Heracles is in many ways the quintessential Greek hero, yet he is also unique. Respond to this paradox by answering one (1) of the two questions below:
1. Identify a characteristic that Heracles shares with the other Greek heroes we have studied (Perseus, Theseus, Jason). Support your conclusion with specific examples from the hero myths we have studied, and then consider what this common characteristic suggests about the possible role of these hero myths in Greek society.
2. Identify a characteristic of Heracles that he does not share with other Greek heroes we have studied (Perseus, Theseus, Jason). Support your conclusion with specific examples from the hero myths we have studied, and then consider what this unique characteristic suggests about the possible role of the Heracles myth in Greek society.
Keep in mind the following guidelines.
a. You do not need to use any secondary works for this essay. Feel free, however, to use whatever secondary works you consider appropriate. Be sure that all such works are thoroughly cited, and that your essay reflects your own thinking.
b. Proofread carefully. Papers with egregious mistakes in grammar or spelling will receive very low grades. In particular, keep in mind the admonitions spelled out in my guidelines for writing papers.
c. Be sure to hand in your paper on time. Remember that papers will lose one letter grade for each week they are late.
d. Be very conscious of structure: provide a clear introduction and conclusion, and arrange your arguments logically and succinctly. Both your introduction and your conclusion should have a complete summary of your arguments.
e. It is important that you show accurate knowledge of the myth or myths you choose to analyze, but by no means should you include in your paper extensive summaries of the myth or myths. You can take for granted that your reader knows the myths, and you can spend your time analyzing rather than recounting them. You will want, however, to cite specific examples from each of the hero myths to support your conclusions.
3. Please come to see me at any time if I can provide advice or assistance.
Grading:
Accuracy in recounting myths: 10 points
Thoroughness and appropriateness of examples cited (you should cite an example from each hero myth): 20 points
Substance of arguments explaining reasons for characteristic: 20 points
Structure: 20 points
Clarity: 20 points
Style, grammar, and spelling: 10 points