One page essay

ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS AND SAMPLE

1. Required Topic

· You should focus on the characteristics of Romanticism discussed in the Romanticism lecture.

· Choose 3 of the characteristics of Romanticism as the basis of your essay (each characteristic will be a main point).

· Be sure to explain each of the characteristics briefly, and use some of the poetry we studied as illustrations (examples of the characteristics).

2. Required Organization and Development

· Your essay should contain 5 paragraphs:

· Introduction

· Body Paragraph 1

· Body Paragraph 2

· Body Paragraph 3

· Conclusion

· Your essay should be developed according to this recipe:

· Paragraph #1

· Introduce your topic with no more than 2 sentences.

· Specify in sentence 2 the three main ideas which you will address in your essay (see following samples).

· Paragraph #2

· Begin this paragraph with a topic sentence about the first main idea.

· Develop this topic sentence with 3 to 5 sentences of support.

· Paragraph #3

· Begin this paragraph with a topic sentence about the second main idea.

· Develop this topic sentence with 3 to 5 sentences of support.

· Paragraph #4

· Begin this paragraph with a topic sentence about the third main idea.

· Develop this topic sentence with 3 to 5 sentences of support.

· Paragraph #5

· Limit paragraph five to no more than two sentences.

· Close/summarize your paper.

· Do not mention any new information.

· Your essay length:

· Include no more than a total of 300-500 words.

· Place the word count after paragraph 5 as shown in the sample.

· Additional guidelines:

· Use present tense only.

· Use third person only.

· Do not use contractions.

3. Required Format

· Microsoft Word only

· Double-space every section.

· Use 12 pt. Times New Roman.

4. Required Identification Heading to be typed in the upper left area of page 1

· Your name/ ID #

· your course code # (5 digit login)

· Date

5. Required Title

· Center a brief title which capsules the subject of the paper.

SAMPLE 1

Kristen Barnes/XXXXXX

ENG 271 (will be 272)/00730 (will be your course code)

1/27/14

A Depiction of Ancient Deities

In epic poetry, there are several characteristics used to develop the full aspect of the material represented. Of all the characteristics, stock epithets are utilized to describe and support the visualization of divinities, including the following three: Zeus, Athena, and Hera.

Several stock epithets are associated with the god Zeus. He is most commonly depicted as “Zeus of the counsels,” “Zeus of the wide brows,” and “lord of lighting.” This is because he is both the king of the gods and sky, exuding all power and strength over them. He presides over the universe, deciding the destinies of mortals, while sometimes allowing them to deal their own fate. In The Iliad, Achilles doesn’t want Zeus to help the Trojans, so he tries to convince Thetis to remind him of a time when he was “cloud-black” and scared of all the gods who were trying to put him in chains. However, he remains steadfast in all his supremacy.

The stock epithet “grey-eyed one” is particularly associated with the goddess Athena. During a contest, Paris is to choose the fairest woman, so he chooses Aphrodite, in order to get the beautiful and married, Helen. This event sparks the war between Troy and the Greeks in The Iliad; meanwhile, Athena’s jealousy and pride make her hate the Trojans and aid the Greeks. She is depicted as the “grey-eyed one” not only because of her physical appearance but also as she disguises herself as Deiphobus, helps Achilles, plays an essential part in Hector’s callous death, and ultimately devastates Troy and its future.

There are several stock-epithets used to illustrate the goddess Hera. She is considered the “golden-throned” and “ivory-armed” goddess, because she is queen of the gods. In The Iliad, she is not chosen as the fairest; therefore, her rage and jealousy make her fervently hate the Trojans. Considered the “ox-eyed lady,” she is powerful and manipulative. She goes behind Zeus’ back, working with Athena, to obliterate the Trojans.

Among all the characteristics of epic poetry, stock epithets are probably the most useful in understanding and visualizing characters. As stock epithets serve to describe many subjects, Zeus, Athena, and Hera are among the most frequently depicted ancient deities.

Word Count: 379

SAMPLE 2

Pepi Humphrey/XXXXXX

ENG 271/00730

January 27, 2014

Athena: Epic Poetry Personified

The characteristics of epic poetry are seen throughout Homer’s works. He uses Athena, the goddess of wisdom and patron of human ingenuity and resourcefulness, to incorporate the use of stock epithets, similes, and the supernatural in The Iliad and The Odyssey.

Descriptive phrases or stock epithets are used by Homer to portray Athena. Athena’s eyes are often described as “blazing eyes” or “glinting eyes.” Homer refers to her as the “grey-eyed goddess” when she speaks with Achilles as he chases Hector around the walls of Troy. “Athena, Driver of Armies” is his description of her as she takes the form of Mentor and “brandished her man-destroying shield of thunder” during the slaughter in the palace hall. These phrases are used to help the reader better visualize the character.

Homer uses similes in reference to Athena’s appearance as well as her actions in The Odyssey. In The Iliad as well, Homer references her eyes when he makes the comparison, “Athena, her eyes as grey as winter moons.” Similes are also used in The Odyssey in response to her appearance from the rafters. For example, the panicked suitors of Penelope run directly to their doom… “wild, like herds stampeding, driven mad as the darting gadfly strikes in the late spring when long days come around.” He continues to compare the attackers, striking like eagles “crook-clawed, hooked beaked, swooping down from a mountain ridge to harry smaller birds that skim across the flatbed, cringing under clouds but the eagles plunge in fury, rip their lives out…” These descriptive comparisons to animals and nature, like the stock epithets, assist the reader in visualizing the story.

Homer’s use of the supernatural is evident as the goddess Athena interacts with mortals on several occasions. One such occasion is when Athena takes the form of Deiphobus, Hector’s brother, to trick Hector into facing Achilles in The Iliad. Another occasion occurs in The Odyssey when Athena takes the form of Mentor and guides Odysseus into facing the suitors. She then causes the suitors’ spears to miss their marks, opening the way for Odysseus and his son along with their few comrades to eliminate the suitors one by one. Athena then aids in returning Odysseus to his former glory by making him appear taller, more muscular, and “glistening like a god” before his reunion with Penelope.

The use of stock epithets, similes, and the supernatural are three characteristics of epic poetry. In reading The Iliad and The Odyssey, one realizes that Homer effectively uses Athena to exemplify each of these characteristics of epic poetry.

Word Count: 402