Humanities Flashcards
1
Q
What is an aesthetic experience?
A
An experience of beauty that inspires a feeling of pleasure
2
Q
Why is architecture considered an art?
A
Because architecture is concerned with the aesthetic effect of structures in their environment
3
Q
What are some disciplines that fall within the realm of Humanities?
A
Music, Religion, Literature, Architecture
4
Q
What is a myth?
A
Traditional stories that serve to explain some natural phenomenon, the origin of humanity, or customs or religious rites
5
Q
Logic, aesthetics, and epistemology are all branches of “______.”
A
Philosophy
6
Q
Love and the archetype of the hero are both examples of what?
A
Universal themes
7
Q
Why is a chronological timeline of events important in Humanities?
A
To see connections between cause and effect
8
Q
What are themes?
A
Unifying ideas that are developed or repeated throughout a literary or artistic work.
9
Q
What are the relationships between the humanities and technology? (Hint: 2 answers)
A
1) Technology has led to an increase in globalization by making the world smaller and connecting people together through social networks
2) Technology has increased our ability to preserve, document and share works of art, literature, and music in a way that is unprecedented.
10
Q
Which theme is found in multiple historical periods?
A
Individualism
11
Q
How do we identify themes in a literary or artistic work?
A
Look for the unifying or main ideas.
12
Q
What is true of myths? (Hint: 2 answers)
A
1) They are traditional stories of a people or culture that are told to explain natural phenomena and to record values and belief systems from generation to generation.
2) They utilize archetypes and symbols to find a deeper understanding of life.
13
Q
Define Architecture
A
Concerned with the interplay of form and function
14
Q
Define Religion
A
Can include any system of ethics, values, and beliefs.
15
Q
Define Dance
A
Part of public ceremony, ritual, or entertainment dates back to the earliest human civilizations
16
Q
Define Theater
A
Stems from the early Greeks, with their development of tragedy and comedy
17
Q
Which discipline of the Humanities is primarily concerned with critical inquiry and reasoned argument?
A
Philosophy
18
Q
The Bayeux Tapestry’s depiction of the Norman Conquest of England fulfills which purpose of art?
A
Art as political propaganda.
19
Q
What are the Humanities?
A
The study of the how the human race understands and documents the human experience through creative contributions in art, music, literature, philosophy, religion, dance, etc.
20
Q
Define Aesthetic
A
An experience of beauty that is its own justification
21
Q
Define Eros
A
Passionate or sexual love
22
Q
Define Monomyth
A
A recurrent example or model of human behavior
23
Q
Define Archetypes
A
A myth that is embraced by a majority of people throughout history
24
Q
Define Agape
A
Brotherly or selfless love
25
Why is E.O. Wilson's theory of consilience important to the study of the Humanities?
It reinforces interdisciplinary study and facilitates the exchange of information necessary to create a more holistic understanding of who we are.
26
How was Humanism reflected in the nonwestern world?
Ancient Chinese culture embraced principles in Confucianism and Buddhism that mirrored Humanist principles.
27
How does studying the Humanities increase cross-cultural communication?
It helps us to interact with and understand a variety of people from different times and different places through their creative contributions.
28
How does studying the portrayal of love over time enhance one's understanding of humanity?
The study of love in all its forms (eros, agape, and platonic love) illustrates a distinction in types of love that has captured the attention of artists.
29
What is the difference between a myth and a monomyth?
Myths can include a wide variety of narratives and archetypes. The monomyth focuses on the hero’s journey.
30
Which play was written by the Greek dramatist Sophocles?
Oedipus Rex
31
Which poet wrote The Iliad?
Homer
32
Greek architecture was based on which structure?
Post-and-Lintel
33
The Greek building most revered for its use of ratio and perspective is "________."
the Parthenon
34
Greek plays were generally shown in a/an "______."
Amphitheater
35
Roman engineering allowed the "______" to have the largest single span dome for centuries.
the Pantheon
36
In Plato's Allegory of the Cave, what do the shadows represent?
Everyday life
37
Belief in multiple gods is known as "________."
Polytheism
38
The ancient Greeks developed which form of government?
Democracy
39
Classical drama consisted of what? (Hint: 3 answers)
Tragedies, Comedies, Satyr plays
40
Summarize The Republic
Applied reason and logical thought to ideas about government and how to live a good, balanced life.
