Beowulf is the earliest extant heroic poem in any modern European language . The full story survives in the manuscript known as the Nowell Codex . Although the manuscript dates from the tenth century , the poem was probably composed in the eighth century and deals with sixth century events , before the migration ofContinue reading “Beowulf – the context and history behind the poem .”
Tag Archives: literature
Anglo Saxons and the birth of English literature
The story of English literature begins with the Germanic tradition of the Anglo Saxon settlers . The Romans withdrew from Britain early in the fifth century because they were needed back home to defend the crumbling centre of the Roman Empire . Britain was considered a far flung outpost of little value or significance toContinue reading “Anglo Saxons and the birth of English literature”
Poetic justice and it’s part in a tragedy .
Poetic justice implies the even distribution of prosperity and adversity in proportion to the merits of different agents or doers . The idea is that evil is to be duly punished and the good and just is to be rewarded appropriately . There is also the typical belief that the function of literature is toContinue reading “Poetic justice and it’s part in a tragedy .”
Chorus – a brief summary
One of the fundamental aspects of the classical Greek tragedy is perceived in the presence of a chorus. The chorus is a part of the traditional origin of the Greek drama , and it is essentially an incidental feature . In a classical Greek play it usually implies a single singer or a band ofContinue reading “Chorus – a brief summary”
Latin influence on the English language
A very important phase of Latin influence on English was opened up by conversion of England to Christianity . The period of influence may be said to start from 597 AD with the conversion of Kent and lasted throughout the old English period . The Christian monks were the only literate people in this timeContinue reading “Latin influence on the English language”
Oedipus’ anger against Tiresias
After solving the riddle of the Sphinx , Oedipus becomes the king of Thebes and as he ascends to the throne he is confronted with the fact that his kingdom is being devastated by plague. He tries to know the reason behind the plague very earnestly . He sends his confidant Creon to the templeContinue reading “Oedipus’ anger against Tiresias”
Catastrophe – a brief summary
The ultimate stage in the plot of a tragic play is the Catastrophe . It is the culmination of a dramatic story reaching its finale and ending with a dramatic conflict . After all suspense and uncertainty the action of the play reaches the inevitable end in which the protagonist succumbs to the dark forcesContinue reading “Catastrophe – a brief summary”
Hamartia – a brief summary
The best tragic action , in Aristotle’s viewpoint concieves a change in fortune not from misery to prosperity , but the opposite . This change is due to the error of humans in their actions . In chapter 13 of Poetics , Aristotle further enunciates wherefrom the tragic suffering ensues and the nature of theContinue reading “Hamartia – a brief summary”
Catharsis – a brief overview
Catharsis , as defined by Aristotle is an element of the emotional effect of tragedy . He says that the action of the tragedy has a healthy impact on the mind and arouses pity and fear simultaneously to accomplish the catharsis of such emotions . Thus catharsis can be chalked up to be the processContinue reading “Catharsis – a brief overview”
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