Essays and Research Papers on Greek & Roman Literature

This 5 page paper argues that Odysseus is portrayed as a man whose cunning will stop at nothing in order to complete the mission to return Philoctetes, Neoptolemus and the weapons of Hercules to the battle at Troy. He lies, cheats, seems to be without sympathy or empathy for the suffering old man and is willing to manipulate Neoptolemus ...

An 8 page analysis of the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. The writer argues that Sophocles used the sin of hubris (pride) as a unifying theme throughout the play. No additional sources cited.

A five page paper looking at the major differences between these two ancient Greek philosophers and their teachings. The paper concludes that Plato saw material objects as reflections of divine forms, and thus mundane reality as something not to be questioned but simply to be believed; Aristotle, on the other hand, saw reality as empirical, ...

5 pages in length. Seneca's Oedipus is a quite more violent and gruesome version than that of the play by Sophocles. By comparing the characters in Macbeth and Seneca's Oedipus, one can see what the playwright is able to create in terms of manipulating the audience and how the characters are used in this way. Bibliography lists ...

5 pages in length. The premise of Homer’s "The Iliad" is that of a petty quarrel Achilles allows to get out of hand, nearly destroying all opportunity for the Greeks to defeat the Trojans, as well as arrive back home safely after the battle. This childish action puts to question whether Achilles was truly ...

(5 pp). Ancient Greeks cared deeply about the pursuit of knowledge. Although the truth was often a terrifying concept, they still saw it as a critical virtue. The theater was one way in which the ideas of knowledge and truth were examined. How fate plays a role in this play ...

A Comparison of Themes and Messages; This 5 page paper looks at these two epics and considers the similarities and differences, particular attentions paid to the way in which the message of the work is conveyed and the portrayal and interpretation of the gods. The bibliography cites 2 sources.

A six page paper looking at this Socratic dialogue in terms of its analysis of justice. The paper breaks down Socrates' entire argument as presented in Book I, and shows how Plato used logical deduction to render an abstract argument in concrete terms. No additional sources.

A five page paper looking at this play by the ancient Greek playwright Euripides in terms of its lasting commentary on family relationships. The paper shows that the two cousins -- even though one is mortal and the other is not -- share many personality traits that demonstrate the Greeks' understanding of familial relationships. No ...

A 5 page paper examining Clytemnestra's eventual reaction to Agamemnon's womanizing and autocratic control. Homer portrays Clytemnestra as being weak and insignificant, but Aeschylus portrays her as a strong woman who ultimately has her fill of Agamemnon's domination and complete lack of regard for all women. Agamemnon could have seen the warning signs had he chosen to ...

A six page paper which looks at the use of imagery in Homer’s Iliad, with particular reference to the epic simile and the ways in which it allows the poet to present a multi-faceted and complex elaboration of the basic narrative theme through the use of extended similes. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

6 pages in length. Would Aristophanes have turned over in his grave if he had seen the following feminist production of his play The Birds? Indeed, one could readily argue that he would not be the least bit appalled at what the female director had done to transform his historical work into one ...

A 5 page paper which discusses the role of Cassandra in Aeschylus' work, Orestia. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper. Virgil's Aeneas has the qualities and characteristics of the ideal Roman but of all these characteristics, piety is dominant. This essay discusses three examples of piety in the actions of Aeneas. No bibliography.

A six page paper looking at these two works in terms of their treatment of domesticity, specifically the act of doing laundry. In the Odyssey, laundry assumes a central role in the scene involving Nausikaa and her girlfriends, because the story is slow-paced and allows emphasis to be placed on ordinary life. The Iliad, however, is ...

(10 pp) Who was buried in the tomb below? In early 1977 it was thought to be Philip II, son of Amyntas, king of the Macedonians, and Captain General of the united Greeks. The discovery created an understandable sensation, and aroused world-wide interest in this extraordinary personality - father of Alexander the Great, one ...

This 5 page paper examines the problem of free will v. determinism in light of the Greek tragedy. The paper supports the premise that the characters all have free will and their decisions take them to their ultimate fates. No additional sources cited.

This 6 page paper looks at setting, plot and characterization in these classic works. The Trojan War is discussed along with the themes of love and war. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 5 page essay that analyzes Taktsis' novel The Third Wedding from a sociological standpoint that examines the way that societal dictums concerning gender roles restricted the life choices available to the heroine of the book. No additional sources cited.

3 pages in length. The writer discusses how analyzing the plight of the poor masses, women and other marginalized groups in Roman society within the literary boundaries of Suetonius' The Twelve Caesars requires one to consider the concepts of patriarchy and elitism. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper which provides a brief overview of the Greek god Dionysus. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10 page overview of these two classic plays. Makes the contention that each is just as representative of the literary genre of classic tragedy as is the other. Observes that each is a different twist on one man's perception of the concepts of hope, fate, and destiny. Emphasizes that Oedipus believed ...

A five page paper which looks at the concepts of justice and revenge as exemplified in the story of the House of Atreus, and the ways in which revenge plays a part in the social and cultural codes of modern day society, in terms of the structure of the Mafia and the desire of individuals ...

(5 pp). When we ask ourselves how Plato arrives at any decision it is easiest to understand that philosopher will lead us across the stream of our own lack of knowledge, stepping from one stone of definition to the next. Thus when we reach the "other side," or have picked up the knowledge, ...

5 pages in length. Within this paper the discussion is about the freedom, or lack thereof, by humans contrasted with the impact of the Gods and Fate in The Oresteia Trilogy by Aeschylus and Virgil's Aeneid. In these two brilliant literary classics, we find that humans in fact had little control over their actions or outcome when it came ...