RESPONSE PAPER: Oedipus the King
Instructions: Complete a Close Reading of Sophocles’ Oedipus the King. Next, write a 4-5 page essay in response to the question below. The paper must make clear use of paragraphing and in-text citations, following MLA guidelines. Research material used must be properly documented following MLA style, on the Works Cited page, and must be used only as evidence for main points in your paper. Limit: 2 research sources.
QUESTION: In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, how does Oedipus’ character seem to deteriorate as the play progresses? Who or what is responsible for the tragedy that befalls him?
NOTE:
You must go beyond the traditional 5 paragraph essay.
Draw evidence from each episode in the play; use quotations and add line citations.
Use research as supporting evidence for main points in your paper.
Have a clear introduction with a clear thesis statement, and a conclusion that takes the reader beyond the play.
One of the sources should be: The Norton Anthology: World Literature: Beginnings to 1650. Volumes A-C. Fourth edition. Martin Puchner. Editor. ISBN: 978-0-393-26590-3College Dictionary/Thesaurus
Please post either your reading notes or a picture of five separate pages with your annotations on them. I will mostly be looking for “good notes”, I know that is subjective, but I’m looking for evidence that you engaged actively with this text. Underline, highlight, define, summarize, write down questions, point out major themes, favorite quotes…..etc. It will also be helpful if you put line notes on your documents or in your notes. (Notice – this assignment is worth 100 points….that’s a lot for something we all should be doing anyway.
Formally respond to the following two questions. The responses should be between 200-250 words each.
1. One of the things Oscar Wilde is doing in the play is mocking 19th-century ideas and culture. Choose one aspect of the 19th century that he mocks and/or satirizes, explain how we does it, and then reflect on why he sees it as wrong. Be very precise in your use of the text to defend your point.
2. Oscar Wilde’s use of language in the play points toward a later 20th-century attitude that believes language incapable of meaning anything absolute. Discuss how language in the play is slippery, confusing, inconsistent, or incapable of communicating anything clearly. Use one specific passage to illustrate.
1. Please read One Hundred Years of Solitude PDF pages 1-113, also read Segu pdf pages 1-164, and also read The Family Moskat pdf pages 1-128.
2. Create an 18-slide Powerpoint using the following format:
Cite 9 meaningful passages referencing or spoken by the “central protagonists” … Colonel Aureliano Buendia (Garcia Marquez), Asa Heshel Bannet (Singer), Tiekoro Traore (Conde)…. 3 passages for each character…
The other 9 slides should be one long paragraph each (at least 100 words per slide), interpreting each of the 9 passages. you chose.
“Passages” implies a long paragraph or so from the text; not just a sentence or two. A “passage” can also include dialogue with (an)other character(s).
Make sure at least 2 passages per character come from the “LAST” 40 pages per text that you read
Analyze and interpret each passage, making connections between each of these central protagonists…
How do they each deal with their respective successes/failures/hopes/interactions…. what similarities exist in these principal characters’ world views, and how do they differ?
I have attached the pdfs that you need to read.
In the Iliad, there is a dichotomy between war and peace, suffering and understanding. How can this contrast be related to a current global issue?
Write a response essay where you complete the following tasks:
1. -Introduce the story and author. Provide a short overview of the story so as to provide a background for your response and a clear thesis statement.
2.- Discuss the dichotomy portrayed in the story. Explain in detail why this aspect stood out to you and support those ideas with actual text from the story.
3.- Connect that dichotomy with a current global issue. Ask yourself, how is the contrast between war and peace and/or suffering and understanding reflected in a current global issue?
A clear thesis statement is essential. Your thesis sentence should answer a question based on the prompt or topic. Your support statements must include direct quotes from the text (s). in addition to your own analysis. Any additional sources must be cited and included in the works cited page. A rubric will be provided to reference the areas that will correspond with your grade: content, organization, grammar/style, correct MLA format, including in text citations, and appropriate use of sources. A direct quote for a paper of this length should net exceed for lines of text.
