University of Memphis Hesiod Theogony Question

Shared Myth and Hesiod’s Theogony

Due Friday, April 1 at 5 PM; turn-in to Canvas

Why this assignment? 

The second short essay in this class asks you to make an argument using a primary source—in this case, Hesiod’s Theogony. The essential element of this assignment is that you deploy the mechanics of a typical essay in history, where you cite a primary source and then spend some time explaining your reading of the primary source. By following the standard procedures of a history essay, you will be making a historical argument.

Details of the assignment: 

For this assignment, I would like you to treat Hesiod’s Theogony as a shared myth reflecting ancient Greek culture as it existed in the time of Hesiod, around 750 BCE. You might also think of the Theogony as a form of Greek religion, which Harari situates as the most powerful form of shared myth in Chapter 12 of Sapiens. In short, shared myths create and reinforce social norms and behaviors. While we aren’t studying ancient Greek culture, I would like you to make an argument about Greek social norms and behaviors based on the Theogony. In other words, you should try to read the text NOT for what it says about the actions of gods and goddesses, but rather as a window onto the everyday lives of Greeks. I care less about the fact that Zeus was god of the sky than I do about, say, what the actions of Zeus in the Theogony say about family, fatherhood, power, and politics in the ancient Greek world. Among other themes you might see expressed through the shared myth of Theogony, you might explore: power, gender dynamics, childhood, afterlife, the order of nature or the environment, authority, warfare, nature of humans, nature of reality, sex, time, or divine intervention, among many other themes. 

Because we established in the first essay that scholarly writing is argumentative writing, I want you to develop this essay as an argument. I want you to respond to this statement: “Hesiod’s Theogony is a worthless document because its depiction of the creation of the universe has been rendered obsolete by modern scientific observation and the discipline of physics.” I want you to reply to the argument by arguing that, “While Hesiod’s Theogony might not accurately depict how the universe was created, it does offer a window onto the shared myths that held ancient Greek society together.” 

Your intellectual goal is to then show what kinds of shared myths are embedded in the Theogeny and what they say about ancient Greek society. 

The following template should be used for this essay: 

Paragraph 1: 

“While scientists might argue that Hesiod’s Theogony offers nothing useful for understanding how the universe developed, historians treat that document as a useful example of a shared myth that bound ancient Greek society together. A shared myth might be defined as [insert your definition of shared myth based on readings of Harari]. This essay will explore three aspects of Greek society interpreted through Hesiod’s eighth century BCE creation story.” 

Paragraph 2: 

“The first example comes from line XX of Hesiod’s Theogony, which says: “ [insert actual words from Hesiod’s Theogony here]. (line XX).”” I interpret this line to mean, ___[insert explanation here]____. 

Most quotations should be no longer than one or two lines that reflect the most important element that you want to elaborate upon in your interpretation. Be sure to tell the reader which lines you are quoting in an endnote (in parenthesis at the end of the quote) or a footnote. See your graduate assistants or the HERC for information on making a footnote.

Paragraph 3: 

“The second example comes from line XX of Hesiod’s Theogony, which says: “ [insert actual words from Hesiod’s Theogony here]. (line XX).”” I interpret this line to mean, ___[insert explanation here]____. 

Paragraph 4: 

“The third example comes from line XX of Hesiod’s Theogony, which says: “ [insert actual words from Hesiod’s Theogony here]. (line XX).”” I interpret this line to mean, ___[insert explanation here]____. 

Paragraph 5: 

“As these examples have shown, the Theogony has much to offer historians. While not exactly a true or accurate depiction of the universe, it does reveal how a great deal about the eighth century BCE context in which it was produced.” 

Your five paragraphs should begin with the template provided here. These sentences are meant to guide you on how to engage in a scholarly, fact-driven conversation that uses quotations from a primary source.

Your grade will be determined in the following ways: 

Use of evidence in an argument: 40%

Reasoning based on that evidence: 40%

Proper grammar, punctuation, formatting, font: 20%

These essays should have a line at the top identifying you (your name and class), be written in 12 point font, have 1 inch margins on each side, and be double spaced. Your essay should be around 750 words.

A digital copy of your essay should be turned in to Canvas (under “Essay #2) by April 1 at 5 PM. 

You should consult your Graduate Assistant and the tutors in the HERC for assistance with your essay.