World Lit I Midterm Study

Myth – A traditional story explaining cultural values and natural events.

Polytheism – The belief in multiple gods (The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Aeneid).

Monotheism – The belief in one god (Referenced in Sunjata through Islamic influence).

Epic – A long narrative poem about a hero’s journey.

Epic Hero – A protagonist with extraordinary abilities facing great challenges.

Divinity – The nature of the gods and their influence on human affairs.

Fate – The predetermined course of events (The Aeneid emphasizes this through Roman destiny).

Invocation – A plea to a muse or deity for inspiration (common in The Aeneid).

Piety – Religious devotion and duty (The Aeneid and Roman Stoicism).

Stoicism – The philosophy of enduring hardship without complaint.

Dystopia – A society characterized by suffering or oppression.

Apocalypse – A catastrophic event or revelation.

Prologue – An introduction to a story, often setting the stage for the themes.

Heroic Journey – Be familiar with Joseph Campbell’s stages.

Christianity – A monotheistic religion influencing many literary traditions.

Islam – A key religion in Sunjata and West African oral tradition.

Griots – West African storytellers who preserve history and culture.

Collective Memory – The shared pool of knowledge and cultural heritage passed through generations.

Mesopotamia – The Epic of Gilgamesh

Rome – The Aeneid

West Africa/Mali – Sunjata