What is the significance of Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh
general article writing
Description
1) What is the significance of Gilgamesh’s quest for immortality in The Epic of Gilgamesh? How do you interpret his failure to achieve immortality?
2) Compare/ contrast the laws in the Code of Hammurabi to those in the Hebrew Pentateuch, esp. the Ten Commandments. What kind of society does each establish? What does each say about “human nature” and the organizational necessities of human societies?
3) What is the relationship between the Hebrews and their God? What is unique about this relationship? Include a discussion of the Hebrews being God’s “chosen people” and what this means, as well as of the nature and significance of the various covenants made between the Hebrews, their ancestors, and their God.
What is the relationship between the Hebrews and their God? What is unique about this relationship? Include a discussion of the Hebrews being God’s “chosen people” and what this means, as well as of the nature and significance of the various covenants made between the Hebrews, their ancestors, and their God.
4) What is “Socratic Irony”, and how do we see Socrates employing it in any of the dialogues we have discussed? Does this seem like a good method for discussing and exploring ideas? What aspects of Greek culture and the relationships between Socrates and his interlocutors help this method work, and what aspects make it fail?
5) Tell a Greek myth, any Greek myth, in your own words. You can make up variations to make it interesting (like the original oral poets would have); be creative, as long as the myth you tell is based on an actual, recorded Greek myth. Make sure you can cite the original source of the myth.
6) Compare the Greek gods as portrayed in The Odyssey to the Hebrew god as portrayed in Exodus and Job. What kinds of powers do each have? What kinds of relationships do each have with humans?
7) In Ion, Socrates says that Ion is not an artist, but rather is merely inspired by a muse. Why does Socrates say this? How does the Greek understanding of techne serve to justify this perspective? How does his point relate to the imagery of a magnet and iron rings. How does Ion respond to these ideas?
