what are the characteristics of greek literature

"Classical" Greek literature is said to have ended with the deaths of Aristotle and Demosthenes (c.322 BC). Mueller holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Juris Doctor from Indiana University Maurer School of Law. The plays of Menander, of which only the Dyscolus (Misanthrope) now exists, did not deal with the great public themes such as those of Aristophanes. Homer told the story of a heroic past, and Hesiod dealt with the practical realities of daily life. Greek art is the result of the combination of different elements of Greek culture during its development, elements that were the basis of Western culture. Unfortunately, only fragments of her poems remain. Greek literature One of the longest surviving traditions in world literature. In addition to history and philosophy, Ancient Greek literature is famous for its epic and lyric poetry as well as its drama, both tragedy and comedy. Greek literature has influenced not only its Roman neighbors to the west but also countless generations across the European continent. The story ,in its own, contained the use of epic characteristics, which reveal further characteristics of the Greeks. However, it was also referred to as the subject matter of conversion and loss regularly articulated in the elegiac stanza form, particularly in themes of love. For example, Oedipus Rex, the title character of Sophocles’ tragedy, is considered a classic tragic hero. In Lysistrata he denounced war. Though the ancient Greek religions based upon these tales have long since faded into obscurity, Greek myths remain alive and vibrant, largely through the epic poetry and tragedies of Ancient Greek literature, and are rich sources for Western fiction, poetry, film, and visual art. The Elements is a treatise on geometry, and it has exerted a continuing influence on mathematics. Wealthy citizens were chosen to bear the expense of costuming and training the chorus as a public and religious duty. African literature is as diverse as the continent itself, but several characteristics and themes prevail throughout much of the written works emerging from Africa. Strabo, who died about 23 C.E., was a geographer and historian. What are some characteristics of Greek literature, including drama and lyric poetry? Greek drama has many distinctive features that are rarely found elsewhere, except in those works it directly influenced. The Greeks invented drama and produced masterpieces that are still reckoned as one of drama's crowning achievements. Of the ancient Greek plays that have survived to modern times, all but Aeschylus' play "Persians" relate to Greek mythology and popular heroic myths and legends -- but they weren't always positive endorsements. Greek ♣ The name Greece comes from the Latin Graecia which in turn comes from the Greek word Graikoi, the original name of the people living in Dodona. Greek statues tend to idealize the human form. Derived from the Latin word literature meaning "writing formed with letters," literature most commonly refers to works of the creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, and … However, many Roman sculptures are characterized by their realism. Greek art is the result of the combination of different elements of Greek culture during its development, elements that were the basis of Western culture. A. Epic poems reflected the belief that the Gods controlled humans' lives. A. Epic poems reflected the belief that the Gods controlled humans' lives. The Hellenistic Period witnessed the glory and power of the Greek Empire reaching its zenith. He is best remembered for his epic the "Argonautica," about Jason and his shipmates in search of the golden fleece. The greatest writers of the classical era have certain characteristics in common: economy of words, direct expression, subtlety of thought, and attention to form. For about 16 years, between 484 and 468 B.C.E., Aeschylus carried off prize after prize. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. Greek writers are responsible for the introduction of such genres as poetry, tragedy, comedy, and western philosophy to the world. In the successive centuries of Greek writing there was never again such a brilliant flowering of genius as appeared in the fifth and fourth centuries B.C.E. It mainly included Paintings, pottery, sculpture and Architecture. Most of the epic poetry and tragedy has its roots in Ancient Greek religion and Greek mythology. His history of Rome from its origins to the First Punic War (264 to 241 B.C.E.) B. Another theory is that literary works, as the preserve of an elite, were written on finer materials such as parchment, which have not survived. Appian and Arrian both lived in the second century C.E. Characteristics of Epic Poetry . The use of masks enabled actors in ancient Greek plays to portray different roles without confusing the audience. Permanence and universalit y 3. The history on which his reputation rests consisted of 40 books, five of which have been preserved along with various excerpts. Callimachus, who lived at the same time as Theocritus, worked his entire adult life at Alexandria, compiling a catalog of the library. The comedies of the French playwright Molière are reminiscent of those by Menander. Tragic Literature. Herodas wrote mimes reminiscent of those of Theocritus. Modern Greek Literature ♣ In general, 20th century Greek literature reflects the evolution of European modernism in such various forms as French symbolism