41
Summarize Oedipus Rex
A story of a man who lives his life not knowing the truth of his parentage and whose pride ultimately causes him to ignore his flawed humanity, resulting in the ultimate punishment of blindness and exile.
42
Summarize The Odyssey
An epic poem narrating the story of an ideal Greek hero who combined all the greatest virtues of Greek culture, as well as showing his interaction with the Greek pantheon of gods.
43
Summarize The Parthenon
Emphasized the themes of order and balance in its construction as a temple to the goddess Athena, patron of Athens.
44
Summarize Lysistrata
A play about heroic women who withhold sex from their husbands in order to end the Peloponnesian war and force a more democratic, egalitarian political climate.
45
Sappho's lyric poem "A Lament for Adonis" represents what major theme of the Classical Period?
The theme of humanism because it emphasizes human passions and emotions rather than idealized gods.
46
Why is the statue The Metropolitan Kouros a notable example of Greek sculpture?
It utilized vertical and horizontal symmetry in creating the human form.
47
What was an innovation during the Classical Period that was based on balance and reason?
The development of Western philosophy and the ideas that underlie the modern scientific method.
48
What is the primary difference between Greek and Roman societies?
The Greeks lived in democratically-run city-states while the Romans had a larger centralized republic and eventually empire.
49
How do the visual art and architecture of Greece and Rome differ? (Hint: 2 answers)
1 )Much of the sculpture in Greece was focused on honoring deities and elevating the human form while Rome used art predominantly to glorify the Roman Empire.
2) The Greeks relied on post-and-lintel construction, and the Romans developed the use of columns and arches to design larger buildings.
50
What were 2 themes of humanism in the Classical Period?
1) Greek philosophers questioned the truth of ancient religious myths in which gods acted unjustly.
2) Aristotle investigated qualities that led to human excellence and made for a good life.
51
Which of the following types of cultural exchange took place during the Classical Period?
The Greeks borrowed the alphabet of the Phoenicians and used Egyptian influences in their sculpture.
52
What were the 2 main means of cultural exchange during the Classical Period?
1) Greece and Rome’s proximity to the Mediterranean Sea facilitated the exchange of goods and ideas with other civilizations.
2) The Silk Road provided access to Asia, allowing Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Daoism to filter into Europe along with goods.
53
Which 2 aspects of life today are directly influenced by the Classical Period?
Democracy and U.S. National Monuments
54
How does the contemporary film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? represent classical influence?
The protagonist’s journey draws on a number of motifs, themes, and characters from the classical epic The Odyssey.
55
In his work, The Republic, Plato describes how best to create a fair and orderly society. What most closely represents his argument?
People are able to think rationally, but they are they are predisposed to act in their own self-interest, so they should be ruled by a philosopher-king who makes decisions based on reason and justice.
56
How did Aristotle's teaching reflect humanism in the Classical Period?
He argued that reason is necessary to guide humans to right behavior and that achieving balance through the Golden Mean creates a virtuous character.
57
Which musical fragments were dedicated to the god Apollo and are among the earliest examples of written music?
The Delphic Hymns
58
Which 2 themes were introduced in the Classical Period?
1) A focus on balance and reason
| 2) A focus on humanism and truth
59
Historians generally consider the Renaissance to be a cultural and intellectual bridge between which two eras?
The Middle Ages and the modern era
60
The Renaissance triggered the rise of "______" literature that reflected the everyday life of the period.
Vernacular
61
Which figures from the Renaissance worked in sculpture?
Michelangelo
62
The Renaissance revived "______."
Classical Greek and Roman culture
63
The phrase "To be, or not to be: that is the question" is from which of the following plays?
Hamlet
64
Who initiated the Protestant Reformation?
Martin Luther
65
During the Renaissance, science was regarded as a form of "black magic." True or False?
False
66
What was the principle force for change in Renaissance religion?
Reform movements
67
What does "renaissance" (French) mean?
Rebirth
68
What is a work from the Renaissance Period?
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
69
Describe Michelangelo's David
Sculpture emphasizing the renewed learning from classical sources that focused on ideal human forms.
70
Describe Madrigals
Unaccompanied vocal works that employed the polyphonic use of 3-6 voices and were secular in nature.
