GREEK GOD/CREATURE RESEARCH PAPER

Your job, for this research paper, is to be the biographer of a creature or god from Greek mythology, looking at both the history/life of your creature and the impact or influence they have had on culture and/or literature over the years.  You are to read multiple sources (at least six) on your chosen creature, and cite the sources in a bibliography. This paper (5-7 pages) must be typed and must include the following components:

1) A thesis statement that briefly expresses the main identifying    characteristics of your creature/god(dess) as well as his/her influence

2) Thorough background information on your creature/god(dess).  Address topics such as – From where did you creature originate? What is your creature’s personality and/or reputation? What is the creature’s family like? Where does your creature live?  What do they do?  What do they look like? What is their relationship with humans? What does their name mean?  Do they have any special powers or gifts? (These questions are just a starting point.  They are not intended to limit you.)

 3) The creature’s influence or impact on Greek society and culture at the time.

4) The creature’s influencer or impact on modern literature, pop culture,culture, etc (from an archetypal perspective).

5) Bibliography and research – the research (articles and notes from books and databases as well as interviews) should be annotated and stapled to a formal bibliography in MLA format (which should have a minimum of six sources).

Due Dates:

1) Creature selection – Mon, 2/13 (at the end of class)

2) Sources with annotation – Fri 2/17

3) Outline – Tues, 2/21

4) Rough draft (typed) – Fri, 2/24

5) Final draft with all components – Wed, 2/29

Point Breakdown:

5-7 Page paper – 100 pts

Bibliography – 30 pts

Annotated research – 25 pts

Proper MLA format – 10 pts

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Total – 165 pts    

Greek Gods/Creatures

Below are some suggestions.  They are meant to guide, not limit, your research.  If you would like to research a character not on this list, that is perfectly fine.

Achilles                                     Pandora

Adonis                                     Persephone

Agamemnon                            Poseidon

Apollo                                      Prometheus

Aphrodite                                Sisyphus

Ares                                         Sphinx

Artemis                                   Tantalus

Atlas                                        Theseus

Cerberus                                 Tiresias

Cyclops                                   Zeus

Daedalus

Demeter

Dionysus

Helios

Hephaestus

Hercules

Hermes

Icarus

Medusa

Minos

Orestes

Orion

Orpheus

Pan