Thursday, September 2, 2010

Sept. 2/6: Vocab Definitions

Sorry! I am late on this post. Here are your vocab words.

PS: My camera is out for right now, so I am sending you to sparknotes.com for help with your reading due Sept. 9th (Books 9-12 of The Odyssey). The link should take you to a summary of Book 9, then go from there. (I totally suggest reading the "Analysis" section after the summary!)
Best wishes on the reading my friends!

VOCABULARY

epic: long, narrative poem about a nation or national hero

bard: a poet, a minstrel, and a musician, especially one treating epic themes/composer or singer of epic poetry

ethnocentricity: a belief that one culture is superior to others; evaluating other races/cultures by your own criteria

allusion: reference to something that has happened in history, mythology, or literature which is used by way of illustration (often confused with illusion: deception, figment of imagination)

acculturation: transfer of one culture onto another; to adapt to or adopt another culture

myth: a story which explains natural/personal phenomena (people use them to explain what they do not understand)

legend: a story passed down from generation to generation, regarded as historical, however unauthenticated

hero: a man of great strength and courage favored by the gods and often descending from them

patriarchal: a society in which the father is in charge of the family, tribe, etc.

matriarchal: a society in which the mother in in charge of the house, tribe, etc.

animism: belief that there are living souls in trees, stones, stars, etc.

totemism: idolization of a mascot; belief in a kinship and descent from and mystical relationship to a spirit being

reprisal: retaking of belongings after someone has taken them from you (revenge, retaliation)

exogenous: developing from without; originating externally; caused by external factors

lex talionis: law of punishment; retaliation whereby a punishment resembles the offense committed in degree and kind

philosophy: love of wisdom and knowledge; using reason in search of truth

anthropomorphic: relating the human body or characteristics to gods, animals, objects, etc; resembling or made to resemble human form

propitiation: an atoning sacrifice which wins the favor of the gods; appeasement or making amends to (propitiator=peacemaker)

appeasement: bringing a state of peace; appeasing the gods or making them calm or quiet by making concessions)

in medias res: in the middle of things

moira: fate

hubris: arrogant pride or presumption; excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods (leads to nemesis)

nemesis: downfall

symbol: sign or token which appears as a concrete object in a story but also represents something else

archetype: a symbol with meaning across cultures; a recurring symbol in literature, art, etc.

dactylic hexameter: poetic form with 6 feet of dactyls (the poetic beat is long-short-short aka stressed-unstressed-unstressed aka _ u u)

pathos: experiencing or suffering along with the character, person, etc.

xenia: hospitality

nostos: return home; homeward voyage

No comments:

Post a Comment