EU History Test Review PDF

**Literature exam** **-For the Literature exam, you will be expected to answer some general questions about what you've learned about European literature in this course. There is also an individualised component. You will choose an individual reading assignment and prepare to answer questions about...

**Literature exam** **-For the Literature exam, you will be expected to answer some general questions about what you've learned about European literature in this course. There is also an individualised component. You will choose an individual reading assignment and prepare to answer questions about it.** **-Describe European literature during one of the specific periods (selected by the lecturer) you have studied in Maarten de Pourq and Sophie Levie (eds.), European Literary History and provide examples based on the texts analysed in class (which will also be made available on Brightspace). You are expected to be able to mention, among other things, the main literary works produced in Europe in that period. What are Shakespeare's main works? What makes them still relevant today? Some of Shakespeare's plays we handled in class: Can you explain how these plays handle the following themes:** **The Merchant of Venice: racism, justice, women's rights** **The Tempest: colonialism, ecology** **Julius Caesar: idealism leading to murder** **Hamlet: revenge, classical theatre** **Look Whos Back Questions** **-Here are examples of the types of questions you might get about your book on the Oral Exam: Describe the plot and the characters. Be prepared to provide details.** ** Who is the author? What is their background?** ** What makes this book relevant as an expression of contemporary European society? Describe the socio-political background of the book(s) you've read.** ** Has the book met your expectations as an expression of modern/contemporary European literature? Why?** **General Questions** **1. What does 'European Identity' mean to you and what role does it play in your own life and identify?** The people of the EU are people that value tradition and have lots of respect for their ancestors. The people of the EU value diversity and inclusion, not wanting to leave any minority behind when it comes to upward social mobility. I am not from EU so I do not identify with the EU identity but I can see how much influence America has recently had on the EU and the type of music and art that people in the EU create. **2. This course talks a bit about European Values. Do you feel that Europe really lives up to those values? Why or why not?** For the most part I think the EU does live up to values such as human dignity, freedom, and democracy because there are so many policies in place to ensure that these values are never stripped away from the people. This creates a diverse society where people from all over the continent feel comfortable interacting with each other, this is the benefit of living up to EU values **3. Explain the dilemmas that arise from trying to establish a distinct European Identity in a continent that has become increasingly multi-cultural in recent decades.** One of the biggest dilemmas I would say is language, there is a sense of connection you get when you speak with someone that has the same native language as you. Having so many different languages or even a universal language takes away from the culture you are trying to communicate in. **4. Comment on the state of European culture today. Who are the important artists, writers and filmmakers in contemporary Europe and what does their work say about how European Culture has Evolved?** The willingness to embrace unconventional forms and technology marks a new phase in Europe's cultural evolution. European culture today stands as a dynamic confluence of historical depth and modern adaptability, with its artists, writers, and filmmakers serving as mirrors to its complexities and aspirations.Contemporary European artists, writers, and filmmakers are deeply engaged with themes of identity, migration, environmental concerns, and the tension between tradition and progress. **Religion** **1. Explain how the role of religion has changed over time in at least two European countries and comment on how you see it influencing Europe -- and Europeans today.** Countries like Greece used to have a large mix of Jews and Muslims during the early 1900s, after a populiaton exchange with Turkey and WW2, many cities in the country became dominated by Christians. Before the French Revolution, Christianity was also huge in France, as it was embedded in the law, monarchy and education. After ther revolution and now today, religion is much more private matter that is not associated with the government at all **2. Explain how the division of Christianity into Catholic, Orthodox and -- later -- protestant faiths has affected European culture(s) and comment on how you the effects of these divisions today.** When Rome fell, Christianity was divided into Catholics and Orthodox. Catholics tradition helped influence monarchs and gothic architecture while Orthodoxs created their own traditions in art and liturgy. The Protestant church reform, led by Martin Luther, was formed as a protest to the overarching power of the Catholic church. Back then this caused wars and discrimination against people but today there is little to no conflict between any of these groups. Each group has either impressive architecture, traditions and holidays, or a government with an emphasis of personal faith. **3. Explain the role that anti-Semitism has played throughout Europe's history and how you can see its effects today.