The Ohio State University
Classics 2220 Classical Mythology The Ohio State University | Autumn 2015
Essay #4
Assignment The Aeneid by Virgil, through the opinions and actions of its characters, has provoked us to wonder about fate and choice: Do they (and we) live in a fated or a chosen world? This essay is your opportunity to think deeply about the claims and choices of a few characters in the Aeneid and to rewrite their story. You will analyze their views on fate or what’s necessary, their subsequent choices, and the outcome. After this you will imagine an alternative choice and outcome. For this essay, choose one of the following four moments in the Aeneid and answer the questions:
• Moments 1. The Trojans’ decision to bring the Trojan horse into Troy: Aeneid 2.1-‐345 2. Aeneas’ decision to leave Dido: Aeneid 4 3. Turnus’ decision to lead the Latins into battle: Aeneid 12.1-‐143 4. Turnus’ decision to fight Aeneas: Aeneid 12.820-‐927
• Questions
1. In the first body paragraph, you must indicate: Who chooses what and why, and what is the outcome?
2. In the second body paragraph, you must imagine that this character or group of characters choose differently and indicate: Who chooses what this time, and what is the new outcome?
The essay must state its thesis in a short introductory paragraph, followed by two body paragraphs (as indicated above) actually making the argument. Essays may only use the Aeneid as evidence. Further details are below. For more tips on writing this type of essay, and a post-‐writing checklist, see the relevant document on Carmen. Assigned: Fri, Nov 6. Due: Fri, Nov 13 by 11am in Carmen’s Dropbox, formatted as a Word doc or pdf.
Rubric Formatting & Length _____ / 1 Is the paper appropriately formatted?
• 12-‐point, Times New Roman font in black • 1.5 spacing • 1 inch margins
_____ / 1 Is the paper the appropriate length? • 1 page • The student’s name and essay title should be on the first line, and the
essay itself should start on the second; no additional space should be taken up with headers, dates, etc.
• Anything over the page limit will not be considered part of the essay. Thesis _____ / 3 Does the thesis
• adequately answer the question posed in the assignment, • provide a sufficient reason for that position, • and provide a mini outline of the points the essay will make to argue the
thesis? Supporting Paragraphs _____ / 2 Argument: do the supporting paragraphs sufficiently argue the thesis? _____ / 2 Evidence: does the essay use sufficient evidence from the texts, and cite it
correctly, to support the argument? Grammar & Other Mechanics of Writing _____ / 1 Does the essay use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and is the
prose clear? TOTAL __________ / 10
