Religion of the Ancient Greek and Latin period
– Multiple Gods and Godesses- Looked down on the people from above- The Gods and Godesses are human/ people like- The Gods and Godesses interacted often- Gods and Godesses were powerful- There is only one Christian God
Religion of the Middle Age period
– God doesn’t interact directly- God should be feared, but he is also all forgiving
What are the major focuses in literature of the Middle Ages?
– Religion- focus on christianity- Church is central to all life.- No government- Everything is run by the Church- Courtly love and the feudal system- Faith- After life
What did the Middle Ages believe about fate?
– God controls fate- Man can only control his response to fate (Wyrd) – “Fate”
What did the Middle Ages believe about God?
– They believe in one God that is all powerful, but forgiving.
What are the major focuses on literature of the Renaissance?
– Mutability – passing away of all worldly things- Politics and Government – Secularism- Humanism- Classical model – “rebirth” of Greece and Rome values.
What did the Renaissance believe about fate?
– God controls fate- They can only respond to the fate God gives them.- Men create their own fate.
What did the Renaissance believe about God?
– “Great chain of being.” – belief that everything in the world has its place; God being the most important
What were the overall guiding ideas of Neoclassicism?
– Reason- Logic- Science- Judgment
What were the revitalized interests of Neoclassicism?
– Returned to classical art and literature
What was the authority of Neoclassicism?
– Supported authority by a government and a united society
What were the topics and the tone of Neoclassicism?
– Universal topics- Formal tone
What was the purpose of Neoclassicism?
– It asserted values of society
What was the scene and nature of Neoclassicism?
– Untamed nature is dangerous and evil- Needs to be controlled by society
What were the overall guiding ideas of Romanticism?
– Imagination and Emotion
What were the revitalized interests of Romanticism?
– Returned to topics of the medieval ages- Exotic suspects
What was the authority of Romanticism?
– Values of freedom from authority
What were the topics and the tone of Romanticism?
– Local topics- Informal tone
What was the purpose of Romanticism?
– Asserted values of individuals
What was the scene and nature of Romanticism?
– Untamed nature is beautiful and sabline- Creates a scene of awe.
What elements of the Victorian Era contrast greatly with other literary periods we have examined? How and Why?
– Focus on social criticism- Realistic portrayals of life- Focus on social order- Interest in the nature of women- Literature was conservative and strictly moral.- Emphasis on codes of conduct- Serial novel is the principle form of entertainment.
