Greek Literature-Guided Questions
Please review the Greek Literature: Storypoints, the readings, and the Greek Literature materials in the module for Week Two. After you read each story or section, provide short answers to the following questions and then upload here.
1. Do you agree that the primary purpose of Theogony seems to be to establish Zeus as a Supreme God? Give three reasons for why you do or do not agree with this statement.
2. One “theme” in Theogony appears to be the conflict between the generations of gods. Explain two other themes that you see in this work.
3. Do you think Odysseus handled the situation with the Cyclopes well? Give three reasons for why or why not?
4. Do you agree that parts of Odysseus’s journey show a Greek bias against other cultures? Give three reasons for why you do or do not agree with this statement. What point of view are you given in the story? How are non-Greeks portrayed?
5. Draw two comparisons and two contrasts between the poetry of Sappho and the poetry of Alcaeus. Use specific examples and lines from the poems to support the points that you make.
6. Explain how “The Story of Solon and King Croesus” from The Histories by Herodotus functions as a “pseudo” history.
Roman Literature-Guided Questions
Please review the readings, the Roman Literature Story Points, the videos and the materials from this Week Two module. After you read each story or section, provide short answers to the following questions and then upload them here. If needed, please appropriately cite any resources you use and include quotations for materials that are not properly paraphrased.
1. Do you think Aeneas is an appropriate hero and founder for Rome? Give two reasons for why or why not. Use the Story Point slides and text fromThe Aeneid that you read in order to answer this question.
2. Draw one comparison and one contrast between what you know about Odysseus and what you know about Aeneas.
3. Were you surprised by anything you read in the Story Points about the Romulus and Remus section that got added by the historian, Livy, when he wrote a “sequel” to The Aeneid. Explain two things that stood out to you or that surprised you about the overview of this sequel.
4. Show how you see some use of opposites within the poetry of Horace. Use specific examples from the some of the poems to demonstrate at least two general points that you make.
5. What are two things that you noticed about the form that Ovid uses in his poetry? For example, does he use rhyme or metaphors? Use specific examples from some of the poems to demonstrate at least two general points that you make.
6. Do you agree or disagree that the poetry of Ovid seems “immoral.” Explain using two general points and examples from what you read.
7. What “persona” does Catullus seem create in his poetry for himself. A “persona” is the role or character that the author creates for him or herself. Explain using two general points and examples from what you read.
8. Please summarize three things that you noticed about Roman poets from the examples of poetry that we read. Use specific examples to support the three general points that you make.
Links to Sources for Readings
http://faculty.sgc.edu/rkelley/textbook.htm (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Kelly)
http://oer.galileo.usg.edu/english-textbooks/2/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Galileo)
Reference Sites:
http://www.poemhunter.com (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (poemhunter)
http://www.poetryfoundation.org (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (poetryfoundation)
The brackets indicate where to find the readings from the Open Source Textbook list or links to sources are in parenthesis. You may need to cut and paste these into your browser to work. Other sources that contain the actual selections and not just commentaries about them are also acceptable to use.
Greek Literature:
1. Sections of Hesiod’s Theogony: (A version of this work can be found here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Hesiod,_the_Homeric_Hymns_and_Homerica/The_Theogony (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
2. Section of Homer’s Odyssey, “Book 9”: [in Galileo above-271-276; Odyssey begins on 237. If unfamiliar with the story, you should skim the work to get context of this Book]
3. Poetry of Alcaeus and Sappho: [search for Sappho on poetryfoundation reference site above. Poems by Sappho at bottom of entry. Search for Alcaeus on poemhunter site above. Choose Alcaeus of Mytilene]
4. Herodotus, “The Story of Solon and Croesus” (version can be found here:http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/herodotus-creususandsolon.asp (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
5. Antigone by Sophocles: (version can be found here: http://classics.mit.edu/Sophocles/antigone.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.)
Roman Literature:
1. Poetry by Catullus [“Lyrics” in Kelly above]
2. Poetry by Horace [search poemhunter above using Horace. Focus on: “Carpe Diem,” “Treacherous Girl,” “Spring,” “Winter,” “Praise of Wine,” and “Praising Augustus.” These are not necessarily in order of appearance on the pages.]
3. Excerpt from The Aeneid by Vergil, “Book IV”: [in Kelly above, focus on pages 47-67-you may want to skim the rest of the selection if you are unfamiliar with The Aeneid.]
4. Poetry by Ovid: [in Kelly above, focus on “The Art of Love” but look over “Metamorphosis.”]
