a. What is that? What is that for? Why should we care?
b. Before this semester, we have to define what literature is. Also we have to know how to define it.
c. Literature- Literature can be classified according to whether it is fiction or non-fiction, and whether it is poetry or prose; it can be further distinguished according to major forms such as the novel, short story or drama.
d. Why should we need to learn Western literature first?
-- In order to under stand more knowledge about these nations.
e. The objective of this course is to make us know how to read, understand, and appreciate Western Literature.
f. "All in all, I need you to feel."--quoted by Dr. T. Sara Sun
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Origins of Western literature
a. Western literature originate from two epic poetries. (Sumerian literature is much earlier)
* Epic poetry is a lengthy narrative poem, ordinarily concerning a serious subject containing details of heroic deeds and events significant to a culture or nation.
b. After the period of epic poetry is the period of Lyric poetry.
* Lyre is a kind of string instrument which is Apollo's favourite instrument because of its function as a vocal accompaniment. (可以邊彈邊唱的七弦琴)
* "Lyrics" is an extended word of lyre.
c. Sappho of Lesbos is the first lesbian of the world, also, she is a Greek lyric poet. (There is a group composed of nine lyric poets in ancient Greece. )
d. Western literature is from ancient Greek, ancient Roman, and Hebrew cultures. However, in 19 century, due to the booming of Victoria era and some evil pirates, English became to an important language around the world.
Queen Victoria 
the first page of Beowulf
e. The oldest British literature is the form of epic poetry as well- Beowulf.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. The Intro Video (I)
a. Six issues to discuss
b. The most important difference between literature and some other forms (such as news, a dissertation, etc...) is Imagination. Literature is full of imagination.
c. Robert Frost's (the author of "The Road Not Taken") definition of literature- performance in words.
d. Modern definition of literature defined by five adjectives to describe which are beautiful, intellectual, emotional, imaginative, and artistic.
e. What for? It helps you explore the nature of human beings. It gives you spiritual and psychological relief (humanities).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. The Intro Video (II) - How to Study Literature
a. Analytical approach-- about the plot (What happened in the story?), character (Who's the bad guy?), setting (How to tell the story?), and point of view (Who tells the story? Is the POV omniscient or first-person ?)
* Omniscient is third-person point of view.
b. Thematic approach-- subject matters (What is about? such as love, hates, etc...)
c. Historical approach-- There was a special genre in every specific period because of the historical contacts.
* Omniscient is third-person point of view.
b. Thematic approach-- subject matters (What is about? such as love, hates, etc...)
c. Historical approach-- There was a special genre in every specific period because of the historical contacts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Information of Orientation and Midterm Exam
a. Period and genre of literature types-- three major types in literature: Drama, Poetry, and Fiction.
b. List of Greek immortals (v)
the Trojan War
d. Film: Helen of Troy
Introductions-- Helen of Troy is a 2003 television miniseries based upon Homer's story of the Trojan War, as recounted in the epic poem, Iliad.The film is placed in the early classical period rather than the correct late Bronze Age; the Greeks are shown with Iron Age classical hoplite dress and arms. Made on a relatively low budget, Helen of Troy was released at a time when interest in the subject was high due to the soon-to-be-released Troy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. Vocabulary (v)
a. lengthy vs long-- "lengthy" is the length that human can see. (eg. lengthy narrative poem) ; However, "long" can refer some "abstract length". (eg. long time)
b. divide-- di means "to cut or rend into two" eg. diversity, divorce, and different
c. monotheism-- mono means "single" ; theis means gods (eg. theist 無神論者)
d. sympathy-- sym contains the meaning of "with together" ; path is "identify my feeling with you" (eg. apathy)
e. orientation-- ori means "stand for beginning" (eg. original and originate)
