Ancient Greek Literature Essays Examples For College & High School Students in PDF

2035 total results

An Analysis of Homer’s Iliad (683 words, 1 pages)

The Illiad is a story that deals with a small part of the Trojan War. The cause of this war is when Paris, the prince of Troy, sailed to Sparta, seduced and abducted Helen and returned to Troy. When Menelaos discovered that his wife was gone, he gathered a number ... Read More

The Question Who the Hero Is Between Antigone and Creon In “Antigone” (1844 words, 4 pages)

Who Is the Tragic Hero, Antigone or Creon?This analysis is to determine the character that fits the tragic hero profile it was completely based according to the Aristotelian idea of tragic hero and it is understood that hero is neither purely evil or purely wicked the hero must born in ... Read More

A Look at the Character of the Mystical Hero ‘Odysseus’ in Odyssey (310 words, 1 pages)

Odysseus the GreatOf all the mythological heroes, Odysseus would have to be the greatest. His adventures strengthened him and made him wiser. Although his men assisted him in his warfare, Odysseus was always at the heart of the battle. Odysseus was a true epic hero. He was an inspiration to ... Read More

An Analysis of the Characters in the Tragedy Bacchae (1355 words, 2 pages)

In the Bacchae, for whom do you feel more sympathy Pentheus or Dionysus?In the Bacchae, Pentheus and Dionysus have very different characters. They are both very complex characters and they both go through changes that alter the way you see them. At the beginning of the play, we are given ... Read More

An Analysis of the Character of Oedipus as a Hero (939 words, 2 pages)

What exactly is a hero? Is it someone who rushes into a burning house to rescue a child? Or is it a monk who abstains from worldly pleasures and comforts in order to be closer to the Gods? Joseph Cambell, one of the foremost authorities of Greek mythology, defined the ... Read More

The Mixed and Confused Life of Oedipus in the Tragedy “Oedipus the King” (529 words, 2 pages)

Oedipus the king live a mixed and confused life. From the day he was born to the day he went blind. Even though his tragic life was not caused by some thing he did but the fault of his ancestor. The god of the ancient Greece did not for give ... Read More

The Role of Fate in the Play Oedipus the King (1008 words, 2 pages)

Was it that the gods were poking at him like a goldfish in a small glass jar? Was Oedipus's life actually foretold by a prophet before he was ever conceived? Or was it mere happenstance that Oedipus's life had fallen perfectly in place with the words of that prophet? Did ... Read More

A Plot Summary of the Tragedy “Oedipus the King” (4749 words, 8 pages)

Oedipus the KingOedipus the King starts in the legend where Oedipus, king of Thebes, is trying get rid of the plague in his city. Oedipus sends Creon to the oracles at Delphi to get the answer to the city's problems. Creon is away for a long time, and he returns ... Read More

An Analysis of the Play Oedipus the King by Sophocles (1262 words, 5 pages)

Even though Oedipus the King didnt detail all of Oedipus adventures, I thought itwas a good book. I think it was smart of Sophocles to pick out the mostsignificant, life altering phase in Oedipus life to bring to the stage. I also reallyrespect how Sophocles took the myth of Oedipus ... Read More

An Analysis of the Disagreement between Telemachus and Penelope in Homer’s Odyssey (599 words, 1 pages)

The disagreement between Telemachus and Penelope arises from differing opinions on the entertainment of Phemius. Phemius is singing the tale of the Greek warriors of Troy and their homecomings when Penelope descends from her chambers to protest this choice of music. She scolds him, and orders him to stop because ... Read More

An Analysis of the Character of Telemachus in the Odyssey (673 words, 1 pages)

Telemachus' OdysseyThe Odyssey, though named for the great warrior and story focus Odysseus, cannot be soley regarded as a single man's journey. The growth in intellect, maturity, and strength the Odysseus undergoes is reflected distinctly in his son, Telemachus. In the first books, other characters continue to treat him much ... Read More

A Review of Sophocles’ Story “Oedipus Tyrannus” (1213 words, 2 pages)

Text-Based Argument 1 Sophocles' Oedipus TyrannusSophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus is a story in which a city (Thebes) and its people have a problem and ask their King (Oedipus) to solve the problems, which face them, and get life back to normal. The people in Thebes (like many people when they have ... Read More

An Analysis of Oedipus’ Ruin In “Oedipus Rex” (943 words, 2 pages)

Oedipus' RuinSophocles is perhaps one of the greatest tragedians ever. Sophocles said that a man should never consider himself fortunate unless he can look back on his life and remember that life without pain. For Oedipus Rex, looking back is impossible to do without pain. This pain stems from his ... Read More

An Analysis of Oedipus the King (793 words, 1 pages)

In Oedipus the King it is made quite clear by Sophocles that trying to defy your fate is pointless and only results in your fate coming to pass whether you like it or not. The first example of the pointlessness of trying to defy your fate is that of Laius. ... Read More

An Analysis of Sophocles’ Tragedy “Oedipus the King” (824 words, 4 pages)

In Sopohocles' tragedy "Oedipus the King", Oedipus proclaims " it was I who have pronounced these curses on myself" (Madden 37). With this announcement, Oedipus is aware that his pursuit for order has led to a life of chaos. The central thesis is that the presumption of order establishes physical, ... Read More

