Answer each of the following prompts in at least four complete sentences, including a topic sentence, claim, evidence, such as examples and illustrations, as well as a conclusion sentence in each paragraph.
1. Apply psychoanalytic criticism to interpret how Gilgamesh and Achilles are portrayed. Compare and contrast their motivations from various viewpoints. Are they controlled predominately by reason or the irrational mind? Review the most predominate ethical and logical standpoints of the characters. Freud explains that the neurotic crisis is the struggle between the interest of self-preservation (ego) and the demands of man’s aggressive nature (id). Apply psychoanalytic criticism to analyze the motivations and roles held by both epic heroes.
2. Define Beowulf’s identity as an epic hero with specific examples from the text. Identify two or three ethical motivations behind the predictability of the rationality found through his actions. How do these traits make his role stand out among other epic heroes within a historical context? Define how historical, religious, philosophical, political, or cultural elements in the work influence his predictability as a heroic character. Would his role as the archetype of an epic hero be the same if he was not a predictable character? Why or why not?
3. Compare and contrast the definition of theodicy in The Tale of Sinuhe with the Book of Job. How do both texts give way to the creation of religion through cycles of order and chaos? Compare and contrast monotheism with polytheism and henotheism. What is the most important moral lesson we learn from Sinuhe’s tribulation from the gods and Job’s tribulation from Shaddai that are foreseen early in the books and are found at the end of the books?
4. In The Ramayana of Valmiki, identify and describe the elements of mysticism and metaphysics that help to define and construct Rama’s piety in the epic through a series of events in the plot. How does he represent the ideal man and epic hero? How does he overcome the psychological warfare presenting a great foe against him?
5. Identify the political and philosophical influences on Lysistrata’s strategy in Aristophanes’, Lysistrata. Explain which theories and ideologies align with her views of female intellect, along with equality among the sexes and class systems. How does Aristophanes satirize certain demagogues and political philosophers, while elevating other ideological views?
6. Explain how to read the book of Job and Psalms as both books of wisdom and of poetry. Compare and contrast the moral lesson in the Book of Job with Psalm 23. Identify the central literary devices in Psalm 23 and the Book of Job. Compare and contrast how Soteriology can be used as a lens of interpretation in both texts.
7. Explain how Taoist virtues are upheld through many philosophical standpoints. Identify how pluralism is used to attain truth and wisdom in the work. Explain how The Way leads one to find true peace and happiness according to Zhuangzi.
