Assignment Prompt & Instructions
– ## literary_assignment.docx
– ## WLI_Sample_Essay1.docx
**## literary_assignment.docx**
[22:22, 11/15/2025] Leo:
To develop effective topics for a literary essay, start by identifying works of literature that intrigue you, then explore recurring themes, literary devices, or character analyses within those works. Consider the author's background, historical context, and how these elements might influence the text. Narrowing down broad topics and focusing on specific aspects will lead to more focused and insightful analysis.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Choose a literary work that interests you:
Personal connection:
Select a book, play, poem, or short story that you enjoyed or found thought-provoking.
Unanswered questions:
Identify aspects of the work that you found confusing, intriguing, or challenging to understand.
Exploration of themes:
Consider works that explore universal themes like love, loss, identity, or social issues.
2. Identify potential topics:
Recurring themes:
Analyze how themes like betrayal, redemption, or the corrupting influence of power are presented.
Character analysis:
Examine the development of characters, their motivations, and their relationships with others.
Literary devices:
Explore the author's use of symbolism, imagery, metaphor, or foreshadowing and how they contribute to the overall meaning.
Historical and social context:
Investigate the historical period in which the work was written and how it reflects or challenges the social norms of the time.
Comparative analysis:
Compare and contrast different works by the same author or by different authors on similar themes or using similar techniques.
3. Narrow down your topic:
Be specific: Avoid overly broad topics like "love in Shakespeare." Instead, focus on a specific aspect of love in a particular play, like the role of love in Romeo and Juliet's tragic fate.
Consider your interests: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you, as this will make the research and writing process more engaging.
Ensure sufficient evidence: Make sure there's enough textual evidence to support your analysis.
4. Develop a thesis statement:
Clear argument:
A strong thesis statement should clearly state your argument about the literary work.
Specific and focused:
The thesis should be narrow enough to be supported by evidence but broad enough to allow for insightful analysis.
5. Gather evidence and write the essay:
Support your claims: Use specific examples from the text to support your arguments.
Cite your sources: Properly cite all sources to avoid plagiarism.
Revise and edit: Make sure your essay is well-organized, clear, and free of errors.
By following these steps, you can develop compelling and insightful literary essay topics that will lead to a strong and engaging analysis of your chosen work.
[22:22, 11/15/2025] Leo:
World Literature Writing Assignment
This essay assignment of approximately four pages (typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman Font, MLA style) requires you to meditate on some limited aspects of the works we have covered. Specifically, students will generate a topic of interest, investigate it, and formulate a thesis and cogent argument based upon their understanding of the topic. For example, The Odyssey comments on notions of hospitality, heroism, and home. You might elect to explore one of these topics further by conducting some research* into Homer’s epic. This research, coupled with your own creative viewpoint could make for an interesting argumentative/expository essay.
In Oedipus Rex, we discussed ideas regarding fate, destiny, identity, and the capriciousness of the gods. These broad topics provide excellent starting points for an essay. The next step is to propose a working thesis based upon some facet of that topic. A thesis will seek to account for how a particular textual aspect seems to work. For example, in Oedipus, prophecy and divine revelations are fairly important topics. But, what does the play seem to convey by deploying these elements in the particular manner that it does? A working thesis might be that we are all subject to the whims of the gods; hence, we must all live with a certain degree of fear and trembling. You may support this view with textual quotations and/or legitimate scholarly sources.
Rubric:
Focus: A clear, persuasive assertion about some aspect of the text supported by textual examples throughout the body.
Development: Specific textual quotes and analysis in multiple paragraphs.
Grammar and MLA Style: Final drafts will be well proofread and free of grammatical errors. MLA format should be strictly followed, including parenthetical quotes and works cited page.
Organization: The essay must have a clear pattern announced in the introduction and signposted throughout with transitions.
*Scholarly articles may be accessed via the university’s database.
**See UNC Writing Center or Purdue OWL for MLA help.
**## WLI_Sample_Essay1.docx**
[Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
Student
Professor Justin Williamson
World Literature I
Date
_The Odyssey_
The
_Odyssey_ was written by Homer during the eight century B.C.E. Homer was a well-known author during this time. He wrote both the
_Iliad_ and the
_Odyssey_ during this time. Both stories are based on the events of the Trojan war that was between the people of Troy and the Greeks. The
_Odyssey_ shows the journey of Odysseus’ trek back to his home after the war was over. The journey shows many obstacles during his journey of his homecoming. The events of the story also tell of the hospitality of the people Odysseus comes into contact with and the loyalty that Odysseus shows to returning to his home. (Norton 124-129).
