1. Examine the parent-child relationships. Are they harmful or beneficial? Do these relationships involve a learning process?
2. Examine the role of xenia. How do these acts help or hurt the characters and serve to advance the plot?
3. Examine the theme of identity. Whose identities are concealed, and when/how are they revealed?
4. Examine the role of the gods and their interaction with the mortals. Are the gods beneficial or harmful? How do the gods appear in the works? (Remember: Gilgamesh deals with
5. Examine the concept of justice. Who decides what is just? Is justice always served?
6. What do these works say about the qualities that a ruler should possess? Which of these heroes are effective rulers? Why? Which of these heroes are not effective rulers? Why not?
7. What role does good and evil play in these works? Consider how these extremes are influenced by fortune.
