Author Archives: Michael Miller

How would you describe the genre(s) of the Pillow Book? How are poems and poetry used in the text? What is the place of poetry in Heian court life as depicted in the text? Whose values are authorized in The … Continue reading →

How would you describe the genre of the Book? How does it differ in genre from what we’ve been reading so far? The Book makes use of several rhetorical devices you’d expect from a persuasive argument. How many can you … Continue reading →

What elements of the Epic genre (as you are so far familiar with them) are present in Beowulf? How does this English Epic differ from the Homeric or other epic forms you’ve read? What elements of oral performance survive in … Continue reading →

The Muslim faith prescribes 5 articles of faith, or “pillars” of Islam: 1) daily prayer, 2) charity, 3) fasting, 4) pilgrimage, and 5) profession of faith. Where do you find examples of or injunctions to these acts in the selections … Continue reading →

The Norton editors describe the Gospels as, perhaps “the single most influential text of world literature.” How many images, motifs, characters, sayings, etc. from the readings do you recognize from other texts or from everyday speech? How would you define … Continue reading →

In several places, Patroclus is addressed directly, in the 2nd person, by the speaker of the epic (XVI.615; XVI.721; XVI.826). Why does Homer do this and what effect does this have on the narrative? Compare Achilles’s reaction to the death … Continue reading →

Compare and contrast the Homeric gods, as they are depicted in the Iliad, with the god of the Hebrew Bible and the gods in Gilgamesh. Discuss the nature of conflict as it occurs between men and men, gods and men, … Continue reading →

How does reading the Bible as literature differ from reading it as scripture? Do you focus on different elements? Have different expectations for the characters, conflicts, and action? How would you describe God as a literary character? Does God develop … Continue reading →

Please take a moment to explore our course blog and make sure you can find and access resources you will need for the upcoming semester. Some recently added items are: course syllabus readings for week 1 (for anyone who hasn’t … Continue reading →

For Wednesday 9/2 How does the Prologue characterize Gilgamesh as a king and as a man? In what ways does the harlot Shamhat “civilize” Enkidu (beside the obvious)? What does “civilization” mean here and what are the signs of his civilization? … Continue reading →