There are many cases of hospitality in the
_Odyssey._ Hospitality is treating someone kind that you come into contact with. During this time, the Greeks were infatuated with xenia. This meant they took care of guests- whether passing through or staying a while. In this text, Odysseus comes into contact with many people that treated him hospitably. One notable account of hospitality toward Odysseus was that of Calypso. When Odysseus reached the isle that Calypso lived on, she invited him into her home. Over the span of the eight years that Odysseus resided with Calypso, she began to become too hospitable. She allowed him to sleep in her own bed. She provided him with everything he needed and desired. She did not want Odysseus to continue his journey to his home. He was trapped with Calypso. Athena does a most hospitable work to help Odysseus. Athena presents a request to her father, Zeus, to loosen Calypso’s hold on Odysseus to allow him to escape and continue his journey home. (Homer 178-237). Odysseus was fortunate to have encountered such good hospitable people on his long expedition home after the Trojan war.
While there were many good accounts of hospitality, there were many cases that were the inverse. While in the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus is treated with hospitality by all except Polyphemus, a one-eyed Cyclops. Polyphemus tries to eat the people with Odysseus. Odysseus and his men escape the monster. Odysseus’ men also did not show hospitality to everyone they came into contact with. Odysseus’ men had been told not to come in contact with the cattle of the Sun. They disobeyed this order and killed the cattle which was the most unhospitable thing they could do while passing through the land. (Homer 178-255). Through completing these acts, Odysseus encountered hardships from the monster and brought hardships upon himself.
Throughout this story of the
_Odyssey,_ Odysseus presents many examples of loyalty. This loyalty extends to his homeland, his home, and his family. While on the isle with Calypso, Odysseus could have stayed in her house. He would have had anything that he desired or needed. He could have started a new beginning and family with Calypso, a woman much prettier than his own wife, Penelope. Odysseus does not desire this. He longs to return to his own home and his own wife and family. While on the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus sees how wonderful the land is. The land will grow crops and is beautiful. The land is green and full of life. On the other hand, Odysseus homeland will not grow crops well due to it having so many stones. Odysseus could have also made a new life and home with the Phaeacians, but chooses to continue his journey to Ithaca, his home. Had Odysseus fell trap to each of these things, he would have never returned home. Odysseus was very loyal to his family, his home, and his homeland. (Norton 127-128). Leaving each of these new opportunities to return to something that he has not experienced in ten years and the chance of it not even being there any more, shows a great deal of dedication and love he has for his family.
Odysseus encountered many obstacles on his homecoming journey after the Trojan war. He had to travel across the sea from Troy to Ithaca to even reach his home. Through this voyage, he run into many setbacks. Odysseus was taken captive by Calypso for eight years before Athena helped him escape (Norton 127). When Odysseus reaches the Phaeacians, the horrible one-eyed Cyclops named, Polyphemus tries to serve Odysseus and his men as food. Odysseus has to defeat Polyphemus and continue on his journey to Ithaca. Right after they had set sail again, Odysseus and his crew ended up on another island and were almost eaten by the Laistrygonians. Another obstacle, Odysseus and his crew faced was the year that the crew was turned into pigs. In the span of a year, Odysseus figured out how to change the pigs back into the men. They could continue on the journey now (Homer 178-363). Odysseus continued to press through each obstacle he faced so he could make it back to his home.
Ten years after the end of the Trojan war, Odysseus returned to his home in Ithaca. He faced many trials while on his homecoming journey, but they did not end there. Odysseus had to remain disguised for a while after his arrival to scope out what was taking place in his house. There are suitors in his house that have taken control over it. He has to figure out who he can and cannot trust in his homeland. So many things have changed in the ten years he has been gone. Even though things have changed, including Odysseus, Penelope recognized him even while disguised. Penelope proposes that she will marry anyone who can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot the arrow through a dozen ox heads. This is a feat that she knows Odysseus can only accomplish (Homer 322-466). According to Melissa Mueller with the Texas University Press, the touch and the familiarity with the bow brings Odysseus right back to how things used to be before he had to leave for the Trojan war (Recognition and the Forgotten Senses). He completes the task without any issue and then shoots the opposing suitors. The last obstacle he faced was proposed by his wife. She brings out their bed and she knows if it really is Odysseus then he will know the bed could not be moved. Odysseus passes the test and is happily reunited with his wife and family after 10 long years (Homer 322-466).
Even though this epic was written in the eighth century B.C.E., there are many ways to apply it to daily life. You can see that it was the best for Homer when others that he encountered were hospitable to him and his crew and when he was hospitable to others. Through all of the trials and new opportunities, Odysseus remained loyal and faithful to his wife, family, and home. He loved his family and realized that nothing could be as good as what he already had. Odysseus did not give up on his journey even when he was almost killed many times. He took the journey one day at the time and through much agony, he made it home. He was very elated when he got what he was working towards. If each person would take the same view as Odysseus did then he/she could achieve and complete whatever he/she wanted.
