Exam 2 will ask you to compare/contrast some interesting theme, event, or character(s) from more than one time and place. You need to select at least one text from those you have studied in Unit 3, and one from either Unit 1 or Unit 2. You may discuss more than two texts, but the discussion MUST be in depth with many supporting examples from the texts you have selected. It is much better to work with two texts in depth than with more than two superficially. Possible topics include:
Possible topics include:
1. Gilgamesh, Odyssey, Agamemnon, Medea, Aeneid and Arabian Nights – woman troubles in two or three of these stories; be sure to include Arabian Nights as one of them
2. Odyssey, Aeneid and Arabian Nights – adventures and marvels in two or three of these stories; be sure to include Arabian Nights as one of them
3. Aeneid and Roland – two visions of empire
4. Lysistrata, Aeneid (Dido) and Arabian Nights – how women relate to heroes, power and empire in two or three of these stories; be sure to include Arabian Nights as one of them.
5. Bhagavad-Gita and Roland: two visions of the relationship between war, heroes and divinity
6. Aeneid and Arabian Nights – two ideas of fate or destiny
7. Odyssey and Arabian Nights – brave, clever Penelope and brave, clever Shahrazad – the right kind of wives
8. Gilgamesh, Agamemnon, Oedipus, Creon compared to Charlemagne and/or Shahrayar – rulers and powers; law and tyranny – be sure to include either Roland or Arabian Nights
9. Rama and Roland – two very different kinds of heroes
10. A pair or group of your choice, so long as at least ONE text is from Unit one or two and ONE from Unit three: You must let me know what you want to use as a question and what your point will be in advance of the essay. Sometimes students create questions that simply do not work for exams. I can be helpful if you contact me in advance (which does not mean the day you intend to take the exam).
Remember–your essay must have a point to it; it should be able to answer a reader’s question: SO WHAT? If you are having trouble thinking about how to plan your exam, you are welcome to email me with questions but do NOT send me a full outline or draft of your exam. I will not read those. I will read and respond to a statement of thesis topic that explains which texts you intend to write about and what your main point will be.
