Introduction to Western Literature 周淑娟 185&menu=2# 185&menu=2#

Introduction to Western Introduction to Western LiteratureLiterature

周淑娟周淑娟

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Guiding Questions for a Preliminary Guiding Questions for a Preliminary Overall PreviewOverall Preview

What are the two origins of Western What are the two origins of Western civilization?civilization?

When did modern Israel establish their When did modern Israel establish their nation? And where?nation? And where?

What is the cause of the political What is the cause of the political disturbances in the Middle East?disturbances in the Middle East?

Which race does the Israelites belong Which race does the Israelites belong to?to?


What is the religion the Israelites What is the religion the Israelites believes in?believes in?

What is their holy scripture? What is their holy scripture?

Have you ever heard of Palestine or the Have you ever heard of Palestine or the Palestinians? What’s the problem Palestinians? What’s the problem between them and the Israelites?between them and the Israelites?

Which race does Christ belong to?Which race does Christ belong to?


What is the holy book of Christianity? What is the holy book of Christianity? Who are the people that caused Jesus Who are the people that caused Jesus Christ’s death? And Why?Christ’s death? And Why?

Do you know the relation (the Do you know the relation (the differences) between Judaism & differences) between Judaism & Christianity?)Christianity?)

Have you ever heard of Have you ever heard of Ten Ten CommandmentsCommandments? Or Disney animation ? Or Disney animation Prince of EgyptPrince of Egypt??


In what language was the four gospels of In what language was the four gospels of New Testament written?New Testament written?

What was the official religion of the later What was the official religion of the later Roman empire?Roman empire?

What is the British orthodox religion?What is the British orthodox religion?

How did this religion come about?How did this religion come about?


Who is the official leader of the Church of Who is the official leader of the Church of England? England?


Why did the Puritans Why did the Puritans

immigrate to America?immigrate to America?

Mapping Up the Development of Mapping Up the Development of Western CivilizationWestern Civilization

East East West West

South South NorthNorth

Structure of the Norton TextbookStructure of the Norton Textbook

I. Ancient Mediterranean and Near I. Ancient Mediterranean and Near

Eastern Literature Eastern Literature (1900 BCE onward)(1900 BCE onward)

II. Circling the Mediterranean: Europe andII. Circling the Mediterranean: Europe and

the Islamic World the Islamic World (the beginning of CE— (the beginning of CE—

1515thth century ) century )

III. Europe and the New World: EarlyIII. Europe and the New World: Early

Modernity Modernity (Renaissance)(Renaissance)

Our FocusOur Focus

I. The Hebrew Bible (ca. 1000—300 BCE)I. The Hebrew Bible (ca. 1000—300 BCE)II. The Greek & Roman WorldII. The Greek & Roman World----Homer (8th century BCE)----Homer (8th century BCE)----Aeschylus; Sophocles; Euripides ----Aeschylus; Sophocles; Euripides (5th century BCE)(5th century BCE)----Virgil (1th century BEC)----Virgil (1th century BEC)III. The Christian Bible: III. The Christian Bible: (the New Testament; 1th century CE)(the New Testament; 1th century CE)

I. Ancient Mediterranean & Near I. Ancient Mediterranean & Near Eastern Literature Eastern Literature

1.1. Near Eastern Near Eastern

(Mesopotamia; Egypt; the Hebrews)(Mesopotamia; Egypt; the Hebrews)

1.1. The GreeksThe Greeks

2.2. RomeRome

The Invention of WritingThe Invention of Writing

Oral literature Oral literature Written literature Written literature

First appearance of writingFirst appearance of writing

place: Mesopotamia (Tigris & Euphrates rivers)place: Mesopotamia (Tigris & Euphrates rivers)

Material: tablets of wet clay Material: tablets of wet clay

1.1. 3300 – 2900 BCE (inscriptions with a3300 – 2900 BCE (inscriptions with a

pointed stick)pointed stick)

2. 2800 BCE: cuneiform (wedge-shaped; 2. 2800 BCE: cuneiform (wedge-shaped; 楔形楔形文字文字 ))

---(Sumerian epic ---(Sumerian epic GilgameshGilgamesh; ca1900—250; ca1900—250

BCE)BCE)

The Fertile Crescent (The Fertile Crescent ( 肥沃月灣肥沃月灣 ) : ) : Euphrates & TigrisEuphrates & Tigris

Sumerians Sumerians （（ 3000 BCE)3000 BCE)

