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

Matthew Arnold: Poetry as Criticism of Life

We should conceive of it [poetry] as capable of higher uses, and called to higher destinies, than those which in general men have assigned to it hitherto. More and more mankind will discover that we have to turn to poetry to interpret life for us, to console us, to sustain us. Without poetry, our science will appear incomplete; and most of what now passes with us for religion and philosophy will be replaced by poetry. Science, I say, will appear incomplete without it...

But if we conceive thus highly of the destinies of poetry, we must also set our standard for poetry high, since poetry, to be capable of fulfilling such high destinies, must be poetry of a high order of excellence. We must accustom ourselves

Essential English Vocabulary & Grammar

Key Vocabulary: English-Catalan

Agreement

acord

Appearance

aspecte

Argument

discussió

Athletic build

complexió atlètica

Attraction

atracció

Average height

alçada mitjana

Awareness

consciència

Body language

llenguatge corporal

Brilliant

brillant, genial

Can’t believe one’s eyes

no poder creure el que es veu

Clever

intel·ligent

Compatibility

compatibilitat

Confidence

confiança

Curly

arrissat

Date

cita

Dating site

lloc web de contactes

Description

descripció

Enjoyment

plaer

Every now and then

de tant en tant

Fair

clara

Fall out

barallar-se

Feel uncomfortable

sentir-se incòmode

Focus on

concentrar-se en

Friendship

amistat

Frown

arrufar nas o celles

Get

tenir

Get along

avenir-se

Get it right

encertar-ho

Get to know

arribar a conèixer

Go on a diet

posar-

The Inter-War Period and the Evolution of Literature

Literature in the 1920s was still dominated by Modernism, exemplified by James Joyce’s Ulysses and T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land. This era was characterized by creative difficulty and controversy. However, fiction in the 1930s and 1940s saw a movement away from aesthetic emotions and personal relations, shifting toward a direct reflection of the political events and public causes of the period.

Factors Influencing the Literary Change

• The economic situation, including the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the subsequent Economic Depression.
• The devaluation of the pound and the formation of the Coalition government.
• Widespread unemployment and the rise of hunger marches.
• A pervasive sense of being

The Rise of Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain (711–1031)

The Muslims called the territory they controlled on the peninsula, Al-Andalus. This territory became a province, or emirate, of the Umayyad Caliphate of Damascus. The capital of the emirate was Córdoba. When the Abbasids of Baghdad took over from the Umayyads, the only Umayyad survivor, Abd ar-Rahman I, came to Al-Andalus. He declared himself an emir over the Independent Emirate.

The Fragmentation of Al-Andalus and the Taifa Kingdoms

In 912, Abd ar-Rahman III became emir. He governed very well and declared himself Caliph of Al-Andalus. He had absolute power. The Caliphate of Córdoba was formed, and a golden age began.

After 1008, the Caliphate of Córdoba was no longer unified. Al-Andalus was... Continue reading "The Rise and Fall of Al-Andalus: Islamic Spain History" »

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" »

The Founding of Rome: Legend and History

• Legendary Account: According to the legend, Rome was founded by the brothers Romulus and Remus, born of the union between Mars, god of war, and the daughter of an Etruscan king. They were raised by wolves. As adults, the two brothers had an argument which ended in Romulus' defeat of Remus and the subsequent founding of Rome.
• Historical Account: According to historians, the Etruscans and Latins founded the city in a strategic location near the sea. The Tiber River flows through the area, and there are a number of hills providing natural defense.

The Roman Monarchy (753–509 BC)

From the founding of the city until the 5th century BC, Rome took the form of a city-state ruled by kings (including Sabine and... Continue reading "Ancient Rome: History, Government, and Social Structure" »