Instances of reading and interpretation occur many times in The Merchant of Venice.An early scene in which Shylock and Antonio bicker over the meaning of Biblical scripture shows that the all-important distinction between Jews and Christians basically boils down to interpretive differences—different ways of reading and understanding a shared heritage of texts. Among the most representative characteristics of medieval literature we can mention the following: From the antecedents of medieval literature we can cite the following: Medieval literature begins in 476 A.D. and ends with the Renaissance at the end of the 15th century. Christine de Pizan was an Italian-French late medieval author, primarily a court writer, who wrote commissioned works for aristocratic families and addressed literary debates of the era. 2. Aspects of early modern society. Psychologists were just beginning to understand that human consciousness was far more complicated and various than had pr… Discuss the time divisions of European literature; and 3. Literature is a method of recording, preserving, and transmitting knowledge and entertainment. Following her birth, her father, Thomas de Pizan, accepted an appointment to the court of Charles V of France, as the king’s astrologer, alchemist, and physician. She continued to counter abusive literary treatments of women. There are many additional definitions. The themes of the texts had moral, ethical and did… With the school of Lapo Gianni, Guido Cavalcanti, Cino da Pistoia, and Dante Alighieri, lyric poetry became exclusively Tuscan. The literature and poetry of the Renaissance was largely influenced by the developing science and philosophy. He even seemed to endorse it in some situations. Through the character of Okonkwo, a man of prominence and stature in his village community, Achebe depicts how issues of masculinity and agriculture interact with each other and affect the world of the novel. William James, brother of novelist Henry James, was a gargantuan figure in the early history of human psychology. It was characterized by generating works that were mostly by unknown authors, which covered topics related to morals and religion, chivalry stories, religious texts, among others. The impact of the Renaissance varied across the continent; countries that were predominantly Catholic or predominantly Protestant experienced the Renaissance differently. Along with the Yoruba culture, Wole Soyinka also advocates the theme of liberation in his works. 4. In this way, Humbert seduceshis reader… Literature broadly is any collection of written work, but it is also used more narrowly for writings specifically considered to be an art form, especially prose fiction, drama, and poetry. From everyday life, perception and time to the kaleidoscopic and fractured nature of modern life, discover the ways in which these writers created and captured the modern. Additionally, The Treasure of the City of Ladies provides glimpses into women’s lives in 1400, from the great lady in the castle down to the merchant’s wife, the servant, and the peasant. He was also the author of biographies in Italian of Dante and Petrarch. Political and social causes became dominant themes in romantic poetry and prose throughout France and other parts of Europe, producing many vital human documents that are still pertinent. Christine de Pizan was an Italian-French late medieval author who wrote about the positive contributions of women to European history and court life. Dominant theme definition: A theme in a piece of writing, a talk , or a discussion is an important idea or subject... | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples The various tales of love in The Decameron range from the erotic to the tragic. For example, Rousseau viewed Machiavelli’s work as a satirical piece in which Machiavelli exposes the faults of one-man rule rather than exalting amorality. One of Bruni’s most famous works is New Cicero, a biography of the Roman statesman Cicero. Many of the Arabian Nights stories tell of men who rise from poverty to wealth and prosperity. Major and minor themes are two types of themes that appear in literary works. It was also in direct conflict with the dominant Catholic and scholastic doctrines of the time concerning politics and ethics. She wrote both poetry and prose works such as biographies and books containing practical advice for women. Christine de Pizan: A painting of Christine de Pizan, considered by some scholars to be a proto-feminist, lecturing four men. The period focused on self-actualization and one’s ability to accept what is going on in one’s life. The first part in writing a theme based essay is to identify the theme(s) in the literary piece of work you are thinking writing about. Examples of theme in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” are matrimony, love, friendship, and affection. The Prince is sometimes claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy, especially modern political philosophy, in which the effective truth is taken to be more important than any abstract ideal. Among the most representative characteristics of medieval literaturewe can mention the following: 1. She successfully educated herself by immersing herself in languages, in the rediscovered classics and Humanism of the early Renaissance, and in Charles V’s royal archive, which housed a vast number of manuscripts. An essay or paper on Feminist Themes in Literature. Nation-states and dynastic rivalries. 