A View of Achilles in the Iliad and the Odyssey (1333 words, 2 pages)

English GreekA vew of achilles on the Iliadand odesy December 10, 1998 Bernardo Uribe English character The Iliad 91098 Achilles Achilles was the bravest, strongest and most feared of the achian soldier, but pride and desire for revenge would be of a very high expense. With his help victory for ... Read More

The Difference Between Medea and the Chorus in Euripides’ Tragedy “The Medea” (543 words, 1 pages)

Medea and the ChorusThe exchange that takes place between Medea and the Chorus serves several purposes in Euripides' tragedy, The Medea. It allows us to sympathize with Medea in spite of her tragic flaws. It also foreshadows the tragic events that will come to pass. Finally, it contrasts rationality against ... Read More

The Inevitability of Destiny in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Iliad (1110 words, 5 pages)

"Destiny in Gilgamesh and The Iliad" Stories do not need to inform us of things. From Gilgamesh for example, we know that some of the people who lived in the land between the Tigris and Euphatesrivers in the second and third milleniums BCE. We know they celabrated a kingnamed Gilgamesh ... Read More

An Analysis of Robert Fitzgerald’s Translation of the Odyssey (1503 words, 3 pages)

July 7, 2000Odysseus UnmasksIn Robert Fitzgerald's translation of the Odyssey, many scenes exist that parallel, predict, and contrast each other in various ways. For example, the self-revelation scene in book IX from line 548 to line 592 where Odysseus announces his name to the Kyklopes, and also in book XXII ... Read More

An Analysis of the Brains and Brawns of Odysseus (439 words, 2 pages)

Odysseus, the Hero The "Odyssey" is an epic story that has been a significant piece of literature since it wasfirst composed and will remain so for ages to come. One of the reasons it has been so isbecause of the hero, Odysseus. Odysseus is one of the first Greek mythic ... Read More

An Introduction to the Mythology of Medea (292 words, 1 pages)

I found it very difficult to view this narrative as a tragedy, possibly due to my view that Medea was the Heroine and main character rather than Jason. From Jasons point of view it was truly a tragedy that his bride, children and successors were takenfrom him. However, I dont ... Read More

An Analysis of Homer’s The Odyssey (689 words, 2 pages)

The Odyssey, by Homer, is a classical piece of Greek literature. Throughout The Odyssey, Homer makes use of many literary techniques in order to give meaning to the poem beyond its significance as a work of historic fiction and help his readers in the comprehension of the story. One of ... Read More

Exploring the Different Themes in Homer’s Epic “The Odyssey” (1134 words, 2 pages)

Literature Essay Telemakhos VoyageIn the epic the Odyssey, Homer explores a variety of different themes that are prevalent in antiquity. Such themes include the treatment of strangers, hospitality, heroism and honor. Homer uses the character Telemakhos, the son of the main character Odysseus, to help convey the themes of the ... Read More

Constructing the Hero in the Case of The Odyssey (1342 words, 3 pages)

Constructing the HeroMost individuals have a conceived concept of the ideals in which one highly values or desires to acquire. These ideals generally make up the mannerisms of a person one considers a true champion, whom can be existent or imaginary. This relatively immaculate code of ethics is also accompanied ... Read More

An Analysis of the Play, Electra by Sophocles (375 words, 1 pages)

Born in 495 B.C. about a mile northwest of Athens, Sophocles was to become one of the great playwrights of the golden age. The son of s wealthy merchant, he would enjoy all the comforts of thriving Greek empire. He studied all of the arts. At the age of twenty-eight, ... Read More

An Introduction to the Criteria for Heroes (1461 words, 2 pages)

Criteria for HeroesThe ancient Greeks had strict criteria for individuals to follow if they were to be seen as heroes. Above all, a man needed to be a skilled warrior, but this was not the only requirement. To be a hero, a warrior had to respect authority, both governmental and ... Read More

A Look at Odysseus’s Journey to Becoming the Epic Hero in The Odyssey (1122 words, 4 pages)

Odysseus's Journey to Becoming The Epic HeroOutlineI. Introduction - In Homer's The Odyssey the tale of a man's journey back home after long years at war is also the tale of a man's spiritual journey through his own soul.II. The beginning - Odysseus leaves Troy feeling almost immortal and this ... Read More

A Character Analysis of the Epic The Odyssey (1453 words, 3 pages)

The OdysseyAn epic hero can be described as a legendary figure endowed with great strength or ability that is admired for his achievements and noble qualities. To better explain the true meaning of an epic hero, one might compare this definition to the legendary hero in Homers The Odyssey, the ... Read More

The Battle of Moral and Civil Law in Antigone by Sophocles (377 words, 1 pages)

Civil Law vs. Moral lawIn Sophocles play Antigone, Antigones life is taken from her because of her choice to follow the moral law by burying her brother and disobeying the civil law, which forbid this.According to the gods everyone is entitled to the proper burial. Everyone has a right to ... Read More

An Analysis of Haemon’s Actions in the Play Antigone by Sophocles (303 words, 2 pages)

In the lines I recited, Haemon makes points that touch my heart, mind, andsoul. What he pronounces speaks to modern day society as much as it didto ancient society. Sophocles points show through this monologueclearly, which is common to greek literature. Edith Hamilton referred totheir literature as plain, direct, and ... Read More

Ancient Greek Literature Essay Examples