Choose one of the following essay prompts and write a clear, concise essay with a solid thesis and evidence in the form of examples from the text to support your ideas. Your essay should be five paragraphs at a minimum.
1. One of the common themes in ancient epic centers on the hero's need to control his rashness and arrogance. In fact, because of their special place in their societies and their special abilities, heroes are often guilty of hubris (overweening pride). Gilgamesh is arguably guilty of rash behavior and hubris.
Do you feel that Joseph ever shows hubris? Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the two heroes in relation to their arrogance, pride, and rash behavior (or lack of these character flaws). You might consider the following questions as you plan your essay:
Which of the two is more rash in the beginning of this story? Why do you say so? In what ways does each of the two change? In other words, do they learn to accept their limitations? Which of the two changes the most as a hero in your opinion? Why do you say so? Be sure to give examples from each of the epics (in terms of paraphrasing what the characters do or say) to support your views.
2. We have been discussing the role of women in ancient literature. While women often do play important roles in epic, it is true that they are not usually the main heroes of these works. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the roles of two women in Gilgamesh. You might consider the following questions as you plan your essay:
Which women seem to play a more central role? Why do you say so? Are the women who have important roles in the epic mainly goddesses or are there mortal women with important roles? Do human women seem to be depicted as victims of circumstances beyond their control?
What seems to be the narrator's attitudes towards women in the epic? Why do you say so? Be sure to give examples from the text (in terms of paraphrasing the actions, words, and roles of women and the heroes and their relationships with women) to support your views.
3. Write an essay in which you compare and contrast the role of the divine beings Gilgamesh and Genesis (the sections that we have read for class). You might consider the following ideas as you plan your essay:
In which of the two texts do the divine beings seem more powerful? Why do you say so? In which of the two texts do the gods seem more anthropomorphized (human-like)? Why do you say so? Or do you feel that the gods are very similar in the two texts you are discussing? How so?
Be sure to use specific examples from each of the two texts (in terms of paraphrasing the actions of characters and deities) to support your ideas. Please note also that this question is asking you to respond to the literary texts we have read and to do a literary analysis. It is not meant to be a discussion of individual and personal theological beliefs. Use the texts as evidence for your assertions.