Overall, Homer’s
_Odyssey_ was an account that marked literature for years to come. Through this story, Homer showed the accounts of a man’s journey home after the Trojan war. Homer showcased the many trials that Homer faced both on the journey and when he returned home to Ithaca. Odysseus never gave up. This story shows one of perseverance, love for family, and how to treat people. Many things can be learned from the
_Odyssey._
Works Cited
MUELLER, MELISSA. "Recognition and the Forgotten Senses in the Odyssey."
_Helios_, vol. 43,
no. 1, Spring2016, pp. 1-20. EBSCO
_host_, libproxy.wmcarey.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tr
e&db=lfh&AN=117003741&site=eds-live.
Puchner, Martin, ed.
_The Norton Anthology of World Literature_. Shorter Third ed. Vol. 1. New
York: W.W. Norton, 2013. Print.
**## WLI_Sample_Essay1.docx**
[Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
Student
Professor Justin Williamson
World Literature I
Date
_The Odyssey_
The
_Odyssey_ was written by Homer during the eight century B.C.E. Homer was a well-known author during this time. He wrote both the
_Iliad_ and the
_Odyssey_ during this time. Both stories are based on the events of the Trojan war that was between the people of Troy and the Greeks. The
_Odyssey_ shows the journey of Odysseus’ trek back to his home after the war was over. The journey shows many obstacles during his journey of his homecoming. The events of the story also tell of the hospitality of the people Odysseus comes into contact with and the loyalty that Odysseus shows to returning to his home. (Norton 124-129).
There are many cases of hospitality in the
_Odyssey._ Hospitality is treating someone kind that you come into contact with. During this time, the Greeks were infatuated with xenia. This meant they took care of guests- whether passing through or staying a while. In this text, Odysseus comes into contact with many people that treated him hospitably. One notable account of hospitality toward Odysseus was that of Calypso. When Odysseus reached the isle that Calypso lived on, she invited him into her home. Over the span of the eight years that Odysseus resided with Calypso, she began to become too hospitable. She allowed him to sleep in her own bed. She provided him with everything he needed and desired. She did not want Odysseus to continue his journey to his home. He was trapped with Calypso. Athena does a most hospitable work to help Odysseus. Athena presents a request to her father, Zeus, to loosen Calypso’s hold on Odysseus to allow him to escape and continue his journey home. (Homer 178-237). Odysseus was fortunate to have encountered such good hospitable people on his long expedition home after the Trojan war.
While there were many good accounts of hospitality, there were many cases that were the inverse. While in the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus is treated with hospitality by all except Polyphemus, a one-eyed Cyclops. Polyphemus tries to eat the people with Odysseus. Odysseus and his men escape the monster. Odysseus’ men also did not show hospitality to everyone they came into contact with. Odysseus’ men had been told not to come in contact with the cattle of the Sun. They disobeyed this order and killed the cattle which was the most unhospitable thing they could do while passing through the land. (Homer 178-255). Through completing these acts, Odysseus encountered hardships from the monster and brought hardships upon himself.
Throughout this story of the
_Odyssey,_ Odysseus presents many examples of loyalty. This loyalty extends to his homeland, his home, and his family. While on the isle with Calypso, Odysseus could have stayed in her house. He would have had anything that he desired or needed. He could have started a new beginning and family with Calypso, a woman much prettier than his own wife, Penelope. Odysseus does not desire this. He longs to return to his own home and his own wife and family. While on the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus sees how wonderful the land is. The land will grow crops and is beautiful. The land is green and full of life. On the other hand, Odysseus homeland will not grow crops well due to it having so many stones. Odysseus could have also made a new life and home with the Phaeacians, but chooses to continue his journey to Ithaca, his home. Had Odysseus fell trap to each of these things, he would have never returned home. Odysseus was very loyal to his family, his home, and his homeland. (Norton 127-128). Leaving each of these new opportunities to return to something that he has not experienced in ten years and the chance of it not even being there any more, shows a great deal of dedication and love he has for his family.
Odysseus encountered many obstacles on his homecoming journey after the Trojan war. He had to travel across the sea from Troy to Ithaca to even reach his home. Through this voyage, he run into many setbacks. Odysseus was taken captive by Calypso for eight years before Athena helped him escape (Norton 127). When Odysseus reaches the Phaeacians, the horrible one-eyed Cyclops named, Polyphemus tries to serve Odysseus and his men as food. Odysseus has to defeat Polyphemus and continue on his journey to Ithaca. Right after they had set sail again, Odysseus and his crew ended up on another island and were almost eaten by the Laistrygonians. Another obstacle, Odysseus and his crew faced was the year that the crew was turned into pigs. In the span of a year, Odysseus figured out how to change the pigs back into the men. They could continue on the journey now (Homer 178-363). Odysseus continued to press through each obstacle he faced so he could make it back to his home.
