- CLAS 2109 The Self and
Society
Paper 1 – Due on Blackboard by 6:30 pm, Thursday 2/29/24
In answer to the prompt
below, compose an argument-based essay 3 pages in length (double-spaced,
12-point Times New Roman font, in either Word or PDF). Your paper should be
well organized, coherent, and concise. Be sure to clearly express the thesis of
the argument in the first paragraph, and devote each of the following
paragraphs to developing a new point/reason in support of the thesis. I suggest
that you first create an outline of your argument for yourself, and, when you
are revising, check that each paragraph develops its own specific point. AVOID
plot summary, off-topic discussion, and anything that does not clearly further
the argument.
Prompt
What is the nature of
Oedipus’ suffering (i.e., what, exactly, does he suffer), and in what
sense, if any, does he deserve his suffering? In answering this question, you
might consider the issue of Oedipus’ agency: (how) do will and knowledge factor
in, (how) is divine knowledge or fate relevant? In your response, you should
explicitly engage specific passages from both Sophocles’ Oedipus the King
and Dodds’ article “On Misunderstanding the Oedipus Rex.”
Developing your Paper
Structure your response
around the specific reasons for your argument. That is, each body paragraph
should consist of a reason or sub-claim that adds to your case. Develop each
body paragraph by engaging key passages from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King and
Dodds’ article “On Misunderstanding the Oedipus Rex.” NO outside
research or other sources are called for – all you need are Sophocles, Dodds,
and your own ideas (remember: you will not find your own ideas on Google or
ChatGPT!). AVOID vague or over-general references, such as ‘Oedipus often seems
like a jerk.’ Instead, point to a specific
passage, and provide a citation. Remember, your evidence needs to SUPPORT
your point. The more specific your evidence, the better. For example, to
establish as one of your points the idea that Oedipus’ people admire his
leadership but regard him ultimately as human, you might cite in support the
Priest’s opening speech:
In
the first scene of the play, the Priest clarifies that the people do not revere
Oedipus as a god but rather as “the first of men” (OT 31-32). This wording emphasizes how Oedipus is ultimately human,
which is important because…
In general, you should
paraphrase (i.e., put in your own words) a short passage wherever possible. You
may, as in the example above, directly quote a short passage, provided
that the exact wording is significant to your point. AVOID lengthy quotations.
Citations of a paraphrased or
quoted passage should be given in parentheses at the end of a sentence, as in
the example above (OT 31-32). Use the following
abbreviations, plus the line number(s), for Sophocles, or the page number(s),
for Dodds:
Abbreviate Sophocles’
Oedipus the King as: OT
Abbreviate
E. R. Dodds’ “On Misunderstanding the Oedipus
Rex” as: Dodds
So, again, “if you have a
short quotation,” or a paraphrase of a passage, be sure to add an abbreviated,
parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence, just as you see in this very
sentence (Dodds 37). You do not need to provide a list of works cited, since
you should only be referring to the readings listed above.