Oedipus/Transcendentalism/Matrix essay

Oedipus the King ,                                        

The Matrix &

Transcendentalism Essay

Ms. Roy

            For this essay, you will be drawing on your knowledge of Oedipus and Transcendentalism.  You will pair this knowledge with the scene we viewed in class from the movie The Matrix.  You may choose to use additional scenes from the movie if you like.

            Two outside sources, in addition to the texts/movie taught in class, must be used.  There must be a minimum of five (5) in-text citations made using the correct MLA format.  Books, articles, or internet resources are appropriate to use as sources.

You may choose one of the following as the focus of your paper (a focus of your choice may be approved by the teacher):

a)  In Hamlet, by Shakespeare, a wise old man (Polonius) advises, “This above all else, to thine own self be true.”  Why might the Latin phrase Temet Nosce, which means “Know Thyself” in English, be found so readily in literature (and movies) throughout the ages?

b)  “Ne te quaesiveris extra,” is the Latin phrase which begins Emerson’s Self Reliance.  The English translation is: Seek nothing outside yourself.  Explore Emerson’s concept of this and how the notion of self reliance is present in both Oedipus the King and The Matrix.

c)  In Walden, Thoreau says, “ Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”  How might this concept be illustrated in The Matrix, Oedipus the King , and other works of Transcendentalism?  What effect would adopting this motto as your own have on your life?

Your essay must be a minimum of five paragraphs, each paragraph should contain at least five sentences in size 12, Time New Roman font.  This essay will be submitted online – therefore, it must ultimately be typed.   You must show evidence of proofreading between drafts – this will also be done online. 

You will turn in a paper copy of a title and title page for the essay.  The title page should contain your title, name, date turned in, and teacher’s name.  The information should be centered top to bottom and left to right on the page and should be in a clear, easy-to-read font in a size no greater than 14.   Your works cited page must be labeled in the top center and must also be turned in on paper.  There is information on my home page on how to do MLA citations correctly.

My rough draft is due:  __________

My partner for proofreading is:____________________

My peer’s proofread essay is due:____________

The final draft of the essay is due: ____________