Ten years after the end of the Trojan war, Odysseus returned to his home in Ithaca. He faced many trials while on his homecoming journey, but they did not end there. Odysseus had to remain disguised for a while after his arrival to scope out what was taking place in his house. There are suitors in his house that have taken control over it. He has to figure out who he can and cannot trust in his homeland. So many things have changed in the ten years he has been gone. Even though things have changed, including Odysseus, Penelope recognized him even while disguised. Penelope proposes that she will marry anyone who can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot the arrow through a dozen ox heads. This is a feat that she knows Odysseus can only accomplish (Homer 322-466). According to Melissa Mueller with the Texas University Press, the touch and the familiarity with the bow brings Odysseus right back to how things used to be before he had to leave for the Trojan war (Recognition and the Forgotten Senses). He completes the task without any issue and then shoots the opposing suitors. The last obstacle he faced was proposed by his wife. She brings out their bed and she knows if it really is Odysseus then he will know the bed could not be moved. Odysseus passes the test and is happily reunited with his wife and family after 10 long years (Homer 322-466).
Even though this epic was written in the eighth century B.C.E., there are many ways to apply it to daily life. You can see that it was the best for Homer when others that he encountered were hospitable to him and his crew and when he was hospitable to others. Through all of the trials and new opportunities, Odysseus remained loyal and faithful to his wife, family, and home. He loved his family and realized that nothing could be as good as what he already had. Odysseus did not give up on his journey even when he was almost killed many times. He took the journey one day at the time and through much agony, he made it home. He was very elated when he got what he was working towards. If each person would take the same view as Odysseus did then he/she could achieve and complete whatever he/she wanted.
Overall, Homer’s
_Odyssey_ was an account that marked literature for years to come. Through this story, Homer showed the accounts of a man’s journey home after the Trojan war. Homer showcased the many trials that Homer faced both on the journey and when he returned home to Ithaca. Odysseus never gave up. This story shows one of perseverance, love for family, and how to treat people. Many things can be learned from the
_Odyssey._
Works Cited
MUELLER, MELISSA. "Recognition and the Forgotten Senses in the Odyssey."
_Helios_, vol. 43,
no. 1, Spring2016, pp. 1-20. EBSCO
_host_, libproxy.wmcarey.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tr
e&db=lfh&AN=117003741&site=eds-live.
Puchner, Martin, ed.
_The Norton Anthology of World Literature_. Shorter Third ed. Vol. 1. New
York: W.W. Norton, 2013. Print.
**## literary_assignment.docx**
[22:22, 11/15/2025] Leo:
To develop effective topics for a literary essay, start by identifying works of literature that intrigue you, then explore recurring themes, literary devices, or character analyses within those works. Consider the author's background, historical context, and how these elements might influence the text. Narrowing down broad topics and focusing on specific aspects will lead to more focused and insightful analysis.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Choose a literary work that interests you:
Personal connection:
Select a book, play, poem, or short story that you enjoyed or found thought-provoking.
Unanswered questions:
Identify aspects of the work that you found confusing, intriguing, or challenging to understand.
Exploration of themes:
Consider works that explore universal themes like love, loss, identity, or social issues.
2. Identify potential topics:
Recurring themes:
Analyze how themes like betrayal, redemption, or the corrupting influence of power are presented.
Character analysis:
Examine the development of characters, their motivations, and their relationships with others.
Literary devices:
Explore the author's use of symbolism, imagery, metaphor, or foreshadowing and how they contribute to the overall meaning.
Historical and social context:
Investigate the historical period in which the work was written and how it reflects or challenges the social norms of the time.
Comparative analysis:
Compare and contrast different works by the same author or by different authors on similar themes or using similar techniques.
3. Narrow down your topic:
Be specific: Avoid overly broad topics like "love in Shakespeare." Instead, focus on a specific aspect of love in a particular play, like the role of love in Romeo and Juliet's tragic fate.
Consider your interests: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you, as this will make the research and writing process more engaging.
Ensure sufficient evidence: Make sure there's enough textual evidence to support your analysis.
4. Develop a thesis statement:
Clear argument:
A strong thesis statement should clearly state your argument about the literary work.
Specific and focused:
The thesis should be narrow enough to be supported by evidence but broad enough to allow for insightful analysis.
5. Gather evidence and write the essay:
Support your claims: Use specific examples from the text to support your arguments.