Babylonians Babylonians (Hammurabi; ca. 1728-1686 BEC)(Hammurabi; ca. 1728-1686 BEC)

Assyrians Assyrians

The Deplorable History of the The Deplorable History of the HebrewsHebrews

tribal periodtribal period （（ ca. 2000-1005 BCEca. 2000-1005 BCE ））empirical periodempirical period （（ 1005-925 BCE1005-925 BCE ））the divided kingdom:the divided kingdom: Israel: Israel: 721 BCE721 BCE

Judah: Judah: 612 BCE612 BCE

Ruled by various alien races:Ruled by various alien races: ----Assyrian Empire (746-609 BCE)Assyrian Empire (746-609 BCE)

--Babylonian Empire (609-539 BCE)--Babylonian Empire (609-539 BCE)--Macedonian Empire (336-323 BCE)--Macedonian Empire (336-323 BCE)--Roman Empire (509 BCE--)--Roman Empire (509 BCE--)--Byzantine --Byzantine [bɪˋzæntɪn] [bɪˋzæntɪn] Empire (--AD 1453)Empire (--AD 1453)

Egypt (North Africa)Egypt (North Africa)

Egypt Egypt (3000 BCE)(3000 BCE)

MacedoniaMacedonia

（（ Alexander the Great; 326-323 BCEAlexander the Great; 326-323 BCE ））Ptolemy’s Greek dynasty Ptolemy’s Greek dynasty

(till Cleopatra died in 30 BCE; (till Cleopatra died in 30 BCE;

the period when the New Testamentthe period when the New Testament

was writtenwas written ））

Other Forms of Writing 1Other Forms of Writing 1

Place: EgyptPlace: Egypt

Location: Location:

temple walls and public monuments temple walls and public monuments

Form: hieroglyphic (sacred, carving) Form: hieroglyphic (sacred, carving)

(pictographic; (pictographic; 象形文字象形文字 ))

Other Forms of Writing 2: The Other Forms of Writing 2: The Phoenicians Phoenicians

The language that survived, in modified The language that survived, in modified forms, until the present dayforms, until the present day

Adopted by the ancient HebrewsAdopted by the ancient Hebrews

Modified by the GreeksModified by the Greeks

Passed down by RomansPassed down by Romans

Their Cultures 1Their Cultures 1

Economic dependence on slavesEconomic dependence on slaves

Heavy reliance on natural resources: Heavy reliance on natural resources: agriculture and animal husbandryagriculture and animal husbandry

---valley of the Nile (Thebes & Memphis)---valley of the Nile (Thebes & Memphis)

---valleys of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers ---valleys of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers (Babylon & Nineveh; Fertile Crescent)(Babylon & Nineveh; Fertile Crescent)

Their Cultures 2Their Cultures 2

Time: 2nd millennium BCE onwardTime: 2nd millennium BCE onward

The Hebrews, the Greeks, the RomansThe Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans

Mediterranean & Near East: A Mediterranean & Near East: A Single UnitSingle Unit

Large-scale cultural exchangesLarge-scale cultural exchanges

Ex. Greek sculpture & architecture (7th Ex. Greek sculpture & architecture (7th BCE) BCE) Egypt Egypt

Striking similarities between Greek and Striking similarities between Greek and Near Eastern mythsNear Eastern myths

ReligionReligion

Most were Most were polytheisticpolytheistic

Gods often reinvented from one place to Gods often reinvented from one place to another (cross-cultural influence)another (cross-cultural influence)

Exceptions: the Egyptian & Hebrew godExceptions: the Egyptian & Hebrew god

Religious practiceReligious practice (orthopraxy) more (orthopraxy) more important than religious belief (orthodoxy)important than religious belief (orthodoxy)

Exception: the Hebrew—religion linked to Exception: the Hebrew—religion linked to

moral codemoral code

The GreeksThe Greeks

Language: Indo-European (Language: Indo-European ( 印歐語系印歐語系 ))

First cultural blossom: Minoan (King MinoFirst cultural blossom: Minoan (King Minos)s)

Time: 2nd millennium BCETime: 2nd millennium BCE

Place: CretePlace: Crete

Citadel: MycenaeCitadel: Mycenae

Palace: PylosPalace: Pylos

Knowledge of writingKnowledge of writing

The Dark Ages of GreeceThe Dark Ages of Greece

The Minoan culture destroyed, together The Minoan culture destroyed, together with its writing system, by fire in the last with its writing system, by fire in the last century of the millenniumcentury of the millennium

