Topic: Question 2, The Archaic Period reflected in literature (lyric poetry and Herodotus)
Thesis: The personal nature and divergent subject matter of Archaic Greek art, particularly in literature, reflect a period of great change in which there was an interest in establishing identity.
Arguments:
The development of poleis and ethnes as well as more defined social stratification within poleis produced a society interested in self-identity. Lyric poetry in turn was about personal subjects —Sappho used poetry to express her identity by describing her personal feelings and opinions— and referenced these changes—Theognis’ poetry attempted to reject the changing government and rise of the nouveau riche by expressing the virtues