I have to write an essay, but I just need help with coming up with some ideas.
In the essay, I have to compare/contrast the plays "Ajax" OR "Electra" (both are by Sophocles) with the "Iliad" (by Homer). I CANNOT mention similarities/differences in plot between the two, but rather why each author wrote the play (what message were both trying to relay?).
Thanks again. Help would be much appreciated!
I'd search here for articles about Iliad and about whichever play you choose by Sophocles:
http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/
Also, read widely among these search results:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=sophocles+electra&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C44&as_sdtp=
(You can change this search to include Ajax instead of Electra if you wish.)
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=homer+iliad&btnG=&hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C44
I'm not saying to read everything, but I am saying you need to read widely enough to gather some useful ideas.
Let us know what you come up with.
To compare and contrast the plays "Ajax" or "Electra" by Sophocles with the "Iliad" by Homer in terms of the message the authors were trying to relay, you can follow these steps to come up with some ideas:
1. Conduct Research: Begin by conducting research on both Sophocles and Homer to understand their background, literary style, and the social and historical context in which they wrote. This will provide you with a better understanding of their motivations and the themes they explored in their respective works.
2. Read the Plays: Carefully read "Ajax" and/or "Electra" by Sophocles along with the "Iliad" by Homer. Pay close attention to the key messages, themes, and moral lessons presented in each work. Take notes while reading to keep track of important ideas.
3. Common Themes: Explore any common themes that both authors might have addressed in their works. For example, both Sophocles and Homer might have delved into the consequences of excessive pride, the complexities of honor and duty, the fragility of human relationships, or the role of the gods in human affairs.
4. Differences in Commentary: Analyze how the authors differed in their commentary on these shared themes. Did Sophocles and Homer have different perspectives on pride, honor, or human relationships? Did they vary in their portrayal of the gods' influence on human actions and fate? Consider how their distinct writing styles and cultural backgrounds may have shaped their interpretations of these themes.
5. Historical Context: Examine the historical context in which these plays were written. Consider events that may have influenced the authors' perspectives and shaped the messages they wanted to convey. For example, "Ajax" and "Electra" were written during the Athenian Golden Age, while the "Iliad" was composed several centuries earlier during the Archaic period. These different time periods might have influenced the themes and messages explored in each work.
6. Analysis of Characters: Analyze the characters in each play to gain insights into the underlying messages. Look for similarities or differences in the portrayal of important characters, their motivations, and their interactions. Consider how their actions and beliefs relate to broader societal or moral issues.
7. Interpretation: Once you have gathered your research and analyzed the plays, use your findings to interpret the intended messages of both Sophocles and Homer. Consider what they might have wanted their audience to learn or reflect upon after experiencing their works. Look for quotes or specific scenes that support your interpretations.
By following these steps, you should be able to generate ideas and come up with a well-rounded comparison and contrast of the underlying messages in "Ajax" or "Electra" by Sophocles and the "Iliad" by Homer. Remember to always provide evidence from the texts to support your analysis.