71
Describe The Courtier
Dialogue that emphasized how members of a Renaissance court could portray their own unique personalities and self-fashioning.
72
Describe The Prince
Renaissance political dissertation on government that advocates the idea that the end justifies the means.
73
Describe Young Hare (Durer)
A work of Reformation art, this watercolor signifies an interest in the natural world, depicting the subject in fine detail with almost photographic accuracy.
74
What was true of society during the Renaissance period? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) Religious reformers such as Martin Luther split with the Catholic church, ultimately resulting in the formation of Protestantism.
2) Many intellectuals broadened their perspectives beyond Church teachings after the discovery and spread of previously “lost” Classical writings.
75
Which was emphasized by Renaissance humanism?
Humanists sought to educate the whole person, including the physical, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of human beings.
76
What theme from the Renaissance is shown in "School of Athens?"
Classicism
77
How is Leonardo's Mona Lisa representative of Renaissance painting?
It treats its subject with realistic detail and perspective.
78
How does the speech from Shakespeare's Hamlet reflect the themes of the Renaissance?
The speech reflects the values of humanism by emphasizing the power of learning and an individual’s use of it.
79
What was Martin Luther's role in advocating Christian doctrine during the Renaissance?
Martin Luther was a priest and theologian who challenged papal infallibility.
80
How did advancements in science lead to innovations in other disciplines during the Renaissance period?
Scientific knowledge about human physiology created greater understanding of how the human eye perceives light and distance, which led painters to experiment with techniques of perspective and chiaroscuro.
81
Which literary devices were popular during the Renaissance? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) Soliloquy, in which a character speaks aloud to himself on stage, giving the audience access to his inner thoughts.
2) Blank verse, which is poetic verse written in unrhymed iambic pentameter.
82
Who wrote the satirical essay, In Praise of Folly, which criticized the corruption and abuses of Catholic doctrine in parts of the Roman Catholic Church?
Erasmus
83
How does art from the Renaissance illustrate cultural exchange and diversity? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) Renaissance artists such as the glassmakers in Italy received inspiration from Muslim artisanal glassware.
2) Carved ivory from Africa was featured in the homes of European royalty during the Renaissance.
84
Who were 3 Enlightenment philosophers?
John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Denis Diderot
85
The Age of Enlightenment was also called "_____."
The Age of Reason
86
The painting Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David is from what period?
The Neoclassical Period
87
The classical movement in music falls between which two periods?
The Renaissance and Baroque Periods
88
Why did the music of the Neoclassical Period differ from Baroque music.
It featured more variety in orchestral texture
89
What about the Neoclassical theater is true?
It featured intricate and elaborate costumes and sets.
90
Which composer was a classical composer?
Mozart
91
What is Neoclassicism reject?
The ostentatious displays of Baroque works and embraced harmony and balance.
92
What artist worked within the Neoclassical movement?
Angelica Kauffmann
93
Enlightenment thinking valued all of the following:
Rationalism, progress, clarity
94
Describe Tartuffe
A play by Moliere that utilizes satire to expose hypocrisy and offer religious and social criticism.
95
Describe Symphony No. 101 in D Major
Musical composition by Haydn in which the strings create a rhythmic sound that imitates a ticking clock.
96
Describe Encyclopédie
A 35-volume compilation of human knowledge that is viewed as one of the crowning achievements of Enlightenment thinking.
97
Describe Gulliver's Travels
Jonathan Swift's satire of human nature.
98
Describe Oath of the Horatii
Painting by Jacques-Louis David that shows three brothers swearing their allegiance to Rome and that became an inspiration for French revolutionaries.
99
What would a Deist philosopher during the Enlightenment subscribe to?
A Deist would believe that God created the universe and decreed its order.
100
Which philosophical approach relies on direct observation and experimentation?
Empiricism
101
What is true of Classical music?
It coincided with the Neoclassical movement in the visual arts and emphasized lyrical melodies over more homophonic texture.
102
How did slave narratives, such as The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, affect cultural exchange and diversity within the Enlightenment period?
Social progress was aided through realistic depictions of the living conditions of slaves.
103
How does the Neoclassical Period influence contemporary culture?
Contemporary political satire, including shows like The Daily Show, traces its roots to the use of political satire in the Neoclassical Period.
