INTRODUCTION TO WORLD AND GREEK LITERATURE

WORLD LITERATURE

○ The collection of literary works

that are globally recognized,

transcending national boundaries

and cultural barriers.

○ It encompasses writings from

various countries, cultures, and

time periods, reflecting the diversity

of human experiences and ideas.

○ Explores universal themes and

concerns that resonate with people

across different societies.

○ is a rich tapestry of literary works

from diverse cultures and regions

that transcend borders and time

periods. It serves as a powerful

medium for understanding the

shared human experience and

celebrating the beauty of cultural

differences.

DIVERSE ORIGINS
CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE

THEMES AND UNIVERSAL MESSAGES

LITERARY MASTERPIECES

INFLUENCE AND ADAPTATIONS

CHALLENGES AND CONTROVERSIES

GLOBAL LITERARY CANON

7 KEY ASPECTS OF WORLD LITERATURE

DIVERSE ORIGINS

○ Includes literary works from all parts

of the globe, written in various

languages, and representing

diverse cultures and societies.

○ It encompasses ancient epics like

"The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" from

Greece, "The Ramayana" and

"Mahabharata" from India, and "The

Epic of Gilgamesh" from

Mesopotamia, to modern novels,

plays, and poetry from different

regions.

CROSS-CULTURAL EXCHANGE

○ Emerges from the exchange of

ideas, stories, and themes across

different societies.

○ It often involves translations and

adaptations that enable works to

reach a broader audience beyond

their original language and cultural

context.

THEMES AND UNIVERSAL MESSAGES

○ Explores themes and issues that are

relevant to human experiences

across time and place.

○ Love, loss, identity, justice,

power, and conflict are some

recurring themes that resonate with

readers worldwide.

LITERARY MASTERPIECES

○ Many world literary works are

considered masterpieces for their

enduring influence, artistic

excellence, and impact on global

culture.

○ Examples include Shakespeare's

plays, such as "Hamlet" and "Romeo

and Juliet," Leo Tolstoy's "War and

Peace," Gabriel Garcia Marquez's

"One Hundred Years of Solitude,"

and Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall

Apart."

INFLUENCE AND ADAPTATIONS

○ World literature has inspired

countless adaptations,

interpretations, and retellings in

various art forms, including theater,

film, music, and visual arts.

These adaptations often reinterpret

the original works to suit different

cultural contexts or contemporary

themes.

CHALLENGES AND CONTROVERSIES

While world literature promotes

intercultural exchange, it can also

face challenges related to

translation, cultural context, and

interpretation.

○ Some works may be misinterpreted

or misappropriated, leading to

controversies and debates.

GLOBAL LITERARY CANON

○ Over time, certain literary works

have been included in the global

literary canon, representing the

most significant and influential

pieces in world literature.

○ These works are often taught in

educational institutions and continue to shape literary

discourse and critical analysis.

GREEK LITERATURE

○ Is a vast and influential body of

work that spans over millennia,

dating back to ancient times.

○ It has played a crucial role in

shaping Western literature and

thought.

○ Greek literature can be divided into

several distinct periods, each

characterized by its own unique style

and themes

ILIAD AND ODYSSEY

2 EPIC POETRY

EPIC POEMS

○ are among the earliest surviving

works of Greek literature.

○ Homer, traditionally considered the

greatest ancient Greek poet, is

credited with composing two

monumental epics

ILIAD

○ Set during the Trojan War

○ It focuses on the rage of Achilles

and the complexities of human

emotions in the midst of war.

ODYSSEY

○ The epic follows the adventures of

Odysseus as he tries to return

home after the Trojan War, facing

various challenges and mythical

creatures.

ANCIENT GREECE

○ a civilization that made significant

contributions to various fields,

○ its influence can still be seen in

modern society.

○ Some of the most important features

of ancient Greece include:

DEMOCRACY

○ Ancient Greece is often credited with

being one of the first civilizations

to develop democratic principles.

