Western Classical Culture & Christian Culture

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/2403

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 12
  • Item
    Fears and Aspirations of Humans as Expounded by Lucretius and Juvenal
    (Journal of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Jayasekera, K
  • Item
    An Analysis of the Ideas akin to the Indo-Aryan Concepts of Plato
    (Journal of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2009) Jayasekera, K
  • Item
    Word Power as recommended and exercised by the Ancient Romans
    (Kalyani, University of Kelaniya, 2008) Jayasekera, K
    The objective of this paper is to examine the recognition and position the Roman literary critics have given to the power cleverly used language has on its recipients. Concentration is given to the ideas presented on achieving sublimity in a work of literature by Longinus (1st cen. BCE). Thisis an extensive study of how to depict and impose feelings and ideas to listeners. His object was to teach the poets how to transport and not persuade the listeners. The method used was to portray powerful emotion by the use of language. A well versed person in the instructions would be able to show that he is experiencing a powerful emotion, even if he was not. It is through this that he could transport the feelings to others. Works of two famous writers of Rome had been able to convey powerful yet basically different emotions, are carefully analyzed with the above discussion in mind. The poets are, Juvenal Birth 55AD), the satirist (in his Sixteen satires) and Tacitus (born 56-57AD) the Roman Historian. Both writers had expressed indignation and anger at what they were experiencing in the era they were living in. But both had used the expression and style to highlight the emotions they were experiencing. The very fact had made step aside from strict rules of grammar. Their very emotions had been faithfully presented in the way they were experienced. Hence the examples quoted etc and the argument agrees with the fact that the art in nature was the most effective of all.
  • Item
    The Union of Religion and Philosophy in Pythagoras
    (Journal of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2008) Jayasekera, K
    Pythogoras is a philosopher studied for many reasons. The intention of this was to focus on the basic number philosophy presented by Pythagoras. His philosophy had provided man with a way of life and a goal in life with notions of life after death. These are usually given to man by religions. Thus one could observe how his philosophy is connected with religion in Pythagoras. It is also believed that his first intention had been to for a group promoting new thoughts on religion. Dissatisfaction with the remaining religious thoughts would have led him to do this. Close scrutiny proves the connection of how one could harmonize and thereby purify the soul by the concentration and contemplation of the working of the universe. The connections prove interesting and enlightening to those versed with the eastern religions. His ideas on birth, rebirth and vegetarianism as well as the cycle of rebirth according to the quality of the soul of the individual are interesting. The salvation or emancipation of the soul from the cycle and thereby the ability to terminate being born again has a connection with the quality of the soul one possess at the end. And the said quality being a direct result of one’s conduct and accumulated experience is shown by this study in a thought provoking manner. The ultimate result being a responsibility of one is the ultimate verdict.
  • Item
    The Psychology of an Adopted Boy as examined by Sophocles in his Tragedy King Oedipus
    (Journal of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2008) Jayasekera, K
    King Oedipus was even referred to by Aristotle when examining the ideal type of tragedy in his Poetics.Many have commented on its merits as a tragedy that brings out the cathartic emotions of fear and pity, considered best in a tragic play. The rapid movement of plot, the presentation as well as the visual impact that made the play a success has caught the interest of many. But in this paper, the concentration is the protagonist of the play, Oedipus himself. But the analysis is made with reference to the psychology of an adopted boy. Of how, Oedipus , though a mighty king , acts and reacts as an adopted boy. The insecurity, desire to find the biological parents, indignation , the quest itself which becomes a personal one is brought in to discussion which leads to reexamine certain theories presented earlier, such as the nature of the tragic flaw etc. Would he have acted differently if he had not a personal quest? Or was it purely a result of integrity or that of security or political?
  • Item
    'Mind of the ruler when faced with challenges' - examples from the plays of Sophocles.
    (Ministry of Education and culture, 2002) Jayasekera, K
    The paper examines how Sophocles, the Greek Classical Tragedian has examined how the mind of a ruler, changes when he is faced with challenges through his tragedy Oedipus Rex. The change of personality when one believes that his people do not obey him, the manner he assumes that he has enemies, the inability to listen, to have a second thought and finally how he considers all critics as traitors to the county is examined with reference to the text of the play. The text is particularly quoted where one feels that the words reach beyond the limits and barriers of time. The study proves that the psychological state of the individual is liable to hinder sound judgment when he believes that the state and the ruler are synonymous.
  • Item
    An analysis of the ideas expressed by the ancient Greeks on literature
    (Journal of Humanities, University of Kelaniya, 2000) Jayasekera, K.
    The paper traces the ideas expressed by the early poets of ancient Greece on the value of literature, the poets and the role they played in the social, political field. The study proves that from a very early period in time creative writings of the poets were different from the ordinary writing for other practical purposes. Hence the various styles adopted the manner in which they treat words and even expression has a special twist that reaches beyond simple communication. When the introduction of literary criticism was made by the comic poet, again as a consequence of the characteristics of his comedies one observes how the actual critical criteria is for evaluation is highlighted. The paper also examines how the criteria in actual evaluation changed with the development of society. Starting with the influence of literature on society as a whole it culminates with theories presented by Aristotle where the individual feelings become the center point, though the society is a collection of individuals. This is the collective impact that literature has the ability to impose.