104
What were the major themes of the Enlightenment? (Hint: 3 answers)
Deism, Empiricism, Order
105
Why is Voltaire's novel Candide a significant work from the Enlightenment?
It is skeptical of philosophers who believe this is the best of all possible worlds.
106
Why is Jacques-Louis David's painting The Death of Marat typical of the Neoclassical style? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) It uses sharp, clean lines and chiaroscuro.
| 2) The figure has a sculpted quality, inspired by Classical statues.
107
How did the rise of capitalism affect cultural exchange in the Enlightenment?
The rise of capitalism helped to increase the exchange of information, allowing intellectuals to form new opinions rather than relying on the bias of tradition.
108
Why did many Enlightenment thinkers reject slavery?
They embraced the dignity of individual human reason and thought, regardless of racial background.
109
What are characteristic uses of political satire?
To criticize and entertain
110
How do themes of the Enlightenment contrast with themes of the Renaissance Period? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) The Enlightenment valued the order and clarity of classical art, while the Renaissance Period focused on the classical ideas of humanism.
2) The Enlightenment embraced Deism’s understanding of God as a grand architect, while the Renaissance Period explored Catholic and Protestant teachings.
111
Which famous work was written by Mary Shelley?
Frankenstein
112
Which figure from Greek mythology featured in Romantic works is a symbol of freedom and rebellion?
Prometheus
113
Romantic architecture in England revived the "____" movement.
Gothic
114
Romantic operas embraced themes of "______."
Heroism and nationalism.
115
"_____" literature evoked horror and often featured sinister, ambitious, and self-serving heroes.
Gothic
116
"____" refers to the glorification of distant, foreign cultures and people.
Exoticism
117
What signaled the shift from agriculture-based economy to one centered around industrialization, mechanized labor, and urbanization?
Industrial Revolution
118
What is a unique trait of the Romantic hero?
Romantic heroes are sometimes misunderstood as they follow their personal passion.
119
"______" is an example of a profound event in the Romantic Period that had an impact on a country's national identity.
The French Revolution
120
Who is an English Romantic poet?
Percy Bysshe Shelley
121
Describe Moby Dick
An epic novel set on the high seas that recounts one man’s futile quest to dominate nature.
122
Describe The Raven
A Gothic poem that represents the speaker’s persistent grief over the death of his beloved.
123
Describe Leaves of Grass
A poem in free verse that explores the speaker’s connection to humanity and to nature
124
Describe Frankenstein
A Gothic novel in which a scientist, in pursuit of ultimate knowledge, brings a corpse to life.
125
Describe The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
A first-person account that documents the inhumanity and human rights abuses enacted by slavery, which helped to gather support for the abolitionist movement.
126
What were the themes of the Romantic period? (Hint: 3 answers)
Exoticism, Nationalism, Passion
127
What best describes the role of nature in the Romantic Period? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) Nature was seen as a source of inspiration, and Romantic artists sought to represent the majesty and wisdom of nature in their works.
2) Nature was seen as emotionally evocative and sublime and was used as a source of artistic inspiration.
128
What best describes the Byronic hero?
The Byronic hero is an intense and passionate figure who often defies authority and rebels against social conformity.
129
What best describes Transcendentalism?
A rejection of Empiricism and an emphasis on nature as a source of inspiration.
130
How does the painting Saturn Devouring his Son by Francisco de Goya exemplify the characteristics of Romantic art?
It draws upon myth to explore irrationality, superstition, and the dark side of artistic creativity.
131
What is true of architecture during the Romantic period? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) The architects of the Romantic Period embraced the Gothic Revival, a movement celebrating the religiosity of older Gothic buildings.
2) The architects of the Romantic Period experimented with different building materials, such as iron, steel, and glass.
132
How does Chopin's Nocturne Opus 27, Number 1 display characteristics of Romantic period music?
The piece has drastic tempo changes and shifts in mood that evoke strong changes in emotion.
133
Which Romantic theme is reflected in William Wordsworth's The Prelude?
Nature as a source of solace and inspiration.
134
What is true of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125?
It is longer and more dramatic than prior symphonies and utilizes many musicians, including vocalists.
135
What influenced cultural exchange and diversity in the Romantic period?
