5-Page Essay
Goals of this assignment:
– To bring together several perspectives and viewpoints, drawn from at least three different texts, in a coherent discussion of ancient Greek views concerning love/devotion OR beauty/virtue.
– To highlight continuities (similarities) and changes (or dissimilarities) among the different perspectives in our readings, relating them, where relevant, to changes occurring in Greek culture over time.
– To use UMBrella (and/or relevant databases on Healey Library website) to find one scholarly article or book relevant to your topic and include at least one paragraph, including one quote, from that article or book in your discussion.
– To use well-chosen, brief quotes, and your own words, to clearly convey and illustrate (i.e. provide an example of) the perspective of each of the works (and/or speakers) you discuss.
A. “Redefining kalokagathia”
To the ancient Greeks the adjective kalos meant both “good” and “beautiful” and the adjective agathos meant both “good” and “of high social status.” These three elements: physical beauty, moral goodness, and high social standing were closely linked, or even inseparable, in the concept of kalokagathia.
In what ways does Socrates’ perspective on beauty and virtue as presented in Plato’s Symposium, resemble and differ from perspectives on the relationship of beauty and virtue presented in (choose two of a, b, or c))
a. Homer’s Iliad and/or
b. Euripides’ Bacchae and/or
c. other speakers in the Symposium.
d. Additionally, you must find one scholarly article or book relevant to your topic. Incorporate at least one paragraph of meaningful discussion into any of the above choices. Include one quote from that article or book in your discussion.
This means your essay must include at least one ancient work other than the Symposium and a new secondary source.
Note: You may also, but do not have to, include reference to or discussion of works of Greek art discussed in our readings from Neer or Morris, or historical evaluations like Martin, Stewart, or Henderson.
Avoiding Plagiarism: When using facts or ideas from any source you must present them either in your own words (not a close rewording of your source) with a citation, or in a direct and accurate quote, in quotation marks and a citation. In either case you must indicate your source in a parenthetical reference, including page number for modern sources, or book and line or section reference for ancient sources. Full bibliographical information should be included in your Bibliography/Works Cited.
When do you need to cite Homer, Euripides, or Plato? When you are referring to specific passages.
Essay format:
1) introduction (what is your essay about?)
2) body of evidence (examples and analysis that support the prompt/introduction)
3) conclusion (final analysis of what your essay has shown)
General Reminders:
1. At least five full pages of text, plus bibliography (as page 6 or more), double spaced.
2. Name and date in upper left or right hand corner (no cover page).
3. Your introduction must make clear the aims and scope of the paper; each subsequent paragraph develops a clear idea backed with examples and evidence, a conclusion drawing together and highlighting the results of your inquiry.
4. In-text citation sample format for ancient references: (Homer 3.17-28), (Euripides 238-41), (Plato 186c1-4) or (Plato 185e6-186a2).
If you do not have a style guide, the MLA format can be found at the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
5. Be sure to proofread, spell-check, and read out loud for sentence structure.
6. The purpose of this essay is to analyze the Greek texts in context of the prompt. Do not retell the story but only provide enough background that is relevant to your discussion.