** Jews have never been liked in Europe, in the past they were invited to Europe to do unwanted jobs. But because jews did not follow the same banking laws as Catholics they were able to grow their businesses much quicker. This, along with other things, has created a stigma that jews are secretely controlling the world and books have been published explaining the secret plan all the jews have. The hate for jews has always been around but the violence has defintely lessened since the 19th and 20th centuries. **4. Explain the role that Islamophobia has played throughout Europe's history and how you can see its effects today.** Throughout the history of Europe, there has always been a hate for muslims especially from the catholic church. Groups of people such as the Crusades launched religious wars in the middle-east and created narratives about how they were barbarians. The expansion of the ottoman empire also saw the perception of muslims as a military threat, which in turn allowed the ottomans to justify fighting the muslims. After world war 2, many places in Europe invited muslims to come rebuild thier cities and this would also create hate for these people within certain cities. Hate Crimes, lack of media representation and discrimination have been the main challenges that muslim people still face today. Muslim Culture had a huge influence of Europe during the Middle Ages as they used science as a way to explain gods creation. **5. Explain how the philosophers of ancient Greece/Rome influenced the development of European Identity and comment on how you can see their influence on Europe -- and Europeans Today.** Philosophers such as Socrates and Plato birthed the idea of Raitonal thought, whiched helped change how people began to view the world. Democracy is also something seen throughout many countries in EU today, which was also founded by the Greeks. The Romans emphasized Stoicism which is the idea of self control, duty and resilience. These ideas have helped shape how an individual in EU feels today. Romans also incorporated diversity into their legal system. Which has later become one of the quotes for the EU "Unity in Diversity" **Visual Art** **Visuals (slides) of the art examples will be shown to each student and the students after a brief viewing will be asked to explain this art example (what it is / artist / period / movement / meaning and the place in the history of art etc). All slides will be shown during the lectures in the class** -Antiquity(2000-500BCe): Ancient Greeks developed many artforms, which was later copied by the Romans. The idea of Greek art was to strive for symmetry and proportions. - - - - - -Middle Ages (500BCE-1300CE): After the fall of Roman Empire, there is a loss of technology and skills. Christian Icons are painted much more often. Islamic culutre was very influential during this time, especially during the 8th century conquest of spain. Jewish migration into EU also introduced new art. Famous work include, - - - -The Renaissance(1300-1600): While the spirit of religion was still prominent,europe also developed in terms science and learning, which had an effect on the art being produced. Artists started telling stories and creating art that was less literal and was supposed to convey meaning or a message. - - - - - - -The Englightment: Thought to change everything, humans began to think much more freely and the printing press helped make the bible much more attainable Baroque Era(1600-1730) Development of new techniques and lighting - -Rococo (1720-1780) - -Neoclassicism(1750-1830): emphasizes a return to classical ideas that focuses on reason - -Romanticism(1700-1800): After centuries of enlightenment and industrialisation, there was a desire for something new, nature over science and emotion over logic, this transferred into art that was less realistic. - - -Modernity(19th century): Artists being inspired more to move away from realistic art and more toward emotion. - - - -Modern Art: artists now a days tend to depict specific events that have happened but add their own sense of emotion to them. - - -Photography(20th Century): Invented during the 19th century, photography became a way for people to either capture real moments or make new creations that are staged - - -Post Modern: Artists start to create art that has more humor and irony - **Music** **Composer** **Place and Period** **Style/Movement** **Significance in european history and culture** **Anciet Music before 500AD:** much of the music from this time was not written down, and only fragments of it have survived, mainly through archaeological findings, historical texts, and interpretations of ancient instruments. **Early Music: 1000-1600 Medivial Music/Reniassance Music:** fall of the western roman empire, and merges into the renaissance era. Gregorian chant, early polyphony, and secular songs dominated. Music was primarily liturgical but also had a growing secular and courtly presence. Much