15 Common Themes in Film and Literature . Theme definition is - a subject or topic of discourse or of artistic representation. By 1405, Christine had completed her most famous literary works, The Book of the City of Ladies and The Treasure of the City of Ladies. Discussions between Boccaccio and Petrarch were instrumental in Boccaccio writing the Genealogia deorum gentilium; the first edition was completed in 1360 and it remained one of the key reference works on classical mythology for over 400 years. Identify the key contributions made by Dante, Boccaccio, and Bruni. Although the split was along family lines at first, ideological differences arose based on opposing views of the papal role in Florentine affairs, with the Blacks supporting the pope and the Whites wanting more freedom from Rome. The Roman-Germanic kingdoms are supported by, The figure of the warrior was replaced by that of the. Dante’s significance also extends past his home country; his depictions of Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven have provided inspiration for a large body of Western art, and are cited as an influence on the works of John Milton, Geoffrey Chaucer, and Lord Alfred Tennyson, among many others. Analyze Machiavelli’s impact during his own lifetime and in the modern day. Contemporary writers often consciously draw inspiration and ideas from the writers who have come before them. Leonardo Bruni (c. 1370–March 9, 1444) was an Italian Humanist, historian, and statesman, often recognized as the most important Humanist historian of the early Renaissance. On the other hand, many commentators, such as Baruch Spinoza, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Denis Diderot, have argued that Machiavelli was actually a republican, even when writing The Prince, and his writings were an inspiration to Enlightenment proponents of modern democratic political philosophy. ... an influential figure in the establishment of the belles-lettres compendia (adab) as a dominant literary theme. 3. African-American literature starts with narratives by slaves in the pre-revolutionary period focused on freedom and abolition of slavery. Literature in the Philippines evolved as part of the country's changing history. From everyday life, perception and time to the kaleidoscopic and fractured nature of modern life, discover the ways in which these writers created and captured the modern. In the late Middle Ages, the overwhelming majority of poetry was written in Latin, and therefore was accessible only to affluent and educated audiences. The dates Bruni used to define the periods are not exactly what modern historians use today, but he laid the conceptual groundwork for a tripartite division of history. The whole narrative revolves around the major theme of matrimony. Let's delve back into history and see what we can learn about its many forms and purposes. Remember that some books have multiple themes. 4. Areas where the Orthodox Church was culturally dominant, as well as those areas of Europe under Islamic rule, were more or less outside its influence. Machiavelli’s best-known book, The Prince, contains several maxims concerning politics. Capitalism – effect on the individual 3. It served as an extended defense for the studies of ancient literature and thought. Judgment: Possibly one of the most common themes is judgment. He also wrote comedies, carnival songs, and poetry. In the territories of the Spanish and Portuguese empires including the Iberian Peninsula it continued, together with new styles, until the first decade of the 1800s. Growth of banking and finance. See more. It was initially written in Latin and later in the national languages of some countries. African literature - African literature - The influence of oral traditions on modern writers: Themes in the literary traditions of contemporary Africa are worked out frequently within the strictures laid down by the imported religions Christianity and Islam and within the struggle between traditional and modern, between rural and newly urban, between genders, and between generations. Not sure where to start? African literature means different things to different people. The development of medieval literature takes place in Europe, starting with the fall of the Roman Empire and ending with the arrival of the Renaissance. Up until about twenty-five years before the Revolutionary War began, the reading material for Liberation in literature challenges people, community and the continent to identify the positive elements in their heritage and inspires them to find solutions to their problems. At the completion of this topic, the students must be able to: 1. His major work was The Decameron, a collection of 100 stories told by ten storytellers who have fled to the outskirts of Florence to escape the black plague over ten nights. Reformation and Counter-Reformation. Others regard it as a political document, characterized by the protest against colonialism's downgrading of the blacks. In the 13th century, Italian authors began writing in their native vernacular language rather than in Latin, French, or Provençal. Romanticism was the dominant attitude in the early 19th century American literature. Leone Battista Alberti, the learned Greek and Latin scholar, wrote in the vernacular, and Vespasiano da Bisticci, while he was constantly absorbed in Greek and Latin manuscripts, wrote the Vite di uomini illustri, valuable for their historical contents and rivaling the best works of the 14th century in their candor and simplicity. The literature of the Renaissance was written within the general movement of the Renaissance that arose in 13th century Italy and continued until the 16th century while being diffused into the western world. Tales of wit, practical jokes, and life lessons contribute to the mosaic. She argued that rhetoric is a powerful tool that women could employ to settle differences and to assert themselves. From Italy the influence of the Renaissance spread across Europe; the scholarly writings of Erasmus and the plays of Shakespeare can be considered Renaissance in character. Portrait of Niccolò Machiavelli: Machiavelli is a political philosopher infamous for his justification of violence in his treatise The Prince. For some it is simply an appendage to English and French literature. Literary Periods: A brief overview is located below:. The revival of classical antiquity became a foundation of the Renaissance, and his defense of the importance of ancient literature was an essential requirement for its development. The global history of literature from the ancient Near East to the present can be divided into five main, overlapping stages. She served as a court writer for several dukes (Louis of Orleans, Philip the Bold of Burgundy, and John the Fearless of Burgundy) and the French royal court during the reign of Charles VI. Further, he believed that force may be used to eliminate political rivals, to coerce resistant populations, and to purge the community of other men of strong enough character to rule, who will inevitably attempt to replace the ruler. She married in 1380 at the age of fifteen, and was widowed ten years later. In order to support herself and her