European Literature

1. EuropeEurope is one of the seven traditional is one of the seven traditional continentscontinents of the of the
EarthEarth. . PhysicallyPhysically and and geologicallygeologically, Europe is the , Europe is the
westernmost westernmost peninsulapeninsula of of EurasiaEurasia, west of , west of AsiaAsia. Europe . Europe
is bounded to the north by the is bounded to the north by the Arctic OceanArctic Ocean, to the , to the
west by the west by the Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean, to the south by the , to the south by the
Mediterranean SeaMediterranean Sea, to the southeast by the , to the southeast by the
Caucasus MountainsCaucasus Mountains and the and the Black SeaBlack Sea and the and the
waterways connecting the Black Sea to the waterways connecting the Black Sea to the
Mediterranean. To the east, Europe is generally divided Mediterranean. To the east, Europe is generally divided
from Asia by the from Asia by the water dividewater divide of the of the Ural MountainsUral Mountains, ,
the the Ural RiverUral River, and by the , and by the Caspian SeaCaspian Sea. .

2. European LiteratureEuropean Literature
European literatureEuropean literature refers to the refers to the literatureliterature of of EuropeEurope..
European literature includes literature in many European literature includes literature in many languageslanguages; among the ; among the
most important of the modern written works are those in most important of the modern written works are those in EnglishEnglish, ,
SpanishSpanish, , FrenchFrench, , DutchDutch, , PolishPolish, , GermanGerman, , ItalianItalian, , Modern GreekModern Greek, ,
CzechCzech and and RussianRussian and works by the and works by the ScandinaviansScandinavians and and IrishIrish..
Important classical and medieval traditions are those in Important classical and medieval traditions are those in LatinLatin, ,
Ancient GreekAncient Greek, , Old NorseOld Norse, , Medieval FrenchMedieval French and the Italian and the Italian
Tuscan dialectTuscan dialect of the renaissance. of the renaissance.
In colloquial speech, European literature often is used as a synonym In colloquial speech, European literature often is used as a synonym
for for Western literatureWestern literature..
European literature is a part of European literature is a part of world literatureworld literature..

3. William Butler YeatsWilliam Butler Yeats

4. William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Irish poet and dramatist, and Nobel laureate, William Butler Yeats (1865-1939), Irish poet and dramatist, and Nobel laureate,
who was a leader of the Irish Renaissance and one of the foremost writers of the who was a leader of the Irish Renaissance and one of the foremost writers of the
20th century.20th century.
Yeats was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865, the son of the noted Irish painter Yeats was born in Dublin on June 13, 1865, the son of the noted Irish painter
John Butler Yeats. He was schooled in London and in Dublin, where he studied John Butler Yeats. He was schooled in London and in Dublin, where he studied
painting, and vacationed in county Sligo, which inspired his enthusiasm for Irish painting, and vacationed in county Sligo, which inspired his enthusiasm for Irish
tradition. In 1887 he moved with his family to London and became interested in tradition. In 1887 he moved with his family to London and became interested in
Hinduism, theosophy, and occultism. He wrote lyrical, symbolic poems on pagan Hinduism, theosophy, and occultism. He wrote lyrical, symbolic poems on pagan
Irish themes, such as Irish themes, such as The Wanderings of OisinThe Wanderings of Oisin (1889) and (1889) and The Lake Isle of InnisfreeThe Lake Isle of Innisfree
(1893), in the romantic melancholy tone he believed characteristic of the ancient (1893), in the romantic melancholy tone he believed characteristic of the ancient
Celts. He also wrote Celts. He also wrote The Celtic TwilightThe Celtic Twilight (1893) and (1893) and The Secret RoseThe Secret Rose (1897), which deal (1897), which deal
with Irish legends. On a visit to Ireland he met the beautiful Irish patriot Maud with Irish legends. On a visit to Ireland he met the beautiful Irish patriot Maud
Gonne, whom he loved unrequitedly the rest of his life. She inspired much of his Gonne, whom he loved unrequitedly the rest of his life. She inspired much of his
early work and drew him into the Irish nationalist movement for independence.early work and drew him into the Irish nationalist movement for independence.
Later Years:Later Years:
As Yeats grew older, he turned to practical politics, serving in the Senate of the As Yeats grew older, he turned to practical politics, serving in the Senate of the
new Irish Free State from 1922 to 1928. He also accomplished the feat, rare new Irish Free State from 1922 to 1928. He also accomplished the feat, rare
among poets, of deepening and perfecting his complex styles as the years among poets, of deepening and perfecting his complex styles as the years
advanced. His later writings are generally acknowledged to be his best. They were advanced. His later writings are generally acknowledged to be his best. They were
influenced by Georgie Hyde-Lees, his wife since 1917, who had a medium's gift influenced by Georgie Hyde-Lees, his wife since 1917, who had a medium's gift
for automated writing. for automated writing. A VisionA Vision (1925) is an elaborate attempt in prose to explain (1925) is an elaborate attempt in prose to explain
the mythology, symbolism, and philosophy that Yeats used in much of his work. the mythology, symbolism, and philosophy that Yeats used in much of his work.
It discusses the eternal opposites of objectivity and subjectivity, art and life, soul It discusses the eternal opposites of objectivity and subjectivity, art and life, soul
and body that are the basis of his philosophy. Other poetic works in this vein are and body that are the basis of his philosophy. Other poetic works in this vein are
The Wild Swans at CooleThe Wild Swans at Coole (1917), (1917), The TowerThe Tower (1928), and (1928), and The Winding StairThe Winding Stair (1933). (1933).

