Introduction to Western Literature

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Introduction to Western Literature

• Review 3

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Lysistrata

• by Aristophanes
• A chorus member tries to fool Lysistrata

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Lysistrata

• 1. Author Aristophanes (c. 448-380 B.C.)
• 2. The background of the play Lysistrata -
  Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• 3. Plot summary Lysistrata
• 4. Theme anti-war

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Lysistrata

• 5. Characters
• Lysistrata (meaning dissolving armies) a
  director of the action in the play also
  separated from the action of the play and the
  other women of the play because she does not
  participate in either the sex strike or the
  seizure of the Akropolis showing no sexual
  desire, no obvious lovers or husbands, no
  flirting with men (thats why she gain respect
  from the male character in the play) smarter,
  having more wit and more serious tone than the
  others (this contributing to her ability as a
  leader of Greece

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Lysistrata

• Lysistrata therefore, however put, the idea that
  women could end a war was probably very silly and
  ridiculous to the Greek audience member
  nevertheless Lysistratas rejection of the
  stereotypical domestic female allows her to take
  the stage and achieve a real political voice in a
  male-dominating state

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Aeneid

• By Virgil
• AENEAS AND ANCHISES

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Aeneid

• 1. The authorVirgil and The Aeneid
• 2. Background The Aeneid
• 3. Plot summary Plot Overview
• 4. Theme the primacy of Fate the sufferings of
  Wanderers (lost of identity) the glory of Rome

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Aeneid

• 5. Character
• Aeneas respect Fate (pious Aeneas) compassion
  for the sufferings committing to obey fate
  rather than indulge his feelings of genuine
  romantic love (personal desire v.s. civil
  obligation) a figure of order and control
• Dido a figure of passion and volatility
  representing the sacrifice Aeneas makes to pursue
  his duty through Dido, Virgil affirms order,
  duty, and history at the expense of romantic love

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Beowulf

• 1. The author and background About Beowulf
• 2. The story Short Summary
• 3. Theme the importance of establishing identity
  (in terms of ancestral heritage and individual
  reputation) tensions between the heroic code
  (valuing strength, courage, and loyalty in
  warriors hospitality, generosity, and political
  skill in kings ceremoniousness in women and
  good reputation in all people retaliating rather
  than mourning) and other value systems (medieval
  Christianity)

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Beowulf

• the differences between a good warrior and a good
  king
• A good warrior desiring personal glory
• A good king seeking protection for his people
• Beowulfs final battle with the dragon rehashing
  the dichotomy between the duties of a heroic
  warrior and those of a heroic king

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Beowulf

• 4. Character
• Beowulf
• 1. Young Beowulf an unfettered warrior (a figure
  of strength, courage, loyalty, courtesy, and
  pride)
• 2. Old Beowulf a reliable king, comporting
  himself as both a warrior and a king
• 3. In the final episodethe encounter with the
  dragonthe poet reflects further on how the
  responsibilities of a king, who must act for the
  good of the people and not just for his own
  glory, differ from those of the heroic warrior.
  In light of these meditations, Beowulfs moral
  status becomes somewhat ambiguous at the poems
  end.

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Beowulf

• Grendel
• 1. A member of Cains clan, epitomizing
  resentment and malice an outcast
• 2. Though having many animal attributes and a
  grotesque, monstrous appearance, Grendel seems to
  be guided by vaguely human emotions and impulses,
  and he shows more of an interior life than one
  might expect
• 3. Behind Grendels aggression against the Danes
  lies loneliness and jealousy.

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Beowulf

• Wiglaf
• 1. A reflection of the young Beowulfa warrior
  who is strong, fearless, valiant, and loyal.
• 2. Representing the next generation of heroism
  and the future of the kingdom. His bravery and
  solid bearing provide the single glint of
  optimism in the final part of the story, which,
  for the most part, is dominated by a tone of
  despair at what the future holds.
• Just for fun Illustrated Beowulf

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The divine comedy

• 1. The authorDante's Bio
• 2. Inferno inferno Digital Dante inferno
• 3. Purgatory G\purgatory.bmp Digital Dante
• Dante1.bmp
• 4. ParadiseG\paradise.gif Digital Dante
• 5. Theme and character SparkNotes Inferno

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Dante and Beatrice

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Assignment 3

• 1. The name of Lysistrata means releaser of
  war, which typifies the aristophanic tendency
  for an outsider hero who indicates his or her
  function. Interestingly, there was an important
  priestess in Athens at that time whose name,
  Lysimache, meant releaser of the battle.
  However, it is impossible to say this
  significance of this possible coincidence. Think
  about the character of Lysistrata and how the
  audience might have viewed her. What figure in
  mythology or tragedy does she most resemble?

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Assignment 3

• 2. How negatively does Aeneass abandonment of
  Dido reflect on his character?
• 3. What role does religion play in Beowulf?
• 4. In what sense is the Divine Comedy an epic?