world literature

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Questions and Answers

What is the epic poem Gilgamesh considered to be?

An ancient religious text

A modern fictional story

The first great heroic narrative of world literature (correct)

A short poem about love and nature

In what form were tablets containing portions of Gilgamesh found?

In Latin script on parchment

In cuneiform characters on clay stone (correct)

In hieroglyphs on papyrus

In Greek script on marble

Where was the version of Gilgamesh discovered that is widely circulated throughout the ancient Middle East?

In the city of Nineveh amid the ruins of the great library of Assurbanipal (correct)

In the city of Athens in Greece

In the city of Thebes in Egypt

In the city of Babylon near the Ishtar Gate

For how long did the epic poem Gilgamesh develop?

Over a period of nearly a thousand years Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered to be the last king of the Assyrian Empire?

Assurbanipal Signup and view all the answers

Where have tablets containing portions of Gilgamesh been found?

At sites throughout the Middle East Signup and view all the answers

What literary form takes its name from the Arabic word for ‘four’?

Rubai Signup and view all the answers

Which Indian sacred text speculates about the origin and nature of the universe?

The Rig-veda Signup and view all the answers

What is the world’s longest epic?

The Mahabharata Signup and view all the answers

Which collection of folktales aims to teach about political matters and interpersonal relationships in ancient India?

The Panchatantra Signup and view all the answers

Who is the most beloved poet in Indian plays?

Kalidasa Signup and view all the answers

What is the earliest known Chinese literary collection believed to date from around 1000 B.C.?

The Book of Songs Signup and view all the answers

Which Chinese literary genre begins with lyric poetry?

Lyric poetry Signup and view all the answers

'The Rubaiyat' is attributed to which well-known Islamic poet?

Omar Khayyam Signup and view all the answers

'The Loyal Mongoose' is a story from which collection of folktales and animal fables in Indian literature?

'The Panchatantra' Signup and view all the answers

'Sakuntala' by Kalidasa is rooted in the values of which civilization?

'India’s classical civilization' Signup and view all the answers

Which Indian religion claims the Vedas as the source of all truth and the basis of its religious beliefs?

Hinduism Signup and view all the answers

Which literary form consists of 305 songs representing the heritage of the Chou people?

Classic Poetry (Book of Songs) Signup and view all the answers

What is the proportion of Gilgamesh's divine and human attributes?

2/3 divine and 1/3 human Signup and view all the answers

Why were Enkidu created by the Sumerian gods?

To become a rival to Gilgamesh Signup and view all the answers

What event leads Gilgamesh to embark on a quest for everlasting life?

The death of Enkidu Signup and view all the answers

Which ancient culture possessed a rich variety of poetry, including narratives, incantations, and devotional poems?

Ancient Egypt Signup and view all the answers

During which period did the largest and earliest group of ancient Egyptian poems come from?

Old Kingdom Signup and view all the answers

What type of poetry emerged in the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt?

Pastoral poetry Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important example of Hebrew literature?

The Old Testament Signup and view all the answers

"The Acts of the Apostles" is an account of whose missionary journeys?

"Paul's Signup and view all the answers

"The Thousand and One Nights" collection puts together tales into one long narrative. What is one of the simplest and oldest tales in this collection?

"The Fisherman and the Jinnee" Signup and view all the answers

"The Shah-nama" is considered a national treasure in which country?

"Iran" Signup and view all the answers

What are the most important themes that unify the Bible?

Power, goodness, mercy, covenant Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the famous English version of the Bible called King James Version?

King James I Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the Nō theatre as described in the passage?

The absence of stagecraft and minimal props Signup and view all the answers

What form of drama involves the use of puppets in its performance?

Joruri (Bunraku) Signup and view all the answers

Which literary works are attributed to the poet Homer?

The Iliad and The Odyssey Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary subject of The Iliad?

The events in the Trojan War Signup and view all the answers

In which century did Greek drama reach its peak in Athens?

5th century B.C. Signup and view all the answers

Which playwright wrote the trilogy of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone?

Sophocles Signup and view all the answers

'Tragedies dealt with universal issues and indirectly with contemporary politics, but the plots were taken from the same cycle of legends found in the Homeric epics.' This statement refers to:

Greek tragedies Signup and view all the answers

'The Romans as well as the Greeks venerated the Homeric epics, the most ancient texts of Greek literature.' This statement refers to:

'The Aeneid' by Virgil Signup and view all the answers

'The knowledge Oedipus relentlessly seeks causes his downfall.' This statement refers to:

'Oedipus Rex' by Sophocles Signup and view all the answers

'The gods interfere to some extent, but they never direct the plot or the characters’ actions.' This statement refers to:

'Oedipus Rex' by Sophocles Signup and view all the answers

'Themes such as war, incest, and murder were treated seriously.' This statement refers to:

'Oedipus Rex' by Sophocles Signup and view all the answers

'Greek drama reached its peak in the 5th century Athens.' This statement is supported by which information in the passage?

