The Greco Roman Gays
Who mistrusted the understanding that everything is an imitation of the ideal and art is supposed to be closest to the ideal, arguing instead that there are ABSOLUTE UNIVERSAL TRUTHS AROUND US THAT YOU CAN'T IMITATE MATERIALLY, AND NO MATTER WHAT, YOU CAN'T RECREATE THE IDEAL IN IMITATION.
PLATO
Who wrote a defense for poetry/ an apology for poetry as a response to "The School of Abuse" by Stephen Gosson in which he
1- defends the dignity of poetry by saying it is superior to history and philosophy,
2- responds to the accusation that "poets lie" by saying "now for the poet, he affirms nothing and lies never."
3- claims that the purpose of poetry is to be a speaking picture imitating the ideal- God's cosmological plan
Philip Sydney
A movement characterized by a focus on emotion, individualism, nature, and imagination in literature. It emerged in the late 18th century as a reaction against neoclassical norms, prioritizing subjectivity and passion. Notable figures include Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Shelley. This movement encourages higher-order thinking skills such as analysis, evaluation, and creation when examining texts.
Romanticism
Identify the two most significant thinkers of the Victorian Age and explain their significance within the context of challenging conventional perceptions regarding industrialization's potential destructiveness.
1. Charles Darwin
- Developed the theory of evolution through natural selection.
- Challenged religious and societal beliefs about humanity's place in nature.
- Darwin's work suggested a naturalistic view of progress, contrasting with traditional religious narratives.
2. Karl Marx
- Formulated the theory of historical materialism and communism.
- Critiqued capitalism's exploitation of labor and predicted its eventual downfall.
- Marx's ideas highlighted the social and economic inequalities inherent in industrial societies, sparking movements for social change.
When did the modernist movement supposedly begin?
1890's-1910's
WHAT DID PLATO HAVE AGAINST LITERATURE?
We as humans don't have the ability to accurately perceive the world around us an recreate it. It's inferior, and that's what poetry imitates. writing and the arts triggered protest.
Who breaks away from the literary traditions set by the Greco-romans because it was bound by the same stuff, and is most known for categorizing and heirarching disciplines in a pyramid, with history and experience being at the bottom, followed by observable phenomena, physics and metaphysics, and philosophy at the top?
Francis Bacon
By writing the preface to the lyrical ballads, and biographia literaria, what did Wordsworth and Coleridge aim to do and what did they accomplish?
- Wordsworth and Coleridge aimed to redefine poetry and provide a theoretical framework for the Romantic movement.
- They sought to elevate the ordinary and emphasize the power of imagination, emotion, and the natural world in literature.
- Wordsworth's preface emphasized the role of the poet as a "man speaking to men" and advocated for a language closer to everyday speech.
- Coleridge, in "Biographia Literaria," delved into the nature of poetic inspiration and the symbolic imagination.
- Together, they accomplished a shift in literary consciousness, influencing generations of poets and critics and establishing Romanticism as a significant literary movement.
- Their works challenged conventional notions of poetry and laid the groundwork for the exploration of the subjective self and the natural world in literature.
Explain society according to Matthew Arnold.
Barbarians:
Philistines:
Populace:
What happened to the arts at this point in time, and why?
Music- melody and harmony abandoned
Literature- no longer linear
Painting- became abstract
Architecture-just became wacky (and low-key ugly)
overall breaking apart the structures in place because of the DISILLUSIONMENT AND HORROR OF THE WAR
WHY DOES ARISTOTLE MATTER TO LITERARY THEORY AND CRITICISM?
1. Poetics
In "Poetics," Aristotle provides a systematic analysis of tragedy, outlining its elements such as plot, character, and spectacle.
2. Mimesis: He argues that art imitates life and that literature, in particular, has the power to represent human actions and emotions.
3. **Catharsis**: the emotional cleansing or purging experienced by the audience of a tragedy. This idea has led to debates about the psychological effects of literature and the ways in which literature can evoke empathy and understanding in its readers.
4. **Unity of Plot**: Aristotle emphasizes the importance of unity of plot in a work of literature, arguing that a well-structured plot should have a beginning, middle, and end, with a clear cause-and-effect relationship between events.
What is Neoclassical Wit according to Samuel Johnson, Joseph Addison, and Richard Steele?
Neoclassical wit, according to Samuel Johnson, Joseph Addison, and Richard Steele,
is a literary concept embodying balance, clarity, and restraint in expression.
It goes beyond mere humor, serving to convey complex ideas concisely and elegantly.
Found in aphorisms, epigrams, and satire,
it critiques societal norms while upholding principles of reason and moderation.
In two words, what is imagination according to William Wordsworth?
Creative Perception
Explain how Mathew Arnold's realism was relevant in the Victorian Age.
Emphasized literature as a reflection of societal realities:
Arnold believed that literature should accurately depict the social, cultural, and moral conditions of its time, offering insights into the broader context of Victorian society.
- Advocated for objective observation and critical engagement:
He encouraged literary critics to approach texts with a clear-eyed perspective, free from personal biases or ideological agendas, and to critically analyze their themes, characters, and messages.
- Employed an empirical approach, considering historical and cultural contexts:
Arnold's criticism was grounded in empirical evidence, considering the historical and cultural contexts in which literary works were produced to better understand their significance and relevance.
- **Critiqued sentimentalism and didacticism in literature**: Arnold criticized overly sentimental or moralistic portrayals in literature, arguing that they obscured the complexities of human experience and failed to accurately represent Victorian society.
- **Highlighted the importance of literature to educate and enlighten about societal complexities**: He believed that literature had a vital role to play in educating and enlightening readers about the complexities of Victorian society, helping them to better understand themselves and the world around them.
