Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Latin

The Founding of Rome: Between Myth and Reality

The traditional date for the founding of the greatest city of the Western world was the product of guesswork by Roman writers of the late centuries BC, working backward from their own time. There were reports of kings of Rome in the early days before the last of them, Tarquin the Proud, was expelled and the Roman Republic was founded, which was believed to have happened in 510 BC. Allowing for the reigns of Tarquin's predecessors carried the calculation back some two to three hundred years. After ranging shots by various writers, the author Varro, greatly respected for his learning in the first century BC, settled on the year 753 BC, which became the accepted, official date. All subsequent dates... Continue reading "Ancient Rome's Founding: Myths and History" »

Coleridge centered on the ideal of Romanticism, representing the self.

• Description of the supernatural
• Individuality represented by dreams

These poets embody the movement in literary terms. For Coleridge, poetry is the exponent of Romanticism and is represented as the priority of English literature (a cultural interpretation). The poets consider themselves a kind of leader who helps to understand society. The poet is the one who teaches and guides, leading others to the truth.

Poetry explains to people how the world works. It is a vital way of teaching. Every poet interprets Romanticism in a very different way. The Romantic elements are seen from different points of view as they structure their Romanticism. Wordsworth and Coleridge use very different... Continue reading "Coleridge and Wordsworth: Romanticism, Language, and Imagination" »

Contemporary Literature (1945-Present)

Historical Context

• Media-Saturated Culture: People observe life as media presents it rather than experiencing life directly.
• Value Relativity: Insistence that values are not permanent but only "local" or "historical"; media culture interprets values.
• Post-WWII Prosperity: The economic boom following the Second World War.
• New Era: People beginning a new century and a new millennium.
• Social Protest: Increased movements advocating for social change.

Genre and Style Characteristics

• Blurred Reality: Lines between reality and fantasy are blurred; mix of fantasy and nonfiction.
• Anti-Heroes: Absence of traditional heroes, featuring anti-heroes instead.
• Individual Isolation: Concern with the individual in isolation.
• Tone:

What is Parallelism?

Parallelism is a rhetorical device that involves repeating a grammatical structure.

How Did Dr. King Define Just Laws?

Dr. King defined just laws as laws made by a majority that apply to everyone and that respect human dignity.

How Does King View Time?

King views time as a neutral force that must be used proactively to create change.

Why Was King Arrested?

King was arrested for violating a moratorium on demonstrations.

What Did King Think About Being Told to Wait for His Rights?

King believed that African Americans had already waited almost 400 years for their rights and that no rights had ever been gained without demanding them.

What Does Retaliate Mean?

Retaliate means to make an attack in return for a similar attack.

Was Dr. King'

Understanding Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes

Prefixes

Prefixes are added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Here are some common prefixes:

1. Anti-, Counter-, Contra-: Opposed to, against
2. Bi-: Having two
3. Circum-: Around, about
4. Com-, Con-, Col-, Cor-: With, together
5. En-: To change to
6. Ex-: Former, previous
7. In-, Im-, Il-, Ir-, Un-: Not, not having, lacking
8. Non-: Not, lacking
9. Per-: All over, very
10. Pre-: Before
11. Trans-: Across, beyond, through
12. Uni-: Single, one
13. Ab-: Away, from
14. Ad-: Motion to, increase in
15. De-: Down, away
16. In-, Im-: In, into
17. Inter-: Between
18. Mis-: Wrong, wrongly
19. Post-: After
20. Pro-: Favoring, forward, for
21. Re-: Again, back
22. Semi-: Half, partly
23. Sub-: Less, beneath, somewhat, later
24. Super-: Over, above, beyond

Roots

Roots are the core of a word, carrying the... Continue reading "Essential Guide to Prefixes, Roots, and Suffixes" »

Deadlock

A complete failure to reach agreement or solve an argument.

The Case of Boom Boom's Death

1. Boom Boom was an injured hockey player working for Eudora Grain Company; he was found dead.
2. A ship was tied up at the wharf, and Boom Boom went under as she pulled away. His body was badly chewed up (p. 2).
3. Why couldn’t the Lucella Wieser take on grain from Eudora’s wharf?
   Someone put water in the holds, and they had to dry them out (page 11).
4. Eudora’s manager is Clayton Phillips.
5. Niels Grafalk and Martin were a clever businessman who used to work for Niels, but he left. Niels finds it impossible to accept Martin’s departure.

Vic's Investigation Begins

6. Vic returns to Boom Boom’s apartment. Someone had torn the place apart, and the watchman was

Background

In a time of chaos, a great leader rises to power by promising to restore order. He rewards the loyal followers who have helped him. Soon he grows so powerful and arrogant that even his followers no longer trust him and conspire to kill him. In the hands of William Shakespeare, this true story from history became a great tragic drama, The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

Full title

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar

Author

William Shakespeare

Type of work

Play

Genre

Tragic drama, historical drama

Language

Old English

Time and place written

1599, in London

Climax

Cassius’s death (V.iii), upon ordering his servant, Pindarus, to stab him, marks the point at which it becomes clear that the murdered Caesar has been avenged, and that Cassius, Brutus, and the other... Continue reading "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: Characters, Setting, and Plot" »

Beowulf: An Ancient English Epic Poem

• Setting: Around the sixth century.
• Written Down: Probably not until the eighth century.
• Significance: Considered the first heroic text in English literature.
• Protagonist: A brave young man from southern Sweden.
• Author: Anonymous.
• Form: Written in verse.

The Canterbury Tales: Chaucer's Medieval Masterpiece

• Author: Geoffrey Chaucer.
• Period: Written between 1387 and 1400.
• Structure: A collection of short stories presented as a frame story.
• Plot: Follows a group of 30 pilgrims traveling to Canterbury.
• Characters: Pilgrims from all layers of society.
• Purpose of Stories: To pass the time during their journey.

Hamlet: Shakespeare's Iconic Tragedy of Revenge

• Theme: Revenge.
• Type: Tragedy, Drama.
• Setting: Denmark.
• Plot Summary:
  • Events

True or False

T Kunta Kinte was born in Juffure.

F The Koro family was friendly with Kunta Kinte. They were enemies.

T Silla is Omoro's brother.

T John Waller owns a tobacco plantation.

T Kunta Kinte tries to escape John Waller's farm during the New Year party.

F Part 2 happens 20 years after part 1. Only 12 years pass.

T Kunta joins the army as an officer.

T Fiddler dies during Kizzy's naming ceremony.

T Noah dies in a big fire in the woods.

T Tom Lea lives in North Carolina.

F Mingo is Kunta Kinte's uncle. Mingo is a friend of Chicken George.

F In the duel, both men have the right to shoot their guns three times. They can only shoot twice.

T Marcellus offers $2,000 for Kizzy's freedom.

F Mingo dies because of sickness. He dies from a beating.

T George is... Continue reading "Roots: A Study Guide" »