of the music during this period was tied to the Christian Church, which played a central role in shaping the musical landscape. **Baroque Era 1600-1750: Johann Sebastian Bach, Farinelli(Opera)** marked by castrati, opera. Baroque music emphasized contrasts, whether in dynamics (loud and soft), textures (solo vs. ensemble), or timbre (different instruments) **Classical Period(1750-1830):** Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Vivaldi,emphasis on clarity and structure, music is balanced and predictable. Elegant and clear. Music does not have any drums or little at all **Romantic/Nationalism Period(1800-1910):** Berlioz, Chopin, Liszt, Wagner, music is much more dramatic and passionate and reflects feeling and story. Wild and full of surprises. More drums are introduced **Modern Music/Industrial Revolution 1900:** Honegger, **Maurice Ravel, Charlie Chaplin,** music sounded like machines, the machines in the factories played a role into how the music was orchestrated. **1960s: The Beattles, Jane Birkin**,She became part of the post-1968 French cultural landscape, embodying the spirit of sexual liberation, artistic freedom, and a rejection of traditional norms that defined much of the era. Saw alot of singers trying to copy american blues singers and american rock and roll **1970s:** **David Bowe, Pink Floyd,** Saw a world that was scared during the cold war, nervous about what the US and Soviet Union were going to do next, start of the hippie movement where people were starting a shift in gender norms. Many anti-war protest and civil rights artists **1980s: Culture Club**, **Queen,** part of the era where people decided to start expressing themselves as they see fit. This time in europe saw much more self expression and people wanting to be accepted more for being different **1990s: Scorpions,** **Notes 11/26** -William Shakespeare(1564-1616) -Hamlet, Julius Ceasar, Macbeth, -Main comedies are The Taming of the Shrew, Midsummers Nights Dream, \- The Merchant of Venice(1596-98), about a trial in Venice, sees a jewish money lender against a ventian merchant. The Jewish Money lender wants ta pound of the merchants flesh, this play was about justice. Venice was very religious, they accpeted the presence of Jews because they were bankers that did not follow the laws of the church. Portia cannot choose her husband, she is a rich woman, her father forces the choice of her husband by tricking her. Her money will end up being the fortune of her husbands. Portia has to be disguised as a man. She was the lawyer that married Antionos best friend. -The Tempest(1610-1611), set in Italy, Prospero(Duke of Milan) and Miranda(his daughter) are forced to crash on a island due to a storm created by a natural spirit(Ariel) and prospero. The island is also home to a monster(Caliban). These are used as a symbol for nature and the fight against colonialism. Prospero and Ariel of the island cause a shipwreck for Prosperos brother Antonio. On the island, Ferdinand(one of the men from the shipwreck) falls in love with Miranda. Meanwhile, the comic duo of Stephano and Trinculo team up with the island\'s native inhabitant, Caliban, to plot against Prospero. Ariel thwarts their schemes, and Prospero orchestrates events to confront his betrayers, forgive them, and reclaim his dukedom. In the end, Prospero abandones magic, Ferdinand and Miranda are set to marry, and everyone prepares to return to Italy. This play explores the themes of power, forgiveness and redepemtion. Shakespear realized that the attitude of new colonizers has not changed, this play refers to the colonialism similar to how people started to take over America from the Indegenous. This play is his farewell to the stage, thought that he moved back home after putting this play on Modern ERA Virginia Woolf(1882-1941) -Mrs Dalloway(1925), day in the life of Clarissa Dalloway who is a wealthy girl in london, she prepares to host a party. Septimus Warren Smith is a young man who is traumitzed from the World War, he\'s a patient of the psychiatrist who is invited to the party. Septimus kills himself that day and this is spoken about at the party, the book is about the contrast between Septimus and Clarissa, how his problems are talked about at the party. The book gets into the head of Septimus, This leaves Clarissa to contemplate the fragility and the beauty of life. Putting the reader into a characters head, is one of the feats for Virginia Woolf -A Room of One's Own(1929), draws the conclusion that a women must have money and a room of her own, in order to write. She believes that women less successful than men in literature was because they are typically not independent, they rely on a man. Marcel Proust(1871-1922) -In Search of Lost time, Themes of this book include memory, homosexuality, separation anxiety and art. A deeply introspective journey through the narrator's memories, primarily triggered by sensory experiences. Key figures in his life include his first love, Gilberte Swann; his later infatuation with the enigmatic Albertine; and the intricate social circles of aristocrats like the Guermantes family. The narrative intertwines personal experiences with broader observations on the passage of time, the pursuit of meaning, and the inevitable fading of memory. **Notes 12/3**