war takes on different significance

In our readings about Troy, we have seen how the war takes on different significance and/or character depending on what element of the narrative is explored and/or whose perspective is emphasized. In this assignment, you will look in greater detail at how this “single” myth is able to contain such diverse elements while still retaining a sense of cohesion. 

You should select ONE of the two options below:

1. Brief analysis of connections through common motif(s). (length, 2-3 pages; 12 point font, lines 1.5 spaced)

          This is a more traditional interpretive essay assignment in which you analyze how the use of shared motif(s) creates a link between different Trojan stories. You will analyze THREE different texts; all three texts can be from the readings assigned in this course, OR you can discuss two texts from the course and one additional text be selected from your own repertoire of reading/viewing/listening (ie, outside of this class). Your analysis should consist of a brief description of each instance, followed by an interpretive analysis comparing and contrasting each instance of the motif(s). In the interpretive section, you may wish to ask “how does this particular motif create cohesion across these tales?”, “how is the motif adapted to each story?”, “what similarities/differences are there between this use of the motif and the others I am discussing?” “in what other (non-trojan) myths have I encountered this motif, and how (if at all) does its Trojan format differ?”

          Successful assignments will demonstrate:

                                        1) good ENGAGEMENT WITH SPECIFICS OF EACH TEXT, including appropriate QUOTATIONS to support your claims

                                        2) insight into common features BEYOND THE OBVIOUS

                                        3) insight into how motif(s) create a sense of the larger picture, connection across tales

2. Build your own Trojan narrative

            This is a more creative form of the assignment, in which you create your own mythical narrative to fit within the frame of the “Trojan war”. Like Aeneas, your character should already exist within the mythical tradition, but you need not be confined to events already narrated. You should take at least ONE and no more than THREE motifs from the course readings and create your own mythical text. You may undertake your story in ANY GENRE (story form), ancient or modern, that you like. IN ADDITION to your mythical narrative, you will submit a short explanatory paragraph detailing why you chose the character that you did (including identification of source text) and explaining how and why you adapted them to your new narrative.  

Successful assignments will demonstrate:

                                        1) good ENGAGEMENT WITH SPECIFICS OF ANCIENT SOURE(S) 

                                        2) reflection on how characters can be adapted to suit new aims 

                                        3) creativity in narrative structure/presentation, including awareness of GENRE