World Literature Issues - Essay Example

World Literature Part I Answers Match the terms in Column I with the s in ColumnII. parable - B. a story that teaches a moral or religious lesson about life theme - D. a story’s central insight about life tone - F. the writer’s attitude toward the subject speaker of a poem - G. the voice talking to readers foreshadowing - E. a hint about what may happen later flashback - A. a scene that interrupts the present action of the plot to tell what happened at an earlier time imagery - H. language that appeals to the senses archetype - C. a model repeated across time and cultures (2) Which of the following is true of Zen parables? Zen parables are deceptively simple and contain profound truths. (3) Which of the following sentences is an example of hyperbole? “Until now I was a stranger to this tale, / As I had been a stranger to the crime.” (4) “If you suppose a sleep undisturbed even by dreams, then death will be an unspeakable dream” is an example of – personification (5) Which of the following items does not involve a conflict? watching a favorite movie (6) Dramatic irony exists in all of the following writings EXCEPT Taoist writing. (7) By definition, an internal conflict takes place – in the mind (8) What are the Vedas? hymns and other texts important to Aryan culture (9) According to Buddhism, what is the primary cause of suffering? desire for earthly goods (10) Haiku poets often use language that appeals to – the senses. (11) In classical haiku, Japanese poets tend to avoid figures of speech. (12) Hymns such as Night are created to be – sung in worship. (13) Which of these excerpts from the Tao Te Ching poem 8 is a paradox? “In governing, don’t try to control.” (14) Lines 11-15 of He is More than a Hero read: “a thin flame runs under / my skin; seeing nothing, / hearing only my own ears / drumming, I drip with sweat; / trembling shakes my body.” To what sense do these lines of imagery least appeal? smell (15) Criticizing Agamemnon in Book I of the Iliad, Achilles says, “I swear a day will come when every Achaean soldier will groan to have Achilles back.” This foreshadows – losses by the Greek army. (16) When Virgil wrote, “They slid until they reached Laocoon. / Each snake enveloped one of his two boys, / Twining about and feeding on the body. / Next they ensnared the man as he ran up / With weapons: coils like cables looped and bound him / Twice round the middle; twice about his throat / They whipped their back-scales, and their heads towered, / While with both hands he fought to break the knots ...” he is describing – an external conflict between Laocoon and his two sons battling with snakes. (17) Socrates uses an analogy to describe unrighteousness. According to Socrates, how is unrighteousness like a fast runner? It easily and quickly overtakes even death. (18) Which of the following statements, based on ideas expressed in Pericles’ speech, is the best example of a logical appeal? Athens is a city of greatness; as Athenians, we are admired and loved by people around the world. (19) What hope does the singer of Night express in the last verse? The goddess will approve of it. (20) According to Krishna, why is death in battle not a cause for grief? The true self is not born and does not die. (21) In Genesis, all of the following contrasting images are repeated EXCEPT summer and winter. (22) In The Voice of the Wild Goose, the speaker claims that – she has failed to act responsibly because of her love for the young man. (23) Words that are parallel often – have a similar form. (24) Which one of the following phrases from The Great Hymn to the Aten is an epithet for the sun god Aten? “creator of life” (25) Which line expresses the overall message of the poem Carpe Diem? “Nor with astrologers consult at all” (26) In Carpe Diem, tone helps Horace to – persuade the reader and the listener to take action. (27) The Greeks of Homer’s time believed that the Iliad contained – practical approaches for besieging a city. (28) Why is Aeneas’ mother such a powerful motivating force for her son in the Aeneid? She is a goddess and can reveal information to him that others cannot. (29) In Oedipus Rex, when Oedipus is seeking Laius’ murderer, he says, “I take the son’s part, just as though I were his son.” What is ironic about this statement? Oedipus is really Laius’ son. (30) In the poem We Drink Your Health, the bride’s eyes are described as “soft as honey,” suggesting that this marriage will be – sweet. (31) Which of the following is a possible theme of Oedipus Rex? It’s impossible to escape destiny. (32) While the Aeneid refers to a Latin epic poem composed by Virgil regarding the legendary story of Aeneas, the Iliad, being attributed to the authorship of Homer, is also an epic poem that alludes the ten-year siege of Troy. Both poems in dactylic hexameter are thematic presentation