Instructions

Essay should be a 600-900 word essay focusing on the assigned readings from Weeks 2 and 3. Use as evidence primarily passages from the story or stories that you discuss. The essay should be in MLA, APA, or Chicago format (whichever you’re comfortable with). A reference page and in-text citations are required.The essay should be focused on making a debatable claim about the text(s) in question; informational essays or essays consisting of summary are not appropriate. The claim should be supported with discussion of specific passages from the text(s) on which the essay is focused.

Choose 1 of the following topics:

1. The Tragic Hero: In Oedipus Tyrannus, should we view Oedipus as tragic only, or can we find something heroic in his actions and end? Support your argument by discussing events and lines from the play.
2. Being Human: Consider Oedipus’ attempts to outrun prophecy: what does Sophocles seem to be arguing about human potential and limitations? Support your argument by discussing events and lines from the play.
3. Learning Culture from Literature: choose 1 poem by Li Bai, and analyze it for a picture of the culture in which Li Bai was writing. What is one piece of information about that culture that we can infer from the poem, and what does Li Bai seem to be saying about that information? Support your argument by discussing passages from the poem you chose.
4. Shared Themes: Choose 1 poem by Li Bai, and identify in it a theme that you also can find in Oedipus Tyrannus. Compare and contrast the two texts’ treatment of the theme. Do they deal with that theme in a way that is more alike or different? Focus your thesis on arguing how the treatments are more similar/different, and support your argument by discussing passages from the two readings.