I have to write an essay, but I just need help with coming up with some ideas.

Question

In the essay, I have to compare/contrast the plays "Ajax" OR "Electra" (both are by Sophocles) with the "Iliad" (by Homer). I CANNOT mention similarities/differences in plot between the two, but rather why each author wrote the play (what message were both trying to relay?).

Thanks again. Help would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

I'd search here for articles about Iliad and about whichever play you choose by Sophocles:
http://www.ipl.org/div/litcrit/

Also, read widely among these search results:

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=sophocles+electra&btnG=&as_sdt=1%2C44&as_sdtp=
(You can change this search to include Ajax instead of Electra if you wish.)

http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=homer+iliad&btnG=&hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C44

I'm not saying to read everything, but I am saying you need to read widely enough to gather some useful ideas.

Let us know what you come up with.