Cite your sources: Properly cite all sources to avoid plagiarism.
Revise and edit: Make sure your essay is well-organized, clear, and free of errors.
By following these steps, you can develop compelling and insightful literary essay topics that will lead to a strong and engaging analysis of your chosen work.
[22:22, 11/15/2025] Leo:
World Literature Writing Assignment
This essay assignment of approximately four pages (typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman Font, MLA style) requires you to meditate on some limited aspects of the works we have covered. Specifically, students will generate a topic of interest, investigate it, and formulate a thesis and cogent argument based upon their understanding of the topic. For example, The Odyssey comments on notions of hospitality, heroism, and home. You might elect to explore one of these topics further by conducting some research* into Homer’s epic. This research, coupled with your own creative viewpoint could make for an interesting argumentative/expository essay.
In Oedipus Rex, we discussed ideas regarding fate, destiny, identity, and the capriciousness of the gods. These broad topics provide excellent starting points for an essay. The next step is to propose a working thesis based upon some facet of that topic. A thesis will seek to account for how a particular textual aspect seems to work. For example, in Oedipus, prophecy and divine revelations are fairly important topics. But, what does the play seem to convey by deploying these elements in the particular manner that it does? A working thesis might be that we are all subject to the whims of the gods; hence, we must all live with a certain degree of fear and trembling. You may support this view with textual quotations and/or legitimate scholarly sources.
Rubric:
Focus: A clear, persuasive assertion about some aspect of the text supported by textual examples throughout the body.
Development: Specific textual quotes and analysis in multiple paragraphs.
Grammar and MLA Style: Final drafts will be well proofread and free of grammatical errors. MLA format should be strictly followed, including parenthetical quotes and works cited page.
Organization: The essay must have a clear pattern announced in the introduction and signposted throughout with transitions.
*Scholarly articles may be accessed via the university’s database.
**See UNC Writing Center or Purdue OWL for MLA help.
**## WLI_Sample_Essay1.docx**
[Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
Student
Professor Justin Williamson
World Literature I
Date
_The Odyssey_
The
_Odyssey_ was written by Homer during the eight century B.C.E. Homer was a well-known author during this time. He wrote both the
_Iliad_ and the
_Odyssey_ during this time. Both stories are based on the events of the Trojan war that was between the people of Troy and the Greeks. The
_Odyssey_ shows the journey of Odysseus’ trek back to his home after the war was over. The journey shows many obstacles during his journey of his homecoming. The events of the story also tell of the hospitality of the people Odysseus comes into contact with and the loyalty that Odysseus shows to returning to his home. (Norton 124-129).
There are many cases of hospitality in the
_Odyssey._ Hospitality is treating someone kind that you come into contact with. During this time, the Greeks were infatuated with xenia. This meant they took care of guests- whether passing through or staying a while. In this text, Odysseus comes into contact with many people that treated him hospitably. One notable account of hospitality toward Odysseus was that of Calypso. When Odysseus reached the isle that Calypso lived on, she invited him into her home. Over the span of the eight years that Odysseus resided with Calypso, she began to become too hospitable. She allowed him to sleep in her own bed. She provided him with everything he needed and desired. She did not want Odysseus to continue his journey to his home. He was trapped with Calypso. Athena does a most hospitable work to help Odysseus. Athena presents a request to her father, Zeus, to loosen Calypso’s hold on Odysseus to allow him to escape and continue his journey home. (Homer 178-237). Odysseus was fortunate to have encountered such good hospitable people on his long expedition home after the Trojan war.
While there were many good accounts of hospitality, there were many cases that were the inverse. While in the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus is treated with hospitality by all except Polyphemus, a one-eyed Cyclops. Polyphemus tries to eat the people with Odysseus. Odysseus and his men escape the monster. Odysseus’ men also did not show hospitality to everyone they came into contact with. Odysseus’ men had been told not to come in contact with the cattle of the Sun. They disobeyed this order and killed the cattle which was the most unhospitable thing they could do while passing through the land. (Homer 178-255). Through completing these acts, Odysseus encountered hardships from the monster and brought hardships upon himself.
Throughout this story of the
_Odyssey,_ Odysseus presents many examples of loyalty. This loyalty extends to his homeland, his home, and his family. While on the isle with Calypso, Odysseus could have stayed in her house. He would have had anything that he desired or needed. He could have started a new beginning and family with Calypso, a woman much prettier than his own wife, Penelope. Odysseus does not desire this. He longs to return to his own home and his own wife and family. While on the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus sees how wonderful the land is. The land will grow crops and is beautiful. The land is green and full of life. On the other hand, Odysseus homeland will not grow crops well due to it having so many stones. Odysseus could have also made a new life and home with the Phaeacians, but chooses to continue his journey to Ithaca, his home. Had Odysseus fell trap to each of these things, he would have never returned home. Odysseus was very loyal to his family, his home, and his homeland. (Norton 127-128). Leaving each of these new opportunities to return to something that he has not experienced in ten years and the chance of it not even being there any more, shows a great deal of dedication and love he has for his family.