of distinct causes related to Trojan War. In Aeneid, Aeneas the son of Anchises and Venus is said to wander between Troy and Italy where he eventually formed ancestry for the Romans. The poem highlights the triumph of the Trojans over the Latins in war whereas Iliad depicts siege and battles arising from the tumultuous conflict between Achilles and Agamemnon. Basically, the Trojan War in Iliad is brought by the interstate coalition as opposed to the events in Aeneid which are Greco-Roman by nature. Aeneid may be claimed to have its major theme centered about the role of destiny for Aeneas can be felt determined in governing his path to the full measure. Though he experiences being strayed from his fate especially by Juno, Aeneas remains steadfast with his goal of establishing a city he strongly believes would be made into a great empire in Rome one day. On the other hand, pride is a theme that can be chiefly identified with the Iliad. Here, a Homeric character promoted as hero, such as in the case of Achilles, is perceived to have been driven by pride as he faces the enemy with the same or even greater degree of rage in accomplishing glorious pursuits. Despite distinct characteristics in each theme, both converge at the evident sense of determination and willingness to confront the ordeals set before each heroic figure. Even though Achilles meets with tragedy as prophesied in Iliad, there seems no instant when pride and free will would depart his side to make him weak. Like him, Aeneas maintains the unfailing courage and piety of a heroic figure who proceeds to follow his destiny with intervention by the gods, particularly by his mother Venus. (33) According to Tao Te Ching: “In dwelling, live close to the ground – In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous – In governing, dont try to control. In work, do what you enjoy – In family life, be completely present.” This serves a bundle of guiding principle that signifies living life under simple yet fulfilling circumstances. When a person strives to keep thoughts and dwelling in simplicity, he is more likely an open-minded individual who is humble enough to accept his limits and is therefore capable of acknowledging new insights for the sake of learning. By being fair and generous at critical times, a man is able to weigh options, thereby gaining the wisdom to judge righteously. Similarly, if he chooses to allow nature in its course and not impose his leadership over his subjects, there comes a time when his observation of their freedom would enable him to acquire useful knowledge smoothly. Complete presence in the family, moreover, improves a person’s capacity to connect in loving ways which further enhances his state of well-being. In Taoist Anecdotes, the story of the man with a missing axe teaches the disaster with prejudice. A man by nature is weak as he judges his neighbor based on what is seen on the external. Once, however, he has gathered much evidence and discovers his own fault, his perceptions change and he learns to see others in a positive view just like the man in the story who prejudges the boy as a thief yet sees the latter as any ordinary child after finding the axe in another spot with which the boy has nothing to do. The aforementioned lessons still apply in today’s society especially for those who need more light of understanding amidst a busy city life where most other people appear to lack concern and lose touch with the essence of joyful living. It takes humility for the accused, for instance, to accept the prevailing situation and not resist building faith that justice would someday find its way to vindicate him and make others realize their shortfall. (34) As an epic hero, Gilgamesh demonstrates a remarkable potential of striking a great cedar through his ax. He acknowledges, nevertheless, that there is someone else greater than him so instead of priding at his ability to combat Humbaba, he considers feeling weak at the moment of their encounter. Such attitude also shows how he manages to accept his own limitations. By the illustration provided via lines 26-27: “He stood still watching as the monster leaned to make / His final strike against his friend” suggests his initial response of helpless inaction. This is quite far from the positive trait of Enkidu who, despite pain out of being struck several times by Humbaba still makes the effort to move as indicated in lines 28-30 stating “and then Enkidu slid / Along the ground like a ram making its final lunge / On wounded knees.” Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu may be noted for sharing a common respect for companionship. Though Gilgamesh mostly finds himself defenseless, he never leaves his faithful friend and stays rather to become motivated by Enkidu as he takes Humbaba’s life beyond hesitation. 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