5. Lake Isle of InnisfreeLake Isle of Innisfree
I will arise and go now, and go to I will arise and go now, and go to InnisfreeInnisfree,,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slowAnd I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evenings full of the And evenings full of the linnet'slinnet's wings. wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and dayI will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;I hear the lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core. I hear it in the deep heart's core.

6. First published in the collection First published in the collection The RoseThe Rose in 1893, “The Lake Isle in 1893, “The Lake Isle
of Innisfree” is an example of Yeats’s earlier lyric poems. of Innisfree” is an example of Yeats’s earlier lyric poems.
Throughout the three short quatrains the poem explores the Throughout the three short quatrains the poem explores the
speaker’s longing for the peace and tranquility of his boyhood speaker’s longing for the peace and tranquility of his boyhood
haunt, Innisfree.haunt, Innisfree.
““The Lake Isle of Innisfree” suggests that a life of simplicity in The Lake Isle of Innisfree” suggests that a life of simplicity in
nature will bring peace to the troubled speaker. However, the nature will bring peace to the troubled speaker. However, the
poem is the speaker’s recollection of Innisfree, and therefore the poem is the speaker’s recollection of Innisfree, and therefore the
journey is an emotional and spiritual escape rather than an actual journey is an emotional and spiritual escape rather than an actual
one. Innisfree may be a symbol for the speaker’s passed youth, one. Innisfree may be a symbol for the speaker’s passed youth,
which the speaker is unable to return to in the “real,” or physical, which the speaker is unable to return to in the “real,” or physical,
world. Emotionally, the speaker can return again and again to the world. Emotionally, the speaker can return again and again to the
tranquility of Innisfree.tranquility of Innisfree.

