Ancient World

1
Ancient World

• polytheism rather than monotheism the general
  rule
• gods reflect human weaknesses
• small city states very gradually absorbed into
  Roman empire
• constant petty warfare slowly evolves into Pax
  Romanum
• obsession with natal rank and citizenship
• pervasive misogyny
• power relations all enforced physically

2
Genre a largely artificial designation into a
literary niche

• epic poetry
• long
• narrative
• written in lofty language
• extended simile
• often focuses on cultures hero
• natural and supernatural characters
• lyric poetry
• short
• describes a moment, emotion, scene, eetc, but
  does not tell a story
• compressed language

3
Genre a largely artificial designation into a
literary niche

• tragic drama often tends to
• use higher ranking characters
• move from happiness to unhappiness
• focus on undeserved suffering
• leave audience questioning the power hierarchies
  which govern its society
• comic drama often tends to
• use lower ranking characters
• move from unhappiness to happiness
• end with marriage or some sense that the status
  quo will last
• leave audience pleased with the power hierarchies
  which govern its society