For this essay, focus on The Epic of Gilgamesh, Medea, and/or The Book of Songs. There are many ways
in which you might approach these texts. You could write about one of the texts and apply one of the critical
methods that we have discussed in class. You could compare/contrast themes in the two or more of the
texts and discuss how each theme is treated by the writer. Some other ideas you could consider in your
essay include:
How would you describe the relationship between Enkidu and Shamat in Gilgamesh? What does each
character represent and how does their interaction bring about change for the both of them? You could also
answer the same questions about Gilgamesh and Enkidu.
What does Gilgamesh say about the culture of ancient Mesopotamia? Can you determine what is being
said about the afterlife in the text? What about the culture’s relationship with the gods? What ideals are
most important to the people in ancient Mesopotamia?
Take a look at Medea from a feminist perspective. What is illuminated in the text when viewed through a
feminist lens? How are women treated? What are the expectations for women in ancient Greece. You can
look at Medea, but you can also analyze the Chorus—remember that the Chorus is comprised of
Corinthian women.
Take a look at Gilgamesh, Enkidu, Shamat Jason, Medea, or any of the characters from Ovid’s
Metamorphoses from a psychoanalytical perspective. You could choose one character to analyze or
compare/contrast two or more characters. What might be helpful is to determine how the writer intends for
us to see these characters, not necessarily our reaction to the characters.
Look at one or more of the poems in the excerpted The Book of Songs. The selections I have chosen deal
with love (You are free to deal with any of the poems outside of the list). You can write about the attitudes
toward love that you feel are presented in those poems. Alternatively, you could suggest a philosophical
(Confucian), psychological, or feminist reading to one or two of the poems. One more idea would be to
compare how women are seemingly treated in the poems versus the treatment of women in Gilgamesh or
Medea.
You are not limited to these choices. You may explore any aspect of the works. For example, you could
make a connection to the works with modern cultural artifacts: film, modern literature, television, video
games, etc.
Your essay should be between 600-750 words. You may conduct research for sources that help bolster
your ideas, but keep in mind that the assertion made in the essay is expected to be composed of your own
ideas. Please watch out for plot summary. If you find yourself relating the plot of the text at length, then you
need to reevaluate your focus. Remember that you should start your essay with a claim. That claim should
be analyzed in the body of essay. Use plot summary and quotes judiciously. If you use sources in this piece
(you are not required to), include a Works Cited page and in-text citations. You do not need to include the
primary text in the Works Cited page, but you should include the page or line numbers for direct quotes or
plot summary. Of course, follow MLA style for the formatting of the essay.