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Essay Instructions: An Explication of Homer

Length: 4-6 pages


This assignment asks you to argue a thesis about the Homeric texts. A thesis is a claim that requires substantiation through sustained argument. The thesis that you choose for this assignment will allow you to explicate Homer--that is, it will necessitate that you elaborate upon, explain, or clarify something that you have observed about Homer. For example, you might argue, "Homer is about Nature's struggle to prevail over Chaos." Such a thesis not only requires that the writer provide reasons, but it promises an explication of Homer. It suggests a better understanding of Homer. Another possible thesis is, "Above all other Homeric characters, Helen emerges as the true hero." Again, such a thesis demands argumentation and suggests to the reader a better understanding of the Homeric texts.

Your thesis must not attempt to argue the obvious. For example, it would be pointless to argue, "Homer's poems demonstrate the reality of divine intervention in human affairs." Although it is apparent that Homer did believe in divine intervention, this is an appearance that should be obvious to any casual reader of Homer. Thus, it requires no argumentation. As a general rule, when choosing your thesis, avoid that argument in regard to which you cannot imagine an informed audience disagreeing. Rather, select an argument that demands explication, one that you know you will have to defend against objections. A more intriguing argument would be, "Homer's poems invite demythologization, and so suggest that the poet did not truly believe in the myths which he employed as literary devices." Whether such a thesis could be successfully argued is an issue that would require separate consideration; however, the thesis itself is satisfactory in that it meets the criteria of demanding a sustained defence or argument and in that it holds out the promise to the reader of a better understanding of Homer.

Essay Instructions: Don't concentrate on the epic to the exclusion of its impact, and
provide some biographical data on Homer and his impact:

Notes:
The topic of the term paper is an historical figure from one of the three eras we studied during the semester, roughly 1000 B.C. to 1500 A.D.. The paper should focus on the contribution(s) of that historical figure to the development of the Western Civilization. This may include political, economic, philosophical or intellectual contributions.

I do not want to see five pages of a biography that I could and probably have read in a book, I want to see your interpretation of the contribution(s) that person made to the growth of our civilization.

You will need to cite your works in the paper, I prefer the American Psychological Association (APA) method of formatting a paper. You may use primary sources, historical biographies and Internet sources.

This needs to be a custom paper. Thank you for your help.

Essay Instructions: The thesis statement should appear very close to the beginning of the paper. The paper should be argumentative. It should make a case. The paper is on Homer, author of the Illiad and the Odyssey, please use a primary source as the main influence for writing the paper and make sure to reference it in the bibliography. An excellent primary source is: Volume one; Western Civilization; Noble, Strauss, Osheim, Neuschel, Cohen, Roberts - Pages R46, R47 and R48. Should be 2 complete typed pages.

Essay Instructions: The Theme of Quest in Homer's Odyssey and Dante's Inferno. 2 of 5 sources can be The Odyssey and Inferno.
need to quote each source at least once.
need to use prenthetical citations,
before submitting, need to submit to turnitin.com for originality report.