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

What is a Greek Tragedy?

Greek Tragedy is a specific variation of theatre that originates from the Ancient Greeks. In a Greek Tragedy, the protagonist falls into deep and overwhelming trouble that builds through the course of the story until it ends in tragedy. Greek culture and Greek divinity are heavily involved and incorporated within the text.

• Key components are Mimesis (the imitation of human affairs) and Catharsis (the cleansing or purification of emotions).
• Catharsis: Catharsis refers to the purification and purgation of emotions—particularly pity and fear—through art or any extreme change in emotion that results in renewal and restoration.
• Mimesis: Mimesis is the imitation of life in art and literature.

The Three Classical Aristotelian

Pre-Romanticism: The Age of Sensibility

Pre-Romanticism emerged as a reaction to the limitations of Neoclassical poetry. Neoclassicism neglected essential elements of art, such as subjectivity, individualism, and imagination, favoring a merely imitative approach. As Neoclassical ideals lost their influence, a new sensibility appeared: Pre-Romanticism.

This movement manifested in four main forms:

The Sentimental Novel

Popular in the second half of the 18th century, this genre shifted focus toward the protagonist's emotions. Previously, emotional expression was considered bad taste; however, these novels emphasized sympathy for others. This shift introduced a new masculine figure: the "man of feelings," replacing the traditional "rogue." A notable... Continue reading "Pre-Romanticism: The Age of Sensibility Explained" »

Swift's Utopian Visions and Literary Influences

In the tradition of extraordinary voyages, most significant for Swift were the two posthumous works of Cyrano de Bergerac (1619-1655):

• Histoire comique des états et empires de la lune (1656)
• Histoire comique des états et empires du soleil (1657)

Cyrano de Bergerac: A Key Influence on Swift

The Society of Moon Dwellers: Cyrano's Utopia

Cyrano's lunar society is depicted as:

• A crimeless idyll with a natural abundance of food, minimal work, beautiful females, and eternal spring.
• As there is no crime, there are no lawyers.
• Physicians are unnecessary since the Lunarians live healthy lives.
• Upon death, there is no grief but a kind of rejoicing at passing into heaven.

Cyrano's Lunar Voyage and Brobdingnag Parallels

Swift... Continue reading "Jonathan Swift's Utopian Satire and Literary Roots" »

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" »

Julius Caesar: Rome's Ambitious Leader

Julius Caesar is the leader of Rome who hopes to be crowned head of the entire Roman Empire. The entire play revolves around this event and the attempts of his close friend Antony to avenge his death and restore order to Rome.

Octavius Caesar: Julius's Heir

Octavius Caesar is Julius Caesar's heir.

Mark Antony: Loyal Friend and Avenger

Mark Antony is Julius Caesar's trusted companion. After Caesar's assassination, Antony turns the crowds against the conspirators.

Marcus Brutus: The Idealistic Conspirator

Marcus Brutus is a supposed good friend of Julius Caesar. He is an idealistic man, motivated by nobility and principles rather than by personal relationships. He agrees to the plot to assassinate his friend because... Continue reading "Key Characters in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar Play" »

German-English Vocabulary List

Fashion and Appearance

• attend zugegen sein (v)
• contrast Kontrast (n)
• gorgeous umwerfend (adj)
• outfit Outfit (n)
• pale blass (adj)
• peace Frieden (n)
• peaceful friedlich (adj)
• prayer Gebet (n)
• scarf Schal (n)
• shade Schattierung (n)
• wear tragen (v)
• symbolise symbolisieren (v)
• badge Kennzeichen (n)
• decoration Verzierung (n)
• express ausdrücken (v)
• eye-catching auffällig (adj)
• face-paint Schminkmaske (n)
• hue Farbschattierung (n)
• individuality Individualität (n)
• label Label (n)
• message Botschaft (n)
• packaging Verpackung (n)
• pattern Muster (n)
• schoolboy Schuljunge (n)
• select wählen (v)
• shelf Regal (n)
• sophistication Erfahrenheit (n)
• uniform Uniform (n)

Emotions and Abstract Concepts

• anger Zorn (n)
• associate verbinden (v)
• cold kalt (adj)
• courage Mut

Geoffrey Chaucer: Civil Servant and Poet

For example, he took part in several diplomatic missions to Spain, France, and Italy. Chaucer was a hardworking civil servant who wrote poetry as a diversion.

Diplomatic Missions and Italian Renaissance Influence

The diplomatic mission that sent Chaucer to Italy was in all likelihood a milestone in his literary development. This visit brought him into direct contact with the Italian Renaissance—Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. These writers provided him with new subject matter and new modes of representation.

Major Literary Works and Sources

Boccaccio provided sources for The Canterbury Tales, and for his longest poem, Troilus and Criseyde, one of the greatest love poems in any language.

The Influence of

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" »

Accounting Concepts and Calculations

1. Income Statement

• Gross Sales: Total sales before any deductions.
• Returns: Deducted from gross sales to calculate net sales.
• Cash Discounts: Deducted from gross sales to calculate net sales.
• Net Sales: Gross sales minus returns and cash discounts.
• Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): The cost of the goods sold during the period.
• Other Expenses: Expenses not related to COGS.
• Profit Before Tax: Net sales minus COGS and other expenses.
• Tax Expense: Taxes owed on profit before tax.
• Net Income: Profit before tax minus tax expense.

2. Balance Sheet

• Accounts Receivable: Money owed to the company by customers for goods or services sold on credit.
• Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (ADA): An estimate of the amount of accounts receivable