'Greek drama reached its peak in the 5th century Athens.' Signup and view all the answers

What literary form is The Song of Roland an example of?

Epic poetry Signup and view all the answers

Who is the central figure in The Divine Comedy by Dante?

Dante Signup and view all the answers

Which poet was well-versed in Italian and Latin, and wrote lyric poems dedicated to Laura?

Petrarch Signup and view all the answers

In which work would you find the line: 'To be, or not to be: that is the question'?

Hamlet Signup and view all the answers

What is a key element used by Petrarch in his poems?

Allegory Signup and view all the answers

In which literary genre does The Decameron by Boccaccio belong?

Novella Signup and view all the answers

Which writer is known for the sonnet 'When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes'?

Shakespeare Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of The Nibelungenlied?

Love and revenge Signup and view all the answers

Who wrote the collection of stories known as The Canterbury Tales?

Chaucer Signup and view all the answers

Which poet wrote about the adventure of a man struggling to reconcile himself to a bitter political exile through the triumph of love?

Dante Signup and view all the answers

What literary genre does The Divine Comedy by Dante belong to?

Epic poetry Signup and view all the answers

Who is the central figure in The Song of Roland?

Charlemagne Signup and view all the answers

What is the central virtue emphasized in Tao Te Ching?

Humility Signup and view all the answers

Which Japanese poetic form emphasizes precision, simplicity, and suggestiveness?

Haiku Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary virtue highlighted in The Analects of Confucius?

Respect Signup and view all the answers

In what way do Tanka poets generally exhibit restraint?

Evoking emotional response through imagery Signup and view all the answers

What is the main theme of The Book of Songs mentioned in the text?

Romantic love Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the Nō theatre as described in the passage?

"Grave and stylized" Signup and view all the answers

What is the main subject of choka, a Japanese poetic form mentioned in the text?

Love Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'wisdom comes in fragments and fractions' imply from The Analects?

"Wisdom is incomplete" Signup and view all the answers

What was the earliest usage of haiku in Japanese poetry?

Opening verse of a renga Signup and view all the answers

What are the leading themes revolving around Tao in Tao Te Ching?

Unnameable and small means Signup and view all the answers

What virtue is emphasized in the tanka poetic form?

Simplicity Signup and view all the answers

What is the central value embodied in the poems of the Book of Songs?

Timely action Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Epic Poem Gilgamesh

Considered one of the earliest surviving works of literature
Found on tablets in the form of cuneiform script
The version widely circulated throughout the ancient Middle East was discovered in Nineveh
Developed over a period of 1,500 years
Tablets containing portions of Gilgamesh have been found in Babylon, Uruk, and Nineveh

Literary Forms and Collections

Masnavi takes its name from the Arabic word for 'four'
The Rigveda is an Indian sacred text that speculates about the origin and nature of the universe
The Mahabharata is the world's longest epic
The Panchatantra is a collection of folktales that aim to teach about political matters and interpersonal relationships in ancient India
Kalidasa is considered the most beloved poet in Indian plays
The Shi Jing is the earliest known Chinese literary collection, believed to date from around 1000 B.C.
The Shi Jing begins with lyric poetry

Authors and Works

'The Rubaiyat' is attributed to the well-known Islamic poet Omar Khayyam
'The Loyal Mongoose' is a story from the Panchatantra collection of folktales and animal fables in Indian literature
'Sakuntala' by Kalidasa is rooted in the values of Hindu civilization
The Vedas are considered the source of all truth and the basis of Hindu religious beliefs

Poetry and Drama

The Shi Jing consists of 305 songs representing the heritage of the Chou people
The ancient Sumerians possessed a rich variety of poetry, including narratives, incantations, and devotional poems
The largest and earliest group of ancient Egyptian poems came from the Old Kingdom period
In the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt, a type of poetry called 'love poetry' emerged
The primary characteristic of the Nō theatre is the use of masks and dramatic gestures
Bunraku is a form of drama that involves the use of puppets in its performance

The Bible and Homer

The most important example of Hebrew literature is the Bible
'The Acts of the Apostles' is an account of the missionary journeys of Paul
The King James Version of the Bible was written by a committee of scholars
The primary subject of The Iliad is the Trojan War
Homer is attributed to the epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey
Greek drama reached its peak in the 5th century in Athens

Other Literary Works

The Divine Comedy by Dante is an example of a literary work in the epic genre
Petrarch wrote lyric poems dedicated to Laura
The Decameron by Boccaccio is an example of a frame story
Shakespeare wrote the famous line 'To be, or not to be: that is the question'
The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer is a collection of stories
The Nibelungenlied is a medieval German epic poem that deals with themes of heroism and tragedy

Studying That Suits You

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Description

Explore the central values and themes embodied in the poems from the Book of Songs, which originated as folk songs and were mixed with poems from the Chou aristocracy. Delve into the fascination with timely action, the need to speak out, balances and exchanges, and acts of explanation portrayed in the poems.

world literature

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Questions and Answers

What is the epic poem Gilgamesh considered to be?

