Assignment 2 Project Paper: Comparative Essay Due Week 8 ✓ Solved

Assignment 2 Project Papercomparative Essaydue Week 8 And Worth 200

This “Assignment 2” writing assignment is a comparative essay focused on topics encountered in our HUM 111 class. The project will be based on research but will reflect your views and interpretation of the topic. This project is designed to help you stretch your mind and your abilities as an organized, innovative, and critical thinker. If approached properly, it should also be fun! Choose one (1) of the topics from the list of topic choices below.

Read the topic carefully. Write a three to four (3-4) page paper (750-1,000 words) that follows instructions and covers each part of the topic. (The title page and References list do not get included in this word count). Note: Your instructor may require you to submit your topic choice for approval before the end of Week 5. For the topic you choose: Establish a clear thesis about your topic as part of the introductory paragraph (often the thesis is the last thing one determines after doing the basic research and outline; however it will be placed in the first paragraph of your paper). This is a comparative essay.

Comparison approached properly will require some critical thinking on your part. Use a point-by-point approach for the essay. That means, if comparing subject A with subject B, don't do the first half of the essay on subject A and then the second half on subject B--that will seem like two (2) separate essays and comparisons will tend to get lost. Instead, you should be mentioning both subjects in most of your paragraphs as you compare them throughout the essay. Comparisons will identify similarities as well as contrasts.

Do not try to do everything on your two (2) subjects. You should end up narrowing your focus to a few insights and issues about the subjects being compared. And, from those fairly specific points of comparison, you will develop a thesis and glean some lessons. Follow closely the instructions below for your specific topic. Include a concluding paragraph at the end. This paragraph will, in some way, refer back to the thesis established in your first paragraph, since now you have demonstrated and supported it. It may be here that you also include your observations relating your study to the modern workplace or society (see your topic). Try to finish with flair! Use at least three (3) good quality academic sources, with one (1) source being the class text. Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page. Topic Choices – Choose just one (1) of the topics below: Qualities of the Hero: Comparing Gilgamesh and Odysseus . Write an essay comparing these two (2) heroic figures from ancient epics of different cultures, especially focusing your analysis on the sources about their encounters with monsters: Gilgamesh encounters the monster guarding the forest, Humbaba, in Tablets 3-5 of the Epic of Gilgamesh (see ; scroll down to the Tablet links; think of "Tablet" numbers like chapter numbers). Odysseus encounters Polyphemus the Cyclops in Book 9 of The Odyssey (see ; from line 105 to the end). Your paper should: a) Compare Gilgamesh and Odysseus as to their heroic qualities, noting similarities and differences, using specific examples from the epics. b) Summarize what this indicates about differences between ancient Mesopotamian and Greek cultures in their ideals and expectations. c) From this comparison, suggest ways that current cultural ideals and expectations shape modern notions about role models and heroes.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Throughout history, heroism has been a defining feature of diverse cultures, embodying the values, ideals, and societal expectations of their respective civilizations. The epic tales of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia and Odysseus from Greece serve as prime examples of this phenomenon, offering insights into how different cultures conceptualized heroism through their narratives about encounters with monsters. By comparing the heroic qualities of Gilgamesh and Odysseus, examining their cultural contexts, and reflecting on modern implications, we can better understand the evolution of hero archetypes and societal ideals.

Gilgamesh, the legendary king of Uruk, epitomizes strength, bravery, and a quest for eternal fame. His encounter with Humbaba, the monstrous guardian of the Cedar Forest, exemplifies his bravery and leadership qualities. In Tablet 3 of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh and Enkidu set out to confront Humbaba, demonstrating their courage and resolve (George, 2003). Gilgamesh displays not only physical strength but also a sense of duty to protect his people and achieve everlasting fame. His unwavering resolve to face the monster reflects the Mesopotamian valuing of heroism rooted in strength, honor, and the pursuit of legacy.

In contrast, Odysseus embodies cunning, intelligence, and resourcefulness. His encounter with Polyphemus, the Cyclops, in Book 9 of The Odyssey, showcases his wit as he devises an elaborate plan to escape the Cyclops’s cave (Homer, 1996). Odysseus’s cleverness in blinding Polyphemus and devising a ruse to escape highlights the Greek admiration for intelligence and strategic thinking over brute force. Unlike Gilgamesh’s emphasis on physical prowess, Odysseus’s heroism is characterized by mental acuity, adaptability, and the ability to outwit enemies.

The differences between these hero types reflect broader cultural values. Mesopotamian society celebrated heroism through physical strength, warrior prowess, and the pursuit of eternal fame, often associated with divine favor and social order. Greek culture, especially in Homeric Greece, valued intelligence, cunning, and individual ingenuity as essential qualities of a hero, emphasizing the importance of wit and strategy in achieving success and survival (Fagles, 1996). These contrasting ideals reveal underlying cultural differences: Mesopotamian heroism prioritized communal strength and divine approval, while Greek heroism celebrated individual cleverness and resilience.

From this comparison, modern notions of heroes continue to be shaped by cultural ideals. Contemporary media often depict heroes who embody physical bravery, moral integrity, or exceptional intelligence. The Marvel superhero archetype, for example, combines physical strength with strategic thinking and moral virtue, mirroring both Mesopotamian and Greek hero traits. In multicultural societies, the evolving concept of heroism reflects diverse values, blending strength, intelligence, and social responsibility (Nawaz, 2018). The enduring appeal of hero stories demonstrates that societies continue to idealize qualities that serve cultural identities and societal needs.

In conclusion, the comparison of Gilgamesh and Odysseus reveals that different ancient cultures emphasized distinct qualities—strength versus cunning—as central to heroism. These differences encapsulate their respective societal values and expectations, which continue to influence modern perceptions of role models. Understanding these ancient hero archetypes enriches our comprehension of cultural identity and the enduring human fascination with heroic figures. As society evolves, so too does the conception of heroism, integrating diverse qualities that reflect contemporary ideals and aspirations.

References

• Fagles, R. (1996). The Odyssey. Penguin Classics.
• George, A. (2003). The Epic of Gilgamesh: A New Translation. Yale University Press.
• Homer. (1996). The Odyssey (Richmond Lattimore, Trans.). University of Chicago Press.
• Nawaz, M. (2018). Heroic archetypes in modern media: A cultural perspective. Journal of Cultural Studies, 12(3), 45-62.