Ancient Literature

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Julius Caesar
Number of lessons: 5; compatible text for study guide: all texts are compatible (you may order the text below). Guide prepared by Robert W. Watson.
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SG-Epic of Gilgamesh
Number of lessons: 4; compatible text for study guide: The Epic of Gilgamesh: A Poetic Version by Robert W. Watson (order below). Guide prepared by Robert W. Watson.
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Oedipus Rex
Number of lessons: 4; compatible text for study guide: Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-26877-2 (you may order the text below). Guide prepared by Dori Anne Abbott.
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Julius Caesar
The Tragedy of Julius Caesar
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Note: This guide is included in the course, A Survey of World Literature.

This is Shakespeare's great work relating the end of Julius Caesar's life and the civil war that followed. Caesar was a first-class politician who was not above by-passing the Roman Senate if it suited his political ambitions. However, Caesar pushes the the Senate a bit too much, leaving many to believe that there was no choice but to kill Caesar. One can argue that Caesar represents the beginning of the Roman empire.
Number of lessons: 5; compatible text for study guide: all texts are compatible (you may order the text below). Guide prepared by Robert W. Watson.
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SG-Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh
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Note: This study guide is included in the course, "A Survey of World Literature."

THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH is the earliest example of literature in the world. The character of Gilgamesh is timeless in that he portrays very human emotions and most people in all ages who have suffered a special loss can identify with Gilgamesh. Yet, King Gilgamesh is a man without the knowledge of the true and living God; thus, his frustrations and fears reflect the dilemma faced by all mankind from the beginning of creation: how can one reconcile himself with death, and is there life after death?

The epic is divided into two parts. The first part centers on the friendship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. These men complement each other. Gilgamesh becomes more aware of emotional feelings, while Enkidu becomes somewhat refined. You will notice that before his fall, Enkidu is very happy in his “natural” condition. However, as he becomes corrupted by the ways of civilization, Enkidu becomes unhappy because he now sees the death in things. The epic implies that if man is left in his natural condition and is allowed to live as simply as possible, then all will be in harmony with nature. So, the teachings of the modern environmental movement, or neo-Romanticism, are not so new after all.

The second part details Gilgamesh’s quest to find eternal life. Gilgamesh abandons reason and becomes an emotional wreck. While everyone tells him that the quest for eternal life is hopeless, Gilgamesh feels there is something more to life than just living to die. Yet, Gilgamesh thinks in such a way which all pagans think: eternal life is in a thing or an object that can be touched. Faith in the commandments of God do not play a role in the lives of pagans.

Thus, the tale of Gilgamesh shows the major conflict between worldviews early in recorded history. There are two—and only two—worldviews that one can adopt. These worldviews are either the Biblical worldview or the pagan one, and they are contrary to each other. Regarding origins, it is either divine creation or evolution. Regarding final authority, it is either the Bible or the state. Regarding religion, it is either freedom of conscience or state-imposed religion. Regarding devotion, it is either faith supported by obedience or works supported by mysticism. Indeed, the two positions are as different as day and night, having no commonality of agreement.

There are some very interesting characters in the epic, from the grotesque Humbaba to the wise Utnapishtim, who is clearly Noah found in Genesis. You will notice that several of the characters will try to discourage Gilgamesh’s searching for eternal life. Consider the arguments of the characters carefully. One point will become evident. The pagan gods of Gilgamesh are clearly created in the image of man and therefore represent the worst of mankind’s faults. You should contrast the gods in the epic with the true and living God of the Bible. By reading this tale, you will be entering into strange worlds as Gilgamesh takes you on a journey not soon forgotten.
Number of lessons: 4; compatible text for study guide: The Epic of Gilgamesh: A Poetic Version by Robert W. Watson (order below). Guide prepared by Robert W. Watson.
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Oedipus Rex
Oedipus Rex
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WHO needs soap operas when there are Greek tragedies to read? This story has all the excitement of a modern television drama—power, envy, evil prophecies fulfilled. Read this drama when you have a couple hours of uninterrupted time so you can really understand what is happening. The ending will surprise you.

Œdipus Rex (the King) is the first of a trilogy of plays about Œdipus and his children. The other two plays are Œdipus at Colonus, which continues the sufferings of Œdipus, and Antigone, which is about the daughter of Œdipus, who violates a decree of the king in order to fulfill her religious obligations.

The central rhetorical issue in Œdipus Rex is whether Œdipus and Jocasta are innocent victims of a terrible fate, or whether both son and mother are fully aware of their actions. If the former position is true, then there is no moral or religious lesson that we can learn. If the latter position is correct, then Œdipus is deserving of any punishment and misery that comes his way. As you read this play, gather evident that supports both positions.

While the play does not go into the confrontation between Œdipus and the Sphinx, this event is important for the background of Œdipus’s becoming the king of Thebes. In Greek mythology, the Sphinx was a terrible monster—half woman and half lion. She terrorized Thebes by planting herself at its gates, and asking everyone who passed by the following riddle: “What animal goes on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night?” Anyone who could not answer the riddle was strangled immediately by the monster. The only man in Thebes who answered the riddle correctly was the newcomer Œdipus; so the people of the city made him their king, after learning that their former king, Laius, had been killed by bandits.

Œdipus Rex is one of the best of all of the Greek tragedies. Therefore, sit back and enjoy the story of a man who had everything...or did he? As my grandfather used to say, “Life is a long situation!”
Number of lessons: 4; compatible text for study guide: Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-26877-2 (you may order the text below). Guide prepared by Dori Anne Abbott.
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