Writing on World Literature

The following are introductions and background to texts I teach regularly in ENGL 2111 and ENGL 2112. Many links within the essays go to Wikipedia.

Epic

First, begin by familiarizing yourself with Epic Poetry, “On the Primary and Secondary Epics,” and “The Heroic Ideal.”

Gilgamesh

• “Introduction to Gilgamesh”
• “Ecological Themes in Gilgamesh”
• “Friendship and Two Epics”
• “The Taming of Nature in Gilgamesh”

Homer

Iliad

• “Homer’s Iliad”
• “Fighting Beyond Fate”
• “Friendship and Two Epics”
• “Hector's Choice”
• “O My Rider”

Odyssey

• “Homer’s Odyssey”
• “Xenia: A Religious Duty”
• “The Telemachiad”
• “Odysseus and the Poet”
• “The Island of the Cyclops”
• “Odysseus and Circe”
• “Poor Elpenor”
• “Journey to the Underworld”
• “The Lessons of Hell”
• “The Return of Odysseus”

Virgil

• “Virgil’s Aeneid”
• “Aeneas and Dido”

Ovid

• “Ovid’s Metamorphoses”
• “Breaking the Girl”

Tragedy

See the Tragedy Overview” and “Some Views on Tragedy.”

Sophocles

• “Character v. Fate in Oedipus Rex.” July 10, 2003.

Euripides

• “Euripides’ Medea”