Odysseus encountered many obstacles on his homecoming journey after the Trojan war. He had to travel across the sea from Troy to Ithaca to even reach his home. Through this voyage, he run into many setbacks. Odysseus was taken captive by Calypso for eight years before Athena helped him escape (Norton 127). When Odysseus reaches the Phaeacians, the horrible one-eyed Cyclops named, Polyphemus tries to serve Odysseus and his men as food. Odysseus has to defeat Polyphemus and continue on his journey to Ithaca. Right after they had set sail again, Odysseus and his crew ended up on another island and were almost eaten by the Laistrygonians. Another obstacle, Odysseus and his crew faced was the year that the crew was turned into pigs. In the span of a year, Odysseus figured out how to change the pigs back into the men. They could continue on the journey now (Homer 178-363). Odysseus continued to press through each obstacle he faced so he could make it back to his home.
Ten years after the end of the Trojan war, Odysseus returned to his home in Ithaca. He faced many trials while on his homecoming journey, but they did not end there. Odysseus had to remain disguised for a while after his arrival to scope out what was taking place in his house. There are suitors in his house that have taken control over it. He has to figure out who he can and cannot trust in his homeland. So many things have changed in the ten years he has been gone. Even though things have changed, including Odysseus, Penelope recognized him even while disguised. Penelope proposes that she will marry anyone who can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot the arrow through a dozen ox heads. This is a feat that she knows Odysseus can only accomplish (Homer 322-466). According to Melissa Mueller with the Texas University Press, the touch and the familiarity with the bow brings Odysseus right back to how things used to be before he had to leave for the Trojan war (Recognition and the Forgotten Senses). He completes the task without any issue and then shoots the opposing suitors. The last obstacle he faced was proposed by his wife. She brings out their bed and she knows if it really is Odysseus then he will know the bed could not be moved. Odysseus passes the test and is happily reunited with his wife and family after 10 long years (Homer 322-466).
Even though this epic was written in the eighth century B.C.E., there are many ways to apply it to daily life. You can see that it was the best for Homer when others that he encountered were hospitable to him and his crew and when he was hospitable to others. Through all of the trials and new opportunities, Odysseus remained loyal and faithful to his wife, family, and home. He loved his family and realized that nothing could be as good as what he already had. Odysseus did not give up on his journey even when he was almost killed many times. He took the journey one day at the time and through much agony, he made it home. He was very elated when he got what he was working towards. If each person would take the same view as Odysseus did then he/she could achieve and complete whatever he/she wanted.
Overall, Homer’s
_Odyssey_ was an account that marked literature for years to come. Through this story, Homer showed the accounts of a man’s journey home after the Trojan war. Homer showcased the many trials that Homer faced both on the journey and when he returned home to Ithaca. Odysseus never gave up. This story shows one of perseverance, love for family, and how to treat people. Many things can be learned from the
_Odyssey._
Works Cited
MUELLER, MELISSA. "Recognition and the Forgotten Senses in the Odyssey."
_Helios_, vol. 43,
no. 1, Spring2016, pp. 1-20. EBSCO
_host_, libproxy.wmcarey.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tr
e&db=lfh&AN=117003741&site=eds-live.
Puchner, Martin, ed.
_The Norton Anthology of World Literature_. Shorter Third ed. Vol. 1. New
York: W.W. Norton, 2013. Print.
**## literary_assignment.docx**
[22:22, 11/15/2025] Leo:
To develop effective topics for a literary essay, start by identifying works of literature that intrigue you, then explore recurring themes, literary devices, or character analyses within those works. Consider the author's background, historical context, and how these elements might influence the text. Narrowing down broad topics and focusing on specific aspects will lead to more focused and insightful analysis.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
1. Choose a literary work that interests you:
Personal connection:
Select a book, play, poem, or short story that you enjoyed or found thought-provoking.
Unanswered questions:
Identify aspects of the work that you found confusing, intriguing, or challenging to understand.
Exploration of themes:
Consider works that explore universal themes like love, loss, identity, or social issues.
2. Identify potential topics:
Recurring themes:
Analyze how themes like betrayal, redemption, or the corrupting influence of power are presented.
Character analysis:
Examine the development of characters, their motivations, and their relationships with others.
Literary devices:
Explore the author's use of symbolism, imagery, metaphor, or foreshadowing and how they contribute to the overall meaning.