11th—8th century BCE: illiterate11th—8th century BCE: illiterate

The appearance of a new Greek The appearance of a new Greek cultureculture

88thth century BCE: literate again century BCE: literate again

New language system: borrowed from the New language system: borrowed from the PhoeniciansPhoenicians

Made up of many independent cities: Made up of many independent cities:

city-states: rivals and fierce competitorscity-states: rivals and fierce competitors

land of mountain barriers and scattered land of mountain barriers and scattered islandsislands

The Greek Colonization The Greek Colonization

period: 8th & 7th century BCEperiod: 8th & 7th century BCE

Location: all over the Mediterranean coast, Location: all over the Mediterranean coast, including the coast of Asia Minorincluding the coast of Asia Minor

It was in the cities founded on the Asian It was in the cities founded on the Asian coast that the Greeks adapted the coast that the Greeks adapted the Phoenician system of writing Phoenician system of writing

The Persian invasion of GreeceThe Persian invasion of Greece

Period: 490—479 BCEPeriod: 490—479 BCE

Result: the Greeks won under theResult: the Greeks won under the

leadership of Athens and Spartaleadership of Athens and Sparta

Effect: the Athenians produced their mostEffect: the Athenians produced their most

important literary and culturalimportant literary and cultural

achievementachievement

The Film: The Film: 300300

Sparta vs. AthensSparta vs. Athens

Sparta: Sparta:

---Oligarchy (“rule of the few”)---Oligarchy (“rule of the few”)

---strict military discipline---strict military discipline

---superior land army ---superior land army controlled majority controlled majority of the city-states of the Peloponnese of the city-states of the Peloponnese

Sparta vs. AthensSparta vs. Athens

Attica (Athens as its leading city):Attica (Athens as its leading city):

---direct democracy (excluding women, ---direct democracy (excluding women, slaves & resident aliens)slaves & resident aliens)

---women with especially low autonomy than ---women with especially low autonomy than other city-statesother city-states

---strong fleet power ---strong fleet power naval alliance naval alliance

Peloponnesian WarPeloponnesian War

Conflict: Athens vs. SpartaConflict: Athens vs. Sparta

Period: 431—404 BCEPeriod: 431—404 BCE

Result: total defeat of AthensResult: total defeat of Athens

Effect: great political and cultural changesEffect: great political and cultural changes

Changes in AthensChanges in Athens

Self-confidence Self-confidence social tensions & social tensions & anxietiesanxieties

Cultural & intellectual prosperityCultural & intellectual prosperity---1st anthropological historian: Herodotus ---1st anthropological historian: Herodotus ---1st political historian: Thucydides---1st political historian: Thucydides---the dawning of prose literature---the dawning of prose literature---the great age of Athenian theater: ---the great age of Athenian theater: tragedy & comedy tragedy & comedy

Changes in Athens: EducationChanges in Athens: Education

Before: based on the poems of HomerBefore: based on the poems of Homer

Now: stressing public speaking Now: stressing public speaking

Sophists (wisdom teachers; Sophists (wisdom teachers; 詭辯學家詭辯學家 ) )

Subjects: the techniques of rhetoric; goverSubjects: the techniques of rhetoric; government; ethics; literary criticism; astronomynment; ethics; literary criticism; astronomy

Result: generation gap (“Man is the measResult: generation gap (“Man is the measure of all things.”ure of all things.”

A particular Sophist: A particular Sophist:

Socrates (who taught without fee)Socrates (who taught without fee)

Investigating ethics, politics, and truthInvestigating ethics, politics, and truth

Method: dialectics (question and answer)Method: dialectics (question and answer)

Belief: the possibility of true goodnessBelief: the possibility of true goodness

His most brilliant student: PlatoHis most brilliant student: Plato

Historical significance: the starting point Historical significance: the starting point for all later Western philosophyfor all later Western philosophy

The decline of AthensThe decline of Athens

The whole traditional basis of individual coThe whole traditional basis of individual conduct, stressing the concern for the unity onduct, stressing the concern for the unity of the city-state, was undermined.f the city-state, was undermined.