family, Christine turned to writing. The Humanist Francesco Petrarch, a key figure in the renewed sense of scholarship, was also an accomplished poet, publishing several important works of poetry. Even though the genre is defined by its audience, children and adults alike enjoy stories intended for children. Much of the impetus for her writing came from her need to earn a living to support her mother, a niece, and her two surviving children. The following links, organized by literary period, are to the library's catalog for works by author, title, literary movement, type of work, etc. Psychologists were just beginning to understand that human consciousness was far more complicated and various than had pr… Communication – verbal and nonverbal 10. As a result, a ruler must be concerned not only with reputation, but also must be positively willing to act immorally at the right times. For some it is simply an appendage to English and French literature. The whole novelty and poetic power of this school consisted in, according to Dante, Quando Amore spira, noto, ed a quel niodo Ch’ei detta dentro, vo significando—that is, in a power of expressing the feelings of the soul in the way in which love inspires them, in an appropriate and graceful manner, fitting form to matter, and by art fusing one with the other. The book itself gained notoriety when some readers claimed that the author was teaching evil, and providing “evil recommendations to tyrants to help them maintain their power.” The term ” Machiavellian ” is often associated with political deceit, deviousness, and realpolitik. Circle of life 8. Bruni’s most notable work is Historiarum Florentini populi libri XII (History of the Florentine People, 12 Books), which has been called the first modern history book. He was the earliest person to write using the three-period view of history: Antiquity, Middle Ages, and Modern. A theme in a piece of writing, a talk, or a discussion is an important idea or subject that runs through it. Machiavelli suggests that the social benefits of stability and security can be achieved in the face of moral corruption. She argued that these terms denigrated the proper and natural function of sexuality, and that such language was inappropriate for female characters such as Madam Reason. Discovery of the New World. Romanticism was the dominant attitude in the early 19th century American literature. Portrait of Dante: Dante Alighieri was a major Italian poet of the Late Middle Ages who influenced and set the precedent for Renaissance literature. Christine’s participation in a literary debate, in 1401–1402, allowed her to move beyond the courtly circles, and ultimately to establish her status as a writer concerned with the position of women in society. One can imagine that their conversations proved highly influential in Henrys creative development. A dominant narrative is an explanation or story that is told in service of the dominant social group’s interests and ideologies. His personal correspondence is renowned in the Italian language. Niccolò Machiavelli (May 3, 1469–June 21, 1527) was an Italian Renaissance historian, politician, diplomat, philosopher, Humanist, and writer. Others see the contradiction as a symbol of the eternal conflict between African and English identities. The state of European politics. The place where literature developed was the European continent. In these books, a character is judged for being different or doing wrong, whether the infraction is real or just perceived as wrongdoing by others. Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe’s classic 1958 novel of Africa just before colonialism, tells the story of a world about to undergo a radical change. For the writers of the Renaissance, Greco-Roman inspiration was shown both in the themes of their writing and in the literary forms they used. It fostered as well a practical, secular piety that left its impress everywhere on Elizabethan writing. Through the character of Okonkwo, a man of prominence and stature in his village community, Achebe depicts how issues of masculinity and agriculture interact with each other and affect the world of the novel. Renaissance literature refers to European literature that was influenced by the intellectual and cultural tendencies of the Renaissance. “Machiavellianism” is a widely used negative term to characterize unscrupulous politicians of the sort Machiavelli described most famously in The Prince. Prior to the Renaissance, the Italian language was not the literary language in Italy. European Literature 1. The period following the Civil War until 1919 is dubbed the Reconstruction period. Dominant Narrative Discussion Guide. The world was considered from an anthropocentric perspective. As a Humanist Bruni was essential in translating into Latin many works of Greek philosophy and history, such as those by Aristotle and Procopius. Christine’s participation in a literary debate about Jean de Meun’s. He asserted that violence may be necessary for the successful stabilization of power and introduction of new legal institutions. Much of the impetus for her writing came from her need to earn a living to support her mother, a niece, and her two surviving children after being widowed at the age of 25. Capturing and creating the modern. He fought in the Battle of Campaldino (June 11, 1289) with the Florentine Guelphs against the Arezzo Ghibellines. The Baroque (UK: / b ə ˈ r ɒ k /, US: / b ə ˈ r oʊ k /; French: ) is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1740s. The 13th and 14th century Italian literary revolution helped set the stage for the Renaissance. Examples of theme in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” are matrimony, love, friendship, and affection. This philosophy tended to be republican, more in the original spirit of Machiavellianism, but as with the Catholic authors, Machiavelli’s realism and encouragement of using innovation to try to control one’s own fortune were more accepted than his emphasis upon war and politics. Others see the contradiction as a symbol of the eternal conflict between African and English identities. The different literary periods in Philippine literature include the pre-colonial period, the Spanish colonial era, the American colonial era and the contemporary period. 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