Historical and social context:
Investigate the historical period in which the work was written and how it reflects or challenges the social norms of the time.
Comparative analysis:
Compare and contrast different works by the same author or by different authors on similar themes or using similar techniques.
3. Narrow down your topic:
Be specific: Avoid overly broad topics like "love in Shakespeare." Instead, focus on a specific aspect of love in a particular play, like the role of love in Romeo and Juliet's tragic fate.
Consider your interests: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you, as this will make the research and writing process more engaging.
Ensure sufficient evidence: Make sure there's enough textual evidence to support your analysis.
4. Develop a thesis statement:
Clear argument:
A strong thesis statement should clearly state your argument about the literary work.
Specific and focused:
The thesis should be narrow enough to be supported by evidence but broad enough to allow for insightful analysis.
5. Gather evidence and write the essay:
Support your claims: Use specific examples from the text to support your arguments.
Cite your sources: Properly cite all sources to avoid plagiarism.
Revise and edit: Make sure your essay is well-organized, clear, and free of errors.
By following these steps, you can develop compelling and insightful literary essay topics that will lead to a strong and engaging analysis of your chosen work.
[22:22, 11/15/2025] Leo:
World Literature Writing Assignment
This essay assignment of approximately four pages (typed, double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman Font, MLA style) requires you to meditate on some limited aspects of the works we have covered. Specifically, students will generate a topic of interest, investigate it, and formulate a thesis and cogent argument based upon their understanding of the topic. For example, The Odyssey comments on notions of hospitality, heroism, and home. You might elect to explore one of these topics further by conducting some research* into Homer’s epic. This research, coupled with your own creative viewpoint could make for an interesting argumentative/expository essay.
In Oedipus Rex, we discussed ideas regarding fate, destiny, identity, and the capriciousness of the gods. These broad topics provide excellent starting points for an essay. The next step is to propose a working thesis based upon some facet of that topic. A thesis will seek to account for how a particular textual aspect seems to work. For example, in Oedipus, prophecy and divine revelations are fairly important topics. But, what does the play seem to convey by deploying these elements in the particular manner that it does? A working thesis might be that we are all subject to the whims of the gods; hence, we must all live with a certain degree of fear and trembling. You may support this view with textual quotations and/or legitimate scholarly sources.
Rubric:
Focus: A clear, persuasive assertion about some aspect of the text supported by textual examples throughout the body.
Development: Specific textual quotes and analysis in multiple paragraphs.
Grammar and MLA Style: Final drafts will be well proofread and free of grammatical errors. MLA format should be strictly followed, including parenthetical quotes and works cited page.
Organization: The essay must have a clear pattern announced in the introduction and signposted throughout with transitions.
*Scholarly articles may be accessed via the university’s database.
**See UNC Writing Center or Purdue OWL for MLA help.
**## WLI_Sample_Essay1.docx**
[Type text] [Type text] [Type text]
Student
Professor Justin Williamson
World Literature I
Date
_The Odyssey_
The
_Odyssey_ was written by Homer during the eight century B.C.E. Homer was a well-known author during this time. He wrote both the
_Iliad_ and the
_Odyssey_ during this time. Both stories are based on the events of the Trojan war that was between the people of Troy and the Greeks. The
_Odyssey_ shows the journey of Odysseus’ trek back to his home after the war was over. The journey shows many obstacles during his journey of his homecoming. The events of the story also tell of the hospitality of the people Odysseus comes into contact with and the loyalty that Odysseus shows to returning to his home. (Norton 124-129).
There are many cases of hospitality in the
_Odyssey._ Hospitality is treating someone kind that you come into contact with. During this time, the Greeks were infatuated with xenia. This meant they took care of guests- whether passing through or staying a while. In this text, Odysseus comes into contact with many people that treated him hospitably. One notable account of hospitality toward Odysseus was that of Calypso. When Odysseus reached the isle that Calypso lived on, she invited him into her home. Over the span of the eight years that Odysseus resided with Calypso, she began to become too hospitable. She allowed him to sleep in her own bed. She provided him with everything he needed and desired. She did not want Odysseus to continue his journey to his home. He was trapped with Calypso. Athena does a most hospitable work to help Odysseus. Athena presents a request to her father, Zeus, to loosen Calypso’s hold on Odysseus to allow him to escape and continue his journey home. (Homer 178-237). Odysseus was fortunate to have encountered such good hospitable people on his long expedition home after the Trojan war.
