Answer one question from 1-2.
1. Provide an interpretation of the scene in The Epic of Gilgamesh where Enkidu parts from the herd of gazelles. What does Enkidu lose, what does he gain? What's the significance of the way in which Enkidu is tamed?
2. Why does Herzog end Aguirre: The Wrath of God with Aquirre lording over a monkey infested raft? How does this comment on his situation, psychology, and motives? What's the general significance of this ending?
Answer one question from 3-4.
3. Evaluate Freud's argument in "Our Attitude Towards Death" (posted on Blackboard; see page 289) that no one can believe, deep down, that they are going to die. Explain the argument clearly and then say why it is good or bad. (This question requires evaluation.)
4. Explain the Tiresias model of immortality. What major problem does Williams think it suffers from? (This question does not ask for evaluation.)
Answer one question from 5-6.
5. Explain Freud's defense of the claim that children are sexual. You need to explain his claim clearly. This requires that you briefly discuss the meaning of "sexual" and describe some putative early sexual forms of behavior. Then you need to explain his argument against the skeptic. (This question does not ask for evaluation.)
6. If all dreams are primitive wish-fulfillment fantasies, as Freud suggests, then why do we have so many bad dreams--nightmares and, more prominently, anxiety dreams? What is Freud's explanation? You will need to explain his theory of dreams, the problem of anxiety dreams, and Freud's attempt to resolve the problem. (This question does not ask for evaluation.)
Due Date
Thursday 10/31
Length
The complete midterm should be no more than 1,200 words. This is approximately 4 pages double-spaced with Arial 12 point font.
Format
The midterm must be typed. It should be double spaced. It should have one inch margins. You should use a 12 point font. I prefer Arial, since it is easy to read. Please follow the general paper and exam instructions under the "course documents / writing" section on Blackboard.
Procedure
You are required to hand in a paper copy at the start of class on the due date. In addition you must submit the midterm through TurnItIn via Blackboard by 11:59 pm on the due date. TurnItIn is a plagiarism detection tool. It will compare your paper against others available online, in journals, submitted in this class, Temple, and from all other universities that use the software.
Note: Plagiarism will result in a failing grade in the class, not just on this assignment.