passage. You should be focusing on no more than 5 to 10 lines or so. This will allow you to go into significant detail in your brief description.

Short writing assignment 1. Due Friday, February 3.

Bring to class to turn in a short description (a few sentences / maybe a paragraph or two) of you performing the reading assignment for Feb. 3. The types of questions you might want to answer: What was your environment? When were you doing it? Were you taking notes, writing in the text, doing anything? How did it go? Did you understand? Were you confused? How long did it take?