While there were many good accounts of hospitality, there were many cases that were the inverse. While in the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus is treated with hospitality by all except Polyphemus, a one-eyed Cyclops. Polyphemus tries to eat the people with Odysseus. Odysseus and his men escape the monster. Odysseus’ men also did not show hospitality to everyone they came into contact with. Odysseus’ men had been told not to come in contact with the cattle of the Sun. They disobeyed this order and killed the cattle which was the most unhospitable thing they could do while passing through the land. (Homer 178-255). Through completing these acts, Odysseus encountered hardships from the monster and brought hardships upon himself.
Throughout this story of the
_Odyssey,_ Odysseus presents many examples of loyalty. This loyalty extends to his homeland, his home, and his family. While on the isle with Calypso, Odysseus could have stayed in her house. He would have had anything that he desired or needed. He could have started a new beginning and family with Calypso, a woman much prettier than his own wife, Penelope. Odysseus does not desire this. He longs to return to his own home and his own wife and family. While on the land of the Phaeacians, Odysseus sees how wonderful the land is. The land will grow crops and is beautiful. The land is green and full of life. On the other hand, Odysseus homeland will not grow crops well due to it having so many stones. Odysseus could have also made a new life and home with the Phaeacians, but chooses to continue his journey to Ithaca, his home. Had Odysseus fell trap to each of these things, he would have never returned home. Odysseus was very loyal to his family, his home, and his homeland. (Norton 127-128). Leaving each of these new opportunities to return to something that he has not experienced in ten years and the chance of it not even being there any more, shows a great deal of dedication and love he has for his family.
Odysseus encountered many obstacles on his homecoming journey after the Trojan war. He had to travel across the sea from Troy to Ithaca to even reach his home. Through this voyage, he run into many setbacks. Odysseus was taken captive by Calypso for eight years before Athena helped him escape (Norton 127). When Odysseus reaches the Phaeacians, the horrible one-eyed Cyclops named, Polyphemus tries to serve Odysseus and his men as food. Odysseus has to defeat Polyphemus and continue on his journey to Ithaca. Right after they had set sail again, Odysseus and his crew ended up on another island and were almost eaten by the Laistrygonians. Another obstacle, Odysseus and his crew faced was the year that the crew was turned into pigs. In the span of a year, Odysseus figured out how to change the pigs back into the men. They could continue on the journey now (Homer 178-363). Odysseus continued to press through each obstacle he faced so he could make it back to his home.
Ten years after the end of the Trojan war, Odysseus returned to his home in Ithaca. He faced many trials while on his homecoming journey, but they did not end there. Odysseus had to remain disguised for a while after his arrival to scope out what was taking place in his house. There are suitors in his house that have taken control over it. He has to figure out who he can and cannot trust in his homeland. So many things have changed in the ten years he has been gone. Even though things have changed, including Odysseus, Penelope recognized him even while disguised. Penelope proposes that she will marry anyone who can string Odysseus’ bow and shoot the arrow through a dozen ox heads. This is a feat that she knows Odysseus can only accomplish (Homer 322-466). According to Melissa Mueller with the Texas University Press, the touch and the familiarity with the bow brings Odysseus right back to how things used to be before he had to leave for the Trojan war (Recognition and the Forgotten Senses). He completes the task without any issue and then shoots the opposing suitors. The last obstacle he faced was proposed by his wife. She brings out their bed and she knows if it really is Odysseus then he will know the bed could not be moved. Odysseus passes the test and is happily reunited with his wife and family after 10 long years (Homer 322-466).
Even though this epic was written in the eighth century B.C.E., there are many ways to apply it to daily life. You can see that it was the best for Homer when others that he encountered were hospitable to him and his crew and when he was hospitable to others. Through all of the trials and new opportunities, Odysseus remained loyal and faithful to his wife, family, and home. He loved his family and realized that nothing could be as good as what he already had. Odysseus did not give up on his journey even when he was almost killed many times. He took the journey one day at the time and through much agony, he made it home. He was very elated when he got what he was working towards. If each person would take the same view as Odysseus did then he/she could achieve and complete whatever he/she wanted.
Overall, Homer’s
_Odyssey_ was an account that marked literature for years to come. Through this story, Homer showed the accounts of a man’s journey home after the Trojan war. Homer showcased the many trials that Homer faced both on the journey and when he returned home to Ithaca. Odysseus never gave up. This story shows one of perseverance, love for family, and how to treat people. Many things can be learned from the
_Odyssey._
Works Cited
MUELLER, MELISSA. "Recognition and the Forgotten Senses in the Odyssey."
_Helios_, vol. 43,
no. 1, Spring2016, pp. 1-20. EBSCO
_host_, libproxy.wmcarey.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tr
e&db=lfh&AN=117003741&site=eds-live.
Puchner, Martin, ed.
_The Norton Anthology of World Literature_. Shorter Third ed. Vol. 1. New
York: W.W. Norton, 2013. Print.
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