MODULE 2 INTRODUCTION and BASIC CONCEPTS mmm UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE Learning Outcomes: 1.Define literature 2.Identify authors and literary works from different parts of the world
LITERATURE Literature comes from the Latin word “litera” which literally means an acquaintance with letters, the root definition of literature. It is a body of literary production, either oral, written or visual, containing imaginative language that realistically portrays thoughts, emotions, and experiences of the human condition. Literature is language in use that provides insights and intellectual stimulation to the reader. As one explores literature, he/she likewise discovers the beauty of language. . Literature is the product of a particular culture that concretizes man’s array of values, emotions, actions and ideas. It is therefore a creation of human experience that tells about people and their world. Literature is an art that reflects the works of imagination, aesthetics, and creative writing which are distinguished for the beauty of style or expression as in fiction, poetry, essay, or drama in distinction from scientific treaties and WORLD LITERATURE World literature is the totality of all national literatures. The formation of literature in different countries happened not at the same time, which is connected with the emergence of writing and artistic creativity. As a concept, world literature emerged only in the 19th century when the literary connections of different countries had spread and strengthened. The term “world literature” was introduced by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. He used the word “Weltliteratur” in 1827. Goethe studied the characteristic features and interrelationships of different national literatures, the tendencies of their development and their achievements. He studied the works of famous writers which presented different
literary phenomena of different historic periods. World literature is the cultural heritage of all humanity. It is essential to study world literature as it helps us understand
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AUTHORS AND THEIR WORKS Authors throughout history have helped capture something about their lives, their era, and the society around them. There is something in the works that captured our imagination and help us expand our knowledge. Here are some of the authors and a little something about them and the works that they created. Homer (c.8th/9th Century BCE) Homer is known for being the author of both the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey." Because of his contributions, he is often considered the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. His works have greatly influenced the history of literature as well as mythology. Virgil (70 BC-19 BC) Widely known as one of Rome’s greatest poets, Virgil had a major influence on Western literature. The Aeneid, his famous work, is modeled after Homer’s works and it tells the story of a Trojan, named Aeneas, who was adopted by the Romans. His work had such an impact that Dante used him in his Divine Comedy to guide him through hell. Dante Alighieri (1265 – 1321 CE) Dante was a writer, philosopher and political thinker, who was exiled from Florence when he wrote his most famous work, "The Divine Comedy." It has been considered the greatest literary work composed in the Italian language and a masterpiece of world literature. It's divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. "The Divine Comedy" has influenced popular depictions of hell and culture greatly. Geoffrey Chaucer (1343 – 1400)
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