The surrender to Spartan in 404 BCEThe surrender to Spartan in 404 BCE

The execution of SocratesThe execution of Socrates

The defeat by Macedon (The defeat by Macedon ( 馬其頓王國馬其頓王國 )in 3)in 338 BCE38 BCE

Macedon and AlexanderMacedon and Alexander

The great empire that extended into Egypt The great empire that extended into Egypt in the south and to the borders of India in tin the south and to the borders of India in the easthe east

Alexander’s death in 323 BCEAlexander’s death in 323 BCE a number a number of independent kingdoms rules by his genof independent kingdoms rules by his generals (the Hellenistic age)erals (the Hellenistic age)

Ptolemy Ptolemy Cleopatra Cleopatra 埃及豔后埃及豔后 (died with (died with the Roman conquest) the Roman conquest)

The Hellenistic Age: A Greek-The Hellenistic Age: A Greek-Speaking WorldSpeaking World

The immigration of the Greeks to the The immigration of the Greeks to the newly conquered territories newly conquered territories

The great Hellenistic cities grew out of the The great Hellenistic cities grew out of the earlier city-state model and continued earlier city-state model and continued many of its civic and political institutions.many of its civic and political institutions.

At Alexandria, in Egypt, a Greek library At Alexandria, in Egypt, a Greek library was formed.was formed.

The Hellenistic Age: A Greek-The Hellenistic Age: A Greek-Speaking WorldSpeaking World

The Middle-East became a Greek-speakinThe Middle-East became a Greek-speaking regiong region

The accounts of life and teaching of Jesus The accounts of life and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth were recorded in the simple vof Nazareth were recorded in the simple vernacular Greek know as ernacular Greek know as koinekoine. .

Rome: HistoryRome: History

Dominated most of the Italian peninsula by Dominated most of the Italian peninsula by the middle of the 3rd century BCE.the middle of the 3rd century BCE.

Expansion southward brought collision Expansion southward brought collision with Carthage, the greatest power in the with Carthage, the greatest power in the western Mediterranean.western Mediterranean.

A world power in 201 BCE with its victory A world power in 201 BCE with its victory over Carthage.over Carthage.

Rome: Political SystemRome: Political System

A republic from around 509 BCEA republic from around 509 BCE

Power was shared among Senate, the Power was shared among Senate, the Assemblies, and Magistrates.Assemblies, and Magistrates.

The republic would last until 1st BCE. The republic would last until 1st BCE.

Rome: CultureRome: Culture

Seeing conflict as deadlySeeing conflict as deadly

Stressing a sense of tradition which valued Stressing a sense of tradition which valued seriousness, manly courage, industry, and seriousness, manly courage, industry, and above all, dutyabove all, duty

the basis of the Roman power: efficiency the basis of the Roman power: efficiency and strength through unity and strength through unity

a legal code that formed the model for all a legal code that formed the model for all later European and American law later European and American law

Rome: the talent for practical affairsRome: the talent for practical affairs

SewersSewers

Baths with hot and cold waterBaths with hot and cold water

Straight roadsStraight roads

Aqueducts to last two thousand yearsAqueducts to last two thousand years

The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

The rule of the ChurchThe rule of the Church

vernacular literature besides Latin; Islamic vernacular literature besides Latin; Islamic cultureculture

the age of faith: the age of faith: religious literaturereligious literature

the age of chivalrythe age of chivalry ：： knights offering proteknights offering protection against invadersction against invaders

The Story of King ArthurThe Story of King Arthur

Renaissance (Renaissance ( 文藝復興文藝復興 ))

a cultural movement that spanned the period a cultural movement that spanned the period roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, roughly from the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe and later spreading to the rest of Europe

Human beings became again the center of iHuman beings became again the center of intellectual inquiries. ntellectual inquiries.

The Beginning of ModernityThe Beginning of Modernity

travel & discoverytravel & discovery ：： Captain John Smith Captain John Smith

（（ Pocahontas Pocahontas ））ReformationReformation ：： --Protestants vs. --Protestants vs.

Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

--Church of England vs.--Church of England vs.

