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

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" »

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

Verb Tenses and Time Expressions

• Past Perfect: Used for actions before another past action (by the time + past simple).
• Past Continuous: Used for actions in progress (during/while).
• Present Perfect: Used for duration (since/for/how long).
• Key Structures:
  • It is + time + since + past simple.
  • Present perfect negative + for + time.
  • Subject + last + past simple + time + ago.
  • The last time + past simple + was + time + ago.
  • "He has never smoked before" becomes "This is the first time he has smoked."

Connectors and Reported Speech

Connectors

Though, despite, and in spite of + the fact that.

Reported Speech

• Tense Shifts: Past continuous becomes past perfect continuous (had been + -ing); present perfect becomes past perfect.
• Time/Pronoun Shifts: Now to then, yesterday

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" »