Oedipus and Hamlet’s Free Will

Paper details:

6-9 page (6 is fine, not including works cited) on how Hamlet and Oedipus are driven by free will rather than fate. 2-3 secondary sources included. paragraphs centered around the proofs in the second part of my thesis.

MY THESIS: The demises of Hamlet and Oedipus are ultimately driven by free will. This can be seen through the characters’ fundamental choices, deliberate disregard of opposition, conscious fatal actions, and the consequences of their decisions. 

LITERARY TERM PAPER GUIDELINES and FAQ

ASSIGNMENT:  To craft a college-style term paper between 6-9 pages (not including Works Cited) that analyzes and synthesizes (integrates) research from a variety of sources to support your original thesis.  You must utilize at least 2 pieces of course literature AND a minimum of 2 credible, reliable secondary sources.  Your proofs provide support for your thesis, and your literary selections provide examples and evidence in support of your proofs.

HOW DOES A LITERARY PAPER DIFFER FROM A RESEARCH PAPER?

• Both papers argue an original thesis, but a literary term paper uses literature to establish the argument. Literature is the core of the paper and therefore drives the focus. Literary articles and credible, secondary sources provide support.

HOW DO I FIND SECONDARY SOURCES?

• Search the Internet to locate reliable and credible literary criticism such as those contained in journals and scholarly books – try EBSCO or SIRS – instructions on how to access these databases are on our class web page and the handout
• JSTOR trial membership – http://www.jstor.org
• sometimes a simple Google search will yield results; explore T.E.D.; explore the Folger library website (if you are using Hamlet)

 

IN WHAT FORM DO I WRITE MY PAPER?

• Use MLA8 format throughout the paper mla.org
• Include a formal heading at the top of the first page
• Title your research paper
• Include a properly formatted Works Cited page listing ALL sources used or consulted in the preparation of your paper
• The entire paper should be in Times New Roman font, size 12, double spaced, printed on one side of paper etc.
• Visit the Writing Center or access the Purdue Online Writing Lab for assistance in writing your paper https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/618/01/

 

WHEN IS IT DUE?

• Your printed research paper is due on or before January 6 2019 (this is date is somewhat flexible). The paper replaces the mid-term exam. You must also submit to turnitin.com.  You will receive an incomplete until you submit to Turnitin.com, and 10 points will be deducted for skipping this step.

 

LIST OF ELIGIBLE COURSE LITERATURE

• Educated by Tara Westover
• “Pericles’ Funeral Oration” by Thucydides
• “Apology: On the Death of Socrates” by Plato
• Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
• Hamlet by William Shakespeare