7. William BlakeWilliam Blake

8. William Blake (1757-1827), English poet, painter, and engraver, who created William Blake (1757-1827), English poet, painter, and engraver, who created
an unusual form of illustrated verse; his poetry, inspired by mystical vision, is an unusual form of illustrated verse; his poetry, inspired by mystical vision, is
among the most original, lyric, and prophetic in the language.among the most original, lyric, and prophetic in the language.
Blake, the son of a hosier (stocking-maker), was born November 28, 1757, in Blake, the son of a hosier (stocking-maker), was born November 28, 1757, in
London, where he lived most of his life. Largely self-taught, he was, however, London, where he lived most of his life. Largely self-taught, he was, however,
widely read, and his poetry shows the influence of the German mystic Jakob widely read, and his poetry shows the influence of the German mystic Jakob
Boehme, for example, and of Swedenborgianism. Boehme, for example, and of Swedenborgianism.
As a child, Blake wanted to become a painter. He was sent to drawing school As a child, Blake wanted to become a painter. He was sent to drawing school
and at the age of 14 was apprenticed to James Basire, an engraver. The and at the age of 14 was apprenticed to James Basire, an engraver. The
young Blake had to draw monuments in the old churches of London, a task young Blake had to draw monuments in the old churches of London, a task
he thoroughly enjoyed.he thoroughly enjoyed.
After his seven-year apprenticeship was over, Blake studied briefly at the After his seven-year apprenticeship was over, Blake studied briefly at the
Royal Academy, but he rebelled against the aesthetic doctrines of its Royal Academy, but he rebelled against the aesthetic doctrines of its
president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was a neoclassicist who took a very president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was a neoclassicist who took a very
academic approach to the study of art. Blake preferred to draw from his academic approach to the study of art. Blake preferred to draw from his
imagination. At the Royal Academy Blake did, however, establish imagination. At the Royal Academy Blake did, however, establish
friendships with such artists as John Flaxman and Henry Fuseli, whose work friendships with such artists as John Flaxman and Henry Fuseli, whose work
may have influenced him. may have influenced him.
In 1784 Blake married Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a gardener, who In 1784 Blake married Catherine Boucher, the daughter of a gardener, who
proved a devoted wife. The Blakes set up a print shop; although it failed after proved a devoted wife. The Blakes set up a print shop; although it failed after
a few years, for the rest of his life Blake eked out a living as an engraver and a few years, for the rest of his life Blake eked out a living as an engraver and
illustrator. His wife helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is illustrator. His wife helped him print the illuminated poetry for which he is
remembered today.remembered today.

10. "The Tyger" was published as a part of "The Tyger" was published as a part of Songs of Songs of
ExperienceExperience and the poem can also be seen as and the poem can also be seen as
dealing with the growing knowledge of the dealing with the growing knowledge of the
world as one ages. While "The Lamb" is world as one ages. While "The Lamb" is
grounded in the pastoral settings of Blake's grounded in the pastoral settings of Blake's
youth "The Tyger" is set in the industrialized youth "The Tyger" is set in the industrialized
modernity. "The Tyger" reflects a knowledge modernity. "The Tyger" reflects a knowledge
that evil exists in the world and that benevolence that evil exists in the world and that benevolence
is not omnipresent. is not omnipresent.

11. The LambThe Lamb
Little Lamb who made thee? Little Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life and bid thee feed Gave thee life and bid thee feed
By the stream and o'er the mead; By the stream and o'er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight, Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing whooly bright; Softest clothing whooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice, Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice. Making all the vales rejoice.
Little Lamb who made thee? Little Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee? Dost thou know who made thee?
Little Lamb I'll tell thee, Little Lamb I'll tell thee,
Little Lamb I'll tell thee; Little Lamb I'll tell thee;
He is called by thy name, He is called by thy name,
For he calls himself a lamb. For he calls himself a lamb.
He is meek and he is mild; He is meek and he is mild;
He became a little child. He became a little child.
I a child and thou a lamb, I a child and thou a lamb,
We are called by his name. We are called by his name.
Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee.
Little Lamb God bless thee. Little Lamb God bless thee.

12. Jesus Christ is "The Lamb of God" - Blake makes the Jesus Christ is "The Lamb of God" - Blake makes the
animal's name be secondary to Christ's name, seeing animal's name be secondary to Christ's name, seeing
Christ was ordained to bear the sins of the world from Christ was ordained to bear the sins of the world from
before eternity; therefore it is called by God's name (not before eternity; therefore it is called by God's name (not
vice versa). We are also called by Christ's name: Child:he vice versa). We are also called by Christ's name: Child:he
is the Son of God - from before eternity and we become is the Son of God - from before eternity and we become
God's Children through faith in him. In this way the God's Children through faith in him. In this way the
lamb is called by God's name and the child is called by lamb is called by God's name and the child is called by
God's name. God's name.