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

Common Speech: The Basis of Poetry

For T.S. Eliot, poetry is language. Wordsworth stated that it was the language spoken by people, but later we find the verbose, rhetoric, and so on. After the 19th century, Eliot and Pound wanted to simplify expressions again and resorted to the colloquial language spoken by everyone. Eliot's works do not always represent the language of the streets. Of Dante, he said that poetry is a perfection of common language. Of Dryden, he said that he restored English verse. His biggest enemy was John Milton, because he wrote as if he were writing in Latin.

His Idea of Literary Tradition

Eliot considers that the poet's role and obligation is to express his epoch in his poems. The poet writes poems, and it is sufficient

Turnus Hears the City's Grief (Lines 614–625)

Meanwhile, in the outermost plain, the warlike Turnus followed a few men of his wondering force, now slower and less happy with the approach of the horses. The breeze brought a mixed shout to him, filling him with blind terrors. The sound of the confused city and the joyless murmurs struck his ears, having been heightened.

“Alas for me! Why are the walls distributed with so much grief? What great clamor rushes from the far-off city?”

Thus he spoke, halting, distracted, with the reins drawn up. His sister, Juturna, turned into the appearance of his charioteer Metiscus, controlling the chariot, horses, and reins, replied to him with such words:

Juturna's Deception and Turnus's Recognition (Lines

Walt Whitman: The Poet of America

He was known as the city’s poet. Whitman moved to Washington D.C. to be closer to the conflict of the Civil War, where he notably helped in the hospitals.

Leaves of Grass (1855)

• Published in 1855, this work went through 9 editions during his lifetime.
• Whitman continuously added and changed poems, dying without finishing the collection.

Symbolism in the Title

The title itself holds significant meaning:

• Grass: Represents the micro-level (journalist jargon for small, discarded writings) and the little things that were not considered news. Whitman rescues these ideas.
• Leaves: Represents the macro-level.
• The title signifies the unity of multitude, relating nature and literature.

Poetic Innovation: Free Verse

Whitman is credited... Continue reading "Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson: Pioneers of American Poetry" »

Tirant lo Blanch stands as one of the most significant books written in Valencian. Penned by Joanot Martorell in the 15th century, this remarkable work is an unusual chivalric novel, distinguished by its naturalistic and satirical character. It also appears to contain a strong autobiographical component, offering a unique glimpse into its author's world.

The Adventures of Knight Tirant lo Blanc

The novel recounts the feats and adventures of Knight Tirant lo Blanc from Brittany. Intriguingly, the narrative often parallels the life and exploits of Roger de Flor, the prominent leader of the mercenary Company of Almogàvers. This historical company fought extensively in Asia Minor and Greece, both for and against the Emperor of Byzantium.

Historical

ADDITION

Moreover, beside, furthermore, in addition (además), and also (y también), likewise (asimismo), as well as (como también), not only...but also (no solo...sino que también), further (mas aun), another (otro), still another (aun otro), last but not least (ultimo pero no menos importante).

RESULT

so (asi que, entonces), therefore (por lo tanto), hence (de ahí que), thus (asi), consequently, as a consequence (como consecuencia), for this reason (por esta razón), as a result (como resultado), so that (de manera que), that’s why (por eso es que), accordingly (por consiguiente), so...that (tan...que), such (a)...tan (tan...que), nevertheless (no obstante).

PURPOSE

in order to (con el fin de), in order that (con el fin de que), for the... Continue reading "Connecting Words and Phrases in Spanish - A Comprehensive Guide" »

Vocabulary Definitions

• Annular - (adj) ring-shaped
• Apiary - (n) a place where bees are kept and tended
• Apocalyptic - (adj) relating to a revelation
• Apostasy - (n) abandonment of faith or dedication to basic beliefs
• Append - (v) to attach, add
• Auspices - (n) patronage, sponsorship
• Brusque - (adj) abrupt, rough in speech or manner
• Bucolic - (adj) of the countryside
• Cabal - (n) a group of people engaged in intrigue
• Cache - (n) a secret place for hiding supplies, food, etc.
• Cairn - (n) a heap of stones marking a special site
• Codicil - (n) a supplementary statement, especially as in a will
• Dissimulate - (v) to mask or confuse by false appearance
• Dissipate - (v) to cause to disappear; to scatter
• Eclectic - (adj) chosen or selected from various sources
• Ecumenical

The Roman Republic (509-27 BC)

Political Changes and Institutions

During this period, Rome became a republic. Power was divided among three main institutions:

• Comitia: Comprised of all Roman citizens, its functions were to pass laws and elect the magistrates.
• Magistrates: Elected annually, these officials held specific roles:
  • Consul: Commanded the army.
  • Praetor: Oversaw justice.
  • Censor: Maintained the list of citizens.
  • Aedile: Managed the police and public works.
  • Quaestor: Handled taxes.
  • Plebeian Tribune: Defended the rights of the plebeians.
• Senate: Composed of 300 former magistrates, its functions were to approve laws passed by the Comitia, control the magistrates, and decide on foreign policy.

Initially, only patricians held political rights. The plebeians... Continue reading "The Roman Republic and Empire: From Senate to Emperor" »

Expand your lexicon with this curated list of 40 key terms, covering nouns, verbs, adjectives, and expressions. Each entry includes the part of speech and a clear definition, ensuring accuracy and clarity.

Words 1–10: Nature and Confinement

1. Twig (n.): A small branch or stem of a tree or plant.
2. Crumpled (adj.): Crushed or wrinkled.
3. Mound (n.): A small hill, especially one that has been made.
4. Clump (n.): A group of trees or plants growing very close together.
5. Ordeal (n.): A prolonged, painful, or horrifying experience.
6. Dense (adj.): Crowded, closely packed together.
7. Ape (n.): A large, tailless primate of a group.
8. Snare (n.): A trap for catching animals.
9. Captive (adj.): Imprisoned, having no freedom.
10. Smuggle (v.): To move goods illegally into or out of

Theory of Criticism

He believes that criticism should be descriptive (tries to describe), interpretative (tries to give the meaning), and objective. A criticism that engages the text directly without personal or historical influences, trying not to add anything of your own personality.

If I form the subject, it will be subjective. So it has to form itself. The critic has not to form the judgment, but it can’t form itself. So knowing that the critic, at the end, is the one able to form the judgment, he has to do it objectively, giving the appearance that it was formed itself.

The critic should “communicate first knowledge and let his own judgment pass along with it”. He assumes it is impossible that your judgment is not yours, but don’t... Continue reading "Objective Literary Criticism: Theory, History, and Race" »

The Distinctive Title of Tristram Shandy

A Parody of Traditional Novel Titling

The title of Tristram Shandy parodies the tradition of titling novels like ‘Of Lives and Adventures’. The novel’s title, in which a romance given name is undercut by a commonplace, even comic or satirical, surname, had other kinds of precedent in recent fiction.

The Oxymoronic Nature of the Title

The title itself is an oxymoron: a rough summary, in its satirical incongruity, of the mode of writing known as anti-romance or comic romance.

Sterne's Experimental Prose and Comic Romance

Instability of 18th-Century Narrative Terminology

The instability of terminology for long fictions during Sterne’s lifetime was one symptom of the experimentalism of prose narrative during... Continue reading "Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy: Satire and Narrative Form" »