Difference between revisions of "Literature"
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'''Literature''' consists of writings whose value lies in the beauty of form or emotional effect. <ref>The Concise Oxford Dictionary</ref> Traditionally, this encompasses such diverse forms of expression as [[novel]]s, [[poetry]], and others. [[Literary criticism]] is usually itself considered a form of literature. | '''Literature''' consists of writings whose value lies in the beauty of form or emotional effect. <ref>The Concise Oxford Dictionary</ref> Traditionally, this encompasses such diverse forms of expression as [[novel]]s, [[poetry]], and others. [[Literary criticism]] is usually itself considered a form of literature. | ||
| − | While [[epic poetry]] is a form of artistic expression, it is generally considered that literature began with the recording of such epics, rather than their oral recitation. In ancient [[Mesopotamia]], the development of [[ | + | While [[epic poetry]] is a form of artistic expression, it is generally considered that literature began with the recording of such epics, rather than their oral recitation. In ancient [[Mesopotamia]], the development of [[ideograph|ideographic]] glyphs allowed the recording of the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]] in the city of Akkadia for an Assyrian king in the seventh century B.C., arguably the first piece of literature that we possess today. It was preceded by multiple other items of literature that we know of, such as the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Book of the Dead]], but while Egyptologists believe this to have been recorded as early as the eighteenth century B.C., extant copies date from 250 B.C.<ref>Diamond, Jared. ''Guns, Germs, and Steel.'' New York: Norton, 2005.</ref> |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 02:14, May 28, 2008
Literature consists of writings whose value lies in the beauty of form or emotional effect. [1] Traditionally, this encompasses such diverse forms of expression as novels, poetry, and others. Literary criticism is usually itself considered a form of literature.
While epic poetry is a form of artistic expression, it is generally considered that literature began with the recording of such epics, rather than their oral recitation. In ancient Mesopotamia, the development of ideographic glyphs allowed the recording of the Epic of Gilgamesh in the city of Akkadia for an Assyrian king in the seventh century B.C., arguably the first piece of literature that we possess today. It was preceded by multiple other items of literature that we know of, such as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, but while Egyptologists believe this to have been recorded as early as the eighteenth century B.C., extant copies date from 250 B.C.[2]
See also
External links
- An Online Library of Literature
- Literature Open Directory.
- Top 50 Poems