PuritanismPuritanism

Major WritesMajor Writes

I. The Classical PeriodI. The Classical Period

Homer:Homer: The Iliad; The Odyssey The Iliad; The Odyssey

Aeschylus: the Greek TragedistAeschylus: the Greek Tragedist(524?-456 BCE)(524?-456 BCE)

OresteiaOresteia

A trilogyA trilogy

AgamemnonAgamemnon

Sophocles: the Greek TragedistSophocles: the Greek Tragedist(ca. 496-406 BCE)(ca. 496-406 BCE)

Oedipus the KingOedipus the King

Euripides: the Greek TragedistEuripides: the Greek Tragedist(480-406 BCE)(480-406 BCE)

MedeaMedea

A tragedy with feministA tragedy with feminist

thoughtthought

Aristotle: the Greek PhilosopherAristotle: the Greek Philosopher(384-322 BCE)(384-322 BCE)

PoeticsPoetics

The earliest westernThe earliest western

literary criticismliterary criticism

Virgil: the Roman PoetVirgil: the Roman Poet(70-19 BCE)(70-19 BCE)

The AeneidThe Aeneid

Epic written by a single authorEpic written by a single author

The story about the originThe story about the origin

of the Roman empireof the Roman empire

Augustine: the Roman TheologistAugustine: the Roman Theologist

II. The Middle AgesII. The Middle Ages

Beowulf Beowulf

Epic written in old Epic written in old

EnglishEnglish

Author unknownAuthor unknown

ca. the 9th centuryca. the 9th century

The Song of RolandThe Song of Roland

Epic about chivalryEpic about chivalry

(Charlemagne )(Charlemagne )

Written in FrenchWritten in French

ca. 1100 ADca. 1100 AD

Dante Alighieri: (1265-1321 AD) Dante Alighieri: (1265-1321 AD)

The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy

Written in ItalianWritten in Italian

Boccaccio: (1313-1375)Boccaccio: (1313-1375)

DecameronDecameron: written in Italian: written in Italian

Sir Gawain & the Green KnightSir Gawain & the Green Knight

Romance written in middle EnglishRomance written in middle English

Story about King Arthur’s knightStory about King Arthur’s knight


ca. 1380 ADca. 1380 AD

Sir Thomas Malory: Sir Thomas Malory: The British Writer The British Writer (1405-1471)(1405-1471)

Morte Darthur (Death of Arthur)Morte Darthur (Death of Arthur)

Religious, chivalric themesReligious, chivalric themes

Geoffrey Chaucer: Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury The Canterbury TalesTales

1340-1400 AD1340-1400 AD

Written in middle EnglishWritten in middle English

Everyman Everyman (middle English)(middle English)

Morality play written in middle EnglishMorality play written in middle English

AllegoryAllegory


ca. 1495ca. 1495

III. RenaissanceIII. Renaissance

Francis Petrarch: The Italian PoetFrancis Petrarch: The Italian Poet(1304-1347 AD)(1304-1347 AD)

Father of humanismFather of humanism

SonnetsSonnets

Francois Rabelais: Francois Rabelais: (1495-1533 AD)(1495-1533 AD)

Gargantua and PantagruelGargantua and Pantagruel ( ( 巨人傳巨人傳 ))

Written in FrenchWritten in French

the story of two giants the story of two giants

amusing, extravagant, and satirical amusing, extravagant, and satirical

descriptions of humanistic descriptions of humanistic

ideals of the timeideals of the time

Desiderius Erasmus: Desiderius Erasmus: 1466?-1536 AD1466?-1536 AD

Dutch renaissance humanistDutch renaissance humanist

The Praise of Folly The Praise of Folly (Latin)(Latin)

A satirical examination ofA satirical examination of

pious but superstitious pious but superstitious

abuses of Catholic doctrineabuses of Catholic doctrine

Niccolo Machiavelli: The Italian PhilNiccolo Machiavelli: The Italian Philosopher osopher (1469-1527 AD)(1469-1527 AD)

The PrinceThe Prince ( ( 君王論君王論 ))

Written in ItalianWritten in Italian

Treatise on the need for stability in a Treatise on the need for stability in a

prince’s principality; at stake is its prince’s principality; at stake is its

preservationpreservation

Miguel Cervantes: Miguel Cervantes: The Spanish Writer The Spanish Writer (1547-1616 AD)(1547-1616 AD)

Don QuixoteDon Quixote

Written in SpanishWritten in Spanish

A picaresque novel mockingA picaresque novel mocking

chivalric romancechivalric romance

William Shakespeare: William Shakespeare: The British Writer The British Writer (1564-1616 AD)(1564-1616 AD)

SonnetsSonnets

PlaysPlays

Hamlet; Hamlet;

Romeo & JulietRomeo & Juliet

John Milton: The British Epic Writer John Milton: The British Epic Writer (1608-1647)(1608-1647)

Paradise LostParadise Lost

Question or Suggestion?Question or Suggestion?

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Introduction to Western Literature 周淑娟 185&menu=2# 185&menu=2#