Writing on World Literature

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”