The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. Homer's classic Greek epic, The Iliad, plunges you into the midst of the battle of Troy as swords flash and ancient angers flare—and CliffsNotes is at your side through the fray to shield you from being unprepared for class discussion. CliffsNotes character analyses and critical essays delve into the depths of well-fueled feuds and fatal choices to explain the context of the heroic exploits of Achilles, Agamemnon, Hektor, and Priam. As Achaians fight Trojans to the bitter end for the hand of fair Helen, turn to CliffsNotes on The Iliad for plot summaries and commentaries that make sense of the themes of strife and reconciliation in this fast-action work of classic literature. Other features that help you figure out this important work include A close look at the author's life, which offers insight into his writing A background of the epic poem, to help you understand the setting List of characters and their descriptions A map that diagrams the relationships among the characters Glossaries to help you fully understand the poem A review section that tests your knowledge, and suggested essay topics Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on The Odyssey, you follow along on Homer's grand adventure. This epic poem unfurls the story of Odysseus' triumph over Troy and arduous journey home to reclaim his kingdom. At 2,500 years old, it is one of the finest books ever written; as poetry, it sets the standard for comparison; and it serves as one of the foundations of the Western world's cultural heritage. This study guide carries you along on Odysseus' journey by providing summaries and critical analyses of each book. You'll also explore the life and background of the epic, Homer, and gain insight into the Homeric Question. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays on the literary devices and major symbols of The Odyssey A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

This CliffsNotes guide includes everything you’ve come to expect from the trusted experts at CliffsNotes, including analysis of the most widely read literary works.

Ordinarily a moralist writer, in this novel Fielding creates a comedy of romance, by superimposing the positive act of the imagination on the raw material of the real world. It is ultimately both instructive and entertaining. Here Fielding parodies his own previous novels in this story of a young man resisting the many attempts to seduce him.

CliffsNotes on Greek Classics is the only reference book you need to understand the ideological and literary influence of the Greek civilization. A fully-indexed guide designed for students of: English Literature World Literature Classical Literature and Languages Philosophy History Theater and Drama Women's Studies Music and Art Religion Use for concise overviews of Greek playwrights, poets, prose writers, historians and philosophers. Find term paper ideas and essay topics. Check facts, dates, spelling and pronunciation. Identify major Greek literary movements. Understand the origins of Western drama. Discover the genesis of such ideas as the Oedipus Complex, the Golden Mean, the Golden Fleece, the Trojan Horse, the Socratic Method and Platonic Love. Recognize literary allusions to people and events such as the Olympic Games, the Bronze Age, the Fates, Medea, Electra and the Muses. Comprehend, through example, such literary terms as medias res, hubris and nemesis. Place Greek authors in historical context and chronological relationship to one another. Review major events of Greek civil wars as discussed by such writers as Herodotus, Xenophon and Thucydides. Recognize the roots of Western thought and philosophy in such writers as Plato, Aristotle and Socrates. For comprehensive, in-depth treatment of the following works, see the Cliffs Notes on each title: Iliad; Odyssey; Agamemnon; Oedipus Rex; Electra & Medea; Lysistrata; Plato's Euthyphro, Apology, Crito and Phaedo; Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Ethics.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also features glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. CliffsNotes on Aeneid takes you on the journey of a band of survivors who leave their destroyed city to seek another home in a faraway country. Woven from myth and legend, the story is about rebirth, about life springing forth from ruin and death. This study guide will help navigate the voyages of the Trojans and uncover their significance in Virgil's time and today. You'll also gain insight into the life and cultural background of the author. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format Considered to be one of the three greatest philosophical tomes of all time, The Republic is Plato's account and interpretation of Socrates' ideas about life, meaning, and the just society. This text has provoked and shaped thought for thousands of years and is as applicable now as it ever was. CliffsNotes on Plato's Republic helps you explore these writings by providing you with summaries and commentaries, book by book. You'll also gain insight into the life and background of the author, Plato, and understand his growth as a philosopher. Other features that help you study include: A list of speakers and their descriptions Glossaries to help you fully understand new and unfamiliar terms Character analyses of Socrates, Thrasymachus, and others Critical essays on Plato's flyting, his childhood, and Leonidas A review section to test your knowledge with books, websites, and more for further study Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. In CliffsNotes on Mythology, you'll review the myths from seven different cultures and gain an overview of the stories that people have lived by from ancient times to the present. The gods and their stories depict life's lessons and personal relationships and present a moral code of human conduct. These stories are also a map to understanding history. This CliffsNotes guide covers Egyptian, Babylonian, Indian, Greek, Roman, and Norse mythologies, as well as the Arthurian legends. Features that help you figure out these important works include An introduction to mythology The main gods of various cultures Review questions Recommended readings Genealogical tables of major gods Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.

This CliffsNotes guide includes everything you’ve come to expect from the trusted experts at CliffsNotes, including analysis of the most widely read literary works.

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. CliffsNotes on The Count of Monte Cristo takes you into a rollicking yarn of adventure, wit, and revenge. Following the story of a man imprisoned for 14 years who escapes by outsmarting his captors, this study guide shows through its expert commentaries just how the Count works justice with a vengeance on his enemies. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of the author, Alexandre Dumas Character sketches on the novel's vast array of personalities Plot synopsis and summaries for each chapter Suggested essay topics and a select bibliography Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.