○ In Athens, citizens had the

opportunity to participate in the

decision-making process through

the Assembly and other democratic

institutions

PHILOSOPHY

○ Ancient Greek philosophers such as

Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid

the groundwork for Western

philosophical thought.

○ Their ideas on ethics, politics,

metaphysics, and epistemology

continue to influence

philosophical discussions to this

day.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE

○ Greek art and architecture were

characterized by a focus on

symmetry, proportion, and

harmony.

○ The ancient Greeks created iconic

structures like the Parthenon and

developed sculptural techniques

that remain influential in art to this

day.

MATHEMATICS

○ Ancient Greeks made significant

advancements in mathematics,

laying the foundation for later

developments in the field.

○ Mathematicians like Pythagoras

and Euclid contributed to

geometry, while Archimedes made

important discoveries in calculus

and mechanics.

OLYMPICS

○ The ancient Olympic Games, held in

Olympia, were a celebration of

physical prowess and served as a

way to foster unity among Greek

city-states.

○ The Olympics were held for

centuries and inspired the

modern Olympic Games we have

today.

MYTHOLOGY

○ Greek mythology has been an

enduring aspect of cultural

heritage.

○ The stories of gods, goddesses, and

heroic figures continue to captivate

and influence art, literature, and

popular culture.

THEATERS AND PERFORMANCES

The ancient Greeks established the

concept of theater and drama.

They performed plays during

festivals, and theater became a

significant part of their cultural

and social life.

GREEK DRAMA AND POETRY

○ two significant forms of literary

expression in ancient Greek

culture.

○ Both have played a crucial role in

shaping the development of

literature and performance arts in

Western civilization.

GREEK DRAMA

○ Originated in the 5th century BCE

and was a form of theatrical

performance that combined

elements of storytelling, acting,

music, and dance.

○ It was performed during religious

festivals, particularly in honor of the

god Dionysus, the god of wine and

fertility.

○ There were two main types of Greek

drama:

■ Tragedy

■ Comedy

LYRIC POETRY

○ form of poetry that expresses

personal emotions, thoughts, and

feelings of the poet.

○ The term "lyric" is derived from

"lyre," emphasizing the connection

between the musical

accompaniment and the poetic

expression.

GREEK LYRIC POETRY

○ known for its use of various poetic

forms, such as odes, elegies,

hymns, and epigrams.

○ The poems were often intended to

be performed in public gatherings,

including religious festivals and

banquets.

GREEK GODS AND GODDESSES

○ The Twelve Olympian deities were

the principal gods and goddesses

in ancient Greek mythology. They

resided on Mount Olympus, the

highest mountain in Greece. Each

god and goddess held a specific

domain and played a significant

role in the lives of the ancient

Greeks.

○ These twelve Olympian deities were

the most revered and worshiped

gods in ancient Greek religion

and mythology. They continue to

be celebrated in various forms in

modern culture, art, and literature.

ZEUS

○ DOMAIN: King of gods, god of the

sky and Thunder

○ SYMBOL: Thunderbolt, eagle, oak

tree

○ ROLE: ruler of Mount Olympus and

the god of the sky, weather, and

thunderstorms; supreme deity,

presiding over the gods and mortals;

with justice and law.

HERA

○ DOMAIN: Queen of the gods,

goddess of marriage and family

○ SYMBOL: Peacock, pomegranate

○ ROLE: wife and sister of Zeus;

protects married women

POSEIDON

○ DOMAIN: god of the sea,

earthquakes, and horses

○ SYMBOL: Trident, horse, dolphin

○ ROLE: ruled over the seas and was

responsible for earthquakes; often

depicted carrying a trident (to create

earthquakes or stir up storms)

DEMETER

○ DOMAIN: goddess of agriculture

and fertility

○ SYMBOL: Sheaf of wheat, torch,

cornucopia

○ ROLE: responsible for the growth of

crops and the fertility of earth;

played a crucial role in the changing

seasons