and surrealism or British American experiment in narrative techniques. Herodotus is commonly called the father of history, and his "History" contains the first truly literary use of prose in Western literature. They had a rich history of both war and peace, leaving an indelible imprint on the culture and people. It served as a repository for every Greek work of the classical period that could be found. Alexander's conquests were in the East, and Greek culture shifted first in that direction. Although both Xenophon and Plato knew Socrates, their accounts are very different, providing an interesting comparison between the view of the military historian to that of the poet-philosopher. Select all that apply. Only fragments remain of his work, as is the case with most of the lyric poets. The characteristics of the Greek tradition of epic poetry are long-established and summarized below. Jennifer Mueller began writing and editing professionally in 1995, when she became sports editor of her university's newspaper while also writing a bi-monthly general interest column for an independent tourist publication. The word ‘Ode’ comes from the Greek word ‘aeidein’ meaning ‘to sing’ or ‘chant’.An Ode is a lyric poem in praise of something or someone.. His Enneads had a wide-ranging influence on European thought until at least the seventeenth century. Xenophon also wrote three works in praise of the philosopher Socrates: Apology, Symposium, and Memorabilia. It is the story of Odysseus, one of the warriors at Troy. He probably accompanied the general to Spain and North Africa in the wars against Carthage. The theater in which ancient Greek plays were performed was an outdoor, open-air complex with seats arranged around the center stage in tiers. However, the word is used to address people living in Greece. With his death in 322 B.C.E., the classical era of Greek literature drew to a close. Learn about Greek tragedy, an art form that reached its peak during the Greek Golden Age of the fifth century and influences literature up to the present day. 1. Although the works as they now stand are credited to him, it is certain that their roots reach far back before his time (see Homeric Question). Historical and Geographical Background… 3. Ancient Greek epitaphs are often of considerable literary interest, deep and tender in feeling, rich and varied in expression, and epigrammatic in form. The work examines the war through the person of Achilles, who embodied the Greek heroic ideal. Like tragedy, comedy arose from a ritual in honor of Dionysus, but in this case the plays were full of frank obscenity, abuse, and insult. The dramatic developments in art and literature, philosophy and science that characterize this period are usually attributed to the dramatic political and social changes that swept over the Greek world after Alexander’s death. In 38 books it covered the history of Sicily and Italy to the year 264 B.C.E., the starting point of Polybius' work. These styles, starting with the earliest, are the archaic, the classical and the Hellenistic. Their old stories may sound familiar when reading today's books becau… Classical literature, the literature of ancient Greece and Rome (see Greek literature; Latin literature).The term, usually spelled “classical,” is also used for the literature of any language in a period notable for the excellence and enduring quality of its writers’ works. Which of the following were characteristics of ancient Greek literature? The most famous work was Aetia (Causes). The tragedy genre is one of the oldest literary structures. His best-known work is probably the powerful Medea, but his Alcestis, Hippolytus, Trojan Women, Orestes, and Electra are no less brilliant. Tragedy is a form of drama in which a strong central character or hero ultimately fails and is punished by the gods. The number of literary characteristics of the Elizabethan Age are so numerous one answer can't begin to fully cover the question, but I can get you started. 2 Answers. It originates in Greece 300 years before Christ. Characteristics of Greek Tragedy In literature, a tragedy is a form of drama that shows the downfall of a dignified, superior character who participates in events of great significance. Much that was written by the mathematicians Euclid and Archimedes has been preserved. 1 decade ago. Her themes were personal. Only fragments of his poetry survive. Of his rural-farm poetry, Harvest Home is considered the best work. The period of time they cover extended from late in the fourth century B.C.E. The Iliad is the famous story about the Trojan War. Prometheus Bound is a retelling of the legend of the Titan Prometheus, a superhuman who stole fire from heaven and gave it to humankind. The chief poets were Theocritus, Callimachus, and Apollonius of Rhodes. The Roman poet Virgil was strongly influenced by the "Argonautica" in writing his Aeneid. His book therefore concentrates heavily on the military aspects of Alexander's life. For example, Euripedes' tragedies questioned traditional stories and values, exploring characters' personal motivations in a way other playwrights of his time did not. Usually, the hero has a fatal flaw that causes his undoing. Timaeus also wrote the "Olympionikai," a valuable chronological study of the Olympic Games. Cite this Literature Note; About Greek Mythology Introduction. After ten years fighting the war, he spends another ten years sailing back home to his wife and family. 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