In what form were tablets containing portions of Gilgamesh found?

Where was the version of Gilgamesh discovered that is widely circulated throughout the ancient Middle East?

For how long did the epic poem Gilgamesh develop?

Who is considered to be the last king of the Assyrian Empire?

Where have tablets containing portions of Gilgamesh been found?

What literary form takes its name from the Arabic word for ‘four’?

Which Indian sacred text speculates about the origin and nature of the universe?

What is the world’s longest epic?

Which collection of folktales aims to teach about political matters and interpersonal relationships in ancient India?

Who is the most beloved poet in Indian plays?

What is the earliest known Chinese literary collection believed to date from around 1000 B.C.?

Which Chinese literary genre begins with lyric poetry?

'The Rubaiyat' is attributed to which well-known Islamic poet?

'The Loyal Mongoose' is a story from which collection of folktales and animal fables in Indian literature?

'Sakuntala' by Kalidasa is rooted in the values of which civilization?

Which Indian religion claims the Vedas as the source of all truth and the basis of its religious beliefs?

Which literary form consists of 305 songs representing the heritage of the Chou people?

What is the proportion of Gilgamesh's divine and human attributes?

Why were Enkidu created by the Sumerian gods?

What event leads Gilgamesh to embark on a quest for everlasting life?

Which ancient culture possessed a rich variety of poetry, including narratives, incantations, and devotional poems?

During which period did the largest and earliest group of ancient Egyptian poems come from?

What type of poetry emerged in the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt?

What is the most important example of Hebrew literature?

"The Acts of the Apostles" is an account of whose missionary journeys?

"The Thousand and One Nights" collection puts together tales into one long narrative. What is one of the simplest and oldest tales in this collection?

"The Shah-nama" is considered a national treasure in which country?

What are the most important themes that unify the Bible?

Who wrote the famous English version of the Bible called King James Version?

What is the primary characteristic of the Nō theatre as described in the passage?

What form of drama involves the use of puppets in its performance?

Which literary works are attributed to the poet Homer?

What is the primary subject of The Iliad?

In which century did Greek drama reach its peak in Athens?

Which playwright wrote the trilogy of Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone?

'Tragedies dealt with universal issues and indirectly with contemporary politics, but the plots were taken from the same cycle of legends found in the Homeric epics.' This statement refers to:

'The Romans as well as the Greeks venerated the Homeric epics, the most ancient texts of Greek literature.' This statement refers to:

'The knowledge Oedipus relentlessly seeks causes his downfall.' This statement refers to:

'The gods interfere to some extent, but they never direct the plot or the characters’ actions.' This statement refers to:

'Themes such as war, incest, and murder were treated seriously.' This statement refers to:

'Greek drama reached its peak in the 5th century Athens.' This statement is supported by which information in the passage?

What literary form is The Song of Roland an example of?

Who is the central figure in The Divine Comedy by Dante?

Which poet was well-versed in Italian and Latin, and wrote lyric poems dedicated to Laura?

In which work would you find the line: 'To be, or not to be: that is the question'?

What is a key element used by Petrarch in his poems?

In which literary genre does The Decameron by Boccaccio belong?

Which writer is known for the sonnet 'When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes'?

What is the main theme of The Nibelungenlied?

Who wrote the collection of stories known as The Canterbury Tales?

Which poet wrote about the adventure of a man struggling to reconcile himself to a bitter political exile through the triumph of love?

What literary genre does The Divine Comedy by Dante belong to?

Who is the central figure in The Song of Roland?

What is the central virtue emphasized in Tao Te Ching?

Which Japanese poetic form emphasizes precision, simplicity, and suggestiveness?

What is the primary virtue highlighted in The Analects of Confucius?

In what way do Tanka poets generally exhibit restraint?

What is the main theme of The Book of Songs mentioned in the text?

What is the primary characteristic of the Nō theatre as described in the passage?

What is the main subject of choka, a Japanese poetic form mentioned in the text?

What does the phrase 'wisdom comes in fragments and fractions' imply from The Analects?

What was the earliest usage of haiku in Japanese poetry?

What are the leading themes revolving around Tao in Tao Te Ching?

What virtue is emphasized in the tanka poetic form?

What is the central value embodied in the poems of the Book of Songs?

Study Notes

Epic Poem Gilgamesh

Literary Forms and Collections

Authors and Works

Poetry and Drama

The Bible and Homer

Other Literary Works

Studying That Suits You

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