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Foundations of Early Literature

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Page 1: Foundations of Early Literature. From Oral to Written -Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth -Connected with important activity (ex. Singing,

Foundations of Early Literature

Page 2: Foundations of Early Literature. From Oral to Written -Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth -Connected with important activity (ex. Singing,

From Oral to Written

-Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth-Connected with important activity (ex. Singing, storytelling, ritual, prayer, teaching, or even magic)-As civilizations progressed, they began writing

Page 3: Foundations of Early Literature. From Oral to Written -Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth -Connected with important activity (ex. Singing,

Early Forms of Literature (p. 30)

*Myths*Heroic Literature

Sacred VerseWisdom/ Proverbs

Folk Tales

Page 4: Foundations of Early Literature. From Oral to Written -Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth -Connected with important activity (ex. Singing,

Myths

• Traditional stories (often about gods/ goddesses)

• Serve to explain natural phenomena, human condition, or belief/ ritual

• Epic of Gilgamesh has several Sumerian myths in its plot

Page 5: Foundations of Early Literature. From Oral to Written -Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth -Connected with important activity (ex. Singing,

Heroic Literature

• Celebrates great deeds• Gilgamesh, king of Uruk,

celebrated in Sumerian legends

• Archetypes: hero, battle, journey and quest

Page 6: Foundations of Early Literature. From Oral to Written -Earliest literature was passed by word of mouth -Connected with important activity (ex. Singing,

Epic Poetry: a long narrative poem in elevated style presenting characters of high position in a series of adventures which form an organic whole to their society