How did narratives shift in the modernism era?
They became open-ended stories full of experimentation, with individual subjective experiences.
HOW IS HORACE DIFFERENT FROM ARISTOTLE AND PLATO?
- Horace's approach to literature is pragmatic, offering practical advice for poets in "Ars Poetica," emphasizing coherence, conciseness, and the balance between instruction and entertainment.
- In contrast, Aristotle's "Poetics" provides a systematic analysis of literature, focusing on theoretical principles like mimesis, catharsis, and the unity of plot to understand the philosophical underpinnings of art.
- Plato expresses skepticism towards art, particularly poetry, viewing it as potentially corrupting and leading individuals away from truth and virtue in works like "The Republic" and "Phaedrus."
- While Horace's focus is on practical guidance for poets, Aristotle delves into theoretical foundations, and Plato raises philosophical concerns about literature's ethical and political implications.
Whose significance lies in his comprehensive and systematic approach to literary criticism. His "Dictionary of the English Language" provided a standardized reference point for English words, contributing to linguistic clarity and precision in literary analysis. Johnson's significance lies in his comprehensive and systematic approach to literary criticism. His "Dictionary of the English Language" provided a standardized reference point for English words, contributing to linguistic clarity and precision in literary analysis. His critical essays, particularly in "The Rambler" and "The Lives of the Poets," offered insightful interpretations of various literary works and authors, setting benchmarks for literary evaluation and scholarship.
Samuel Johnson
"The poet becomes a living soul who sees into the life of things."- William Wordsworth.
How?
1- Poets can visualize the hidden beauty of the world.
2- Poets can recreate reality.
3- Poetry expresses the imagination.
4- Poetry participates in "the eternal, the infinite, and theone."
What is "Disinterest" and which literary theorists were for it and against it?
Disinterest in Victorian Literary Criticism:
Definition: Disinterest in Victorian literary criticism refers to the ideal of maintaining objectivity and impartiality when analyzing and evaluating literary works, focusing solely on intrinsic merits rather than external factors.
For Disinterest: Matthew Arnold:
- Position: Arnold advocated for disinterest, believing critics should evaluate literature based on aesthetic qualities and intellectual content.
- Reasoning: He argued disinterest upheld literature's integrity and cultivated refined literary taste.
Against Disinterest: Stanley Fish:
- Position: Fish challenged disinterest, claiming complete objectivity is impossible due to critics' subjective perspectives.
- Reasoning: Fish advocated for a self-aware approach, arguing subjectivity allows for deeper engagement with texts and diverse interpretations.
Why is James Joyce important to modernism?
James Joyce is important to modernism because:
1. **Innovative Narrative Techniques:** Joyce pioneered innovative narrative techniques, such as stream of consciousness, interior monologue, and nonlinear storytelling, which challenged traditional literary forms and revolutionized the way stories are told.
2. **Exploration of Human Consciousness:** His works, particularly "Ulysses" and "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," delve deeply into the complexities of human consciousness, offering profound insights into the inner workings of the human mind.
3. **Capturing Fragmentation of Reality:** Joyce's writing captures the fragmented nature of reality in the modern world, reflecting the chaos and uncertainty of the early 20th century. His use of disjointed narrative mirrors the disintegration of traditional societal structures and values.
4. **Language Experimentation:** Joyce experimented extensively with language, employing wordplay, puns, allusions, and multiple languages within his works. This linguistic experimentation pushed the boundaries of what literature could achieve and expanded the possibilities of expression.
5. **Influence on Later Writers:** Joyce's groundbreaking works had a profound influence on subsequent generations of writers and artists, shaping the course of modern literature and contributing to the development of literary modernism as a whole.
How is Longinus relevant to literary theory and criticism?
- **Sublimity Theory**: Longinus introduced the concept of "sublimity," emphasizing elevated language and ideas in great literature.
- **Rhetorical Analysis**: Longinus analyzed rhetorical techniques, highlighting their role in evoking emotions and persuading audiences.
- **Critical Evaluation**: Longinus provided criteria for judging literary quality, emphasizing passion, imagination, and inspiration.
- **Influence on Later Critics**: Longinus's ideas have influenced later critics, including the Romantics, shaping discussions on artistic creativity.
- **Cross-cultural Influence**: Longinus's work transcends cultures, inspiring discussions of literary excellence worldwide.
Whose collaborative venture, "The Spectator," revolutionized the landscape of literary journalism. Through their periodical, they popularized the essay form and utilized it as a platform for discussing literature, society, and moral philosophy. Their emphasis on wit, humor, and moral instruction helped shape cultural norms and literary tastes of the 18th century, establishing a template for literary criticism that resonates to this day.
Addisson and Steele
The essence of Romantic Era Literary Theory and Criticism
This literary movement valued both reason and emotion, championed intuition, and celebrated liberation from rigid structures, following the decline of traditional institutions like religion and monarchy.
What is liberal humanism and what are its features?
Definition:
A literary and cultural movement emphasizing individual agency, reason, and human dignity. Advocates pursuit of knowledge, freedom of expression, and fulfillment of human potential.
Key Features:
1. Focus on the Individual**: Emphasizes dignity and autonomy of individuals.
2. **Value of Reason and Education**: Promotes critical thinking and intellectual inquiry.
3. **Embrace of Human Diversity**: Recognizes worth of all individuals, promotes tolerance and inclusivity.
4. **Commitment to Human Rights**: Upholds rights, equality, and social justice.
5. **Optimism and Progress**: Believes in potential for human improvement and creating a more humane world.
Who are the high priests of Modernism?
TS Elliot
Ezra Pound
Franz Kafka
Gertrude Stein
James Joyce
Virginia Wolfe
Marcel Proust