LITERATURE – OVERVIEW

Literature

Etymologically, Literature refers to any form of written work. This is its direct meaning from the Latin root word, litteratura. Littera means handwriting or letter. It is considered to be an art because of the way and manner in which words are used in it. Works of literature are referred to as literary works. However, not all literary works are written, the contemporary definition of literature includes oral forms like spoken words, songs, oral folklores etc.

Generally, literature is divided into two major forms namely, fiction and non-fiction be it poetry, prose or drama.

Definitions

It is pertinent to note here that literature has no definite definition. Its definition varies in time and space. That is, the way it is defined in the 15^th century is quite different from the way it is being defined now, and its definition in Roman might be different from that of Egypt, china and Nigeria. Hardly will there be a definition that really commands the agreement of many literature scholars. As such, we have literature in English, African literature, oriental literature etc. This also depends on the importance of literature in a particular time and to a particular people and place. This also offers explanation on why we have definitions of literature according to authors.

That notwithstanding, let’s look into some definitions of literature offered by renowned literal authors  and legends.

Henry van Dyke

“Literature consists of those writing which interpret the meanings of nature and life, in words of charm and power, touched with the personality of the author, in artistic forms of permanent interest.”

 

Robert Frost

”Literature is a performance in words”

 

 

Merriam-Webster

Writings in prose or verse; especially: writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest.

 

William Wordsworth

The spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility,”

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From the above plain definitions, one would agree that literature is a creative and imaginative work of art.

 

History of literature

As noted before that literature in contemporary definition includes both written and spoken words, one would opine that the history of literature is as old as man. On a contrary, not all written or spoken words belong to the family literature. The works of literature are unique in that they have artistic forms and styles which differentiate them from everyday words. Therefore, any attempt made to present the history of literature, globally, must start from the era when imaginative works art filled with organized words began. On that note, ancient Egypt would be the starting point.

The literature of Ancient Egypt and that of Sumer are considered the world’s oldest literatures. The literature of Ancient Egypt are in form of hymns and poems, prayers, didactic texts, and tales, and were mainly written in verses. While the poetic devices used in them can be identified, the singing pattern of the verses cannot be identified. Others include funerary texts, epistles and letters, and commemorative autobiographical texts recounting the careers of prominent administrative officials.

These literatures where written in ancient Egyptian languages from Egypt’s pharaonic period to the end of Roman domination. These languages are hieroglyphic and hieratic. However, a narrative Egyptian literature was first created in the early Middle Kingdom (21st century BC to 17th century BC). This gave rise to creation of other media-like literatures. It was a revolution in the world of literature.

The literature written in the Sumerian language are referred to as the Sumerian literature. Its first appearance dates back in the Middle Bronze Age. The Sumerians invented the first writing system – Sumerian cuneiform – which was developed out of earlier proto-writing systems about 30th century BC. The earliest literary texts appear from about 27th century BC.

According to Wikipedia, Most Sumerian literatures are apparently poetry, as it is written in left-justified lines, and could contain line-based organization such as the couplet or the stanza, but the Sumerian definition of poetry is unknown. It is not rhymed, although comparable effects were sometimes exploited. It did not use syllabo-tonic versification, and the writing system precludes detection of rhythm, metre, rhyme, or alliteration. Quantitative analysis of other possible poetic features seems to be lacking.

The Sumerian literary works are,

A Creation and Flood Myth, Three epic cycles (Two Enmerkar legends:

Enmerkar and the Lord of Aratta, Enmerkar and En-suhgir-ana).

Two tales of Lugalbanda during Enmerkar’s campaign against Aratta (Lugalbanda in the Mountain Cave, Lugalbanda and the Anzud Bird) and many more.

 

For more information or details on the history of literature, follow the links below as provided by Wikipedia:

 

 

History of literature by era

Bronze Age

·         Sumerian ·         Ancient Egyptian ·         Akkadian

Classical

·         Avestan ·         Chinese ·         Greek ·         Hebrew ·         Latin ·         Pali ·         Prakrit ·         Sanskrit ·         Syriac ·         Tamil ·         Japanese

Early Medieval

·         Matter of Rome ·         Matter of France ·         Matter of Britain ·         Armenian ·         Byzantine ·         Georgian ·         Kannada ·         Middle Persian ·         Turkish

Medieval

·         Old Bulgarian ·         Old English ·         Middle English ·         Arabic ·         Persian ·         Armenian ·         Byzantine ·         Catalan ·         Dutch ·         French ·         Georgian ·         German ·         Indian ·         Old Irish ·         Italian ·         Korean ·         Japanese ·         Nepal Bhasa ·         Norse ·         Russian ·         Telugu ·         Turkish ·         Welsh

Early Modern

·         Renaissance ·         Baroque

Modern by century

·         18th ·         19th ·         20th ·         21st