Exoticism in art and literature reflected the fascination Europeans had with non-Western cultures.
136
What were American composers of hymns and church music inspired by during the Romantic period?
They looked abroad for inspiration, drawing from the works of the great Classical composers of Europe.
137
Which musical technique popular in the Romantic period is still used in contemporary music today?
Chromaticism
138
Which American patriotic song had its roots in the Romantic period?
Star-Spangled Banner
139
How do the themes of the Romantic Period contrast with the themes of the Neoclassical Period? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) The themes of the Romantic Period are influenced by revolution and nationalism whereas the themes of the Neoclassical Period are influenced by advancements in science, philosophy, and politics.
2) The themes of the Romantic Period reflect the importance of nature as a source of wisdom and beauty whereas the themes of the Neoclassical Period reflect a rational and scientific exploration of the nature.
140
Which development MOST contributed to the rise of Realist literature?
The Industrial Revolution
141
Which movement lured immigrants and farmworkers to American cities in the second half of the 19th century?
Industrialism
142
Which two periods overlapped?
Realism and Romanticism
143
What informed Realism's depiction of nature?
Darwinism
144
What is the philosophical view that the only reality that exists is the one that can be seen through the natural sciences.
Scientific materialism
145
What was developed during the 19th century and contributed to Realism's desire for accurate portrayal of reality?
Photography
146
Which philosophy argues that ethical decisions must be made for the greater good?
Utilitarianism
147
Charles Dickens was a Realist author known for depicting the grimness of the Industrial Revolution in "_____," his native country.
England
148
One chief concern that Realist playwrights shared with Realist authors and artists was "______."
Showing likeness to life
149
Which musical styles was composer John Philip Sousa best known for?
Military march
150
Describe On the Origin of Species
This work presents the theory of evolution, which shows that species evolve over time by way of natural selection.
151
Describe The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
This novel examines race relations and follows the story of a young boy and a runaway slave who travel down the Mississippi river on a raft.
152
Describe War and Peace
This epic novel draws from letters, journals, and other historical reports and examines the Napoleonic invasion of Russia in 1812 through the eyes of five aristocratic Russian families.
153
Describe The Awakening
Set in New Orleans, this novel tells the story of an artistic and sensitive woman who struggles against the limitations and expectations placed on her gender.
154
Describe Hard Times
A novel that explicitly critiques the philosophy of Utilitarianism by depicting the hypocrisy of the rich, the plight of the poor, and the gritty realities of industrialization.
155
Which themes were rejected by the Realist period? (Hint: 2 answers)
Mysticism and The Sublime
156
French painter Gustave Courbet once said: "I have never seen angels. Show me an angel and I will paint one." Which philosophical approach from the Realist period does this quotation express?
Scientific Materialism
157
Which was a major artistic innovation during the Realist period?
The invention of photography
158
What best describes Realist theater of the late 19th-century?
The plays attempted to accurately depict ordinary life, using everyday vocabulary and exploring moral problems that would be relevant to audience members of the time.
159
What best represents the beliefs and writings of 19th-century philosopher, John Stuart Mill?
Mill believed that governments should intervene only when necessary to ensure the greater good and that women should have access to education and be given the right to vote.
160
Which Realist authors is best remembered for works that addressed social inequalities and the struggles of the working class in 19th century England?
Charles Dickens
161
Why is Henry Ossawa Tanner's painting, The Thankful Poor, a significant work of the Realist Period?
Tanner’s painting is widely regarded as a classic portrayal of African American dignity, and it enables viewers to relate emotionally to the man and the boy.
162
What is true of composer Claude Debussy?
Debussy experimented with unusual scale patterns, including scales from Eastern Asian music.
163
Which late 19th-century art movements were inspired by the ancient traditions of Japanese woodblock painting? (Hint: 3 answers)
Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Post-Impressionism
164
Van Gogh's Courtesan reflects what movement in the Realist Period?
Japonisme
165
Which philosophy from the Realist period still influence political systems in the present day?
Marxism
166
In what ways is the Realist philosophy of Utilitarianism still relevant in present-day America?
The Utilitarian emphasis on the greatest good for the greatest number is reflected in many of our environmental policies, which work to safeguard our environment so as to protect our natural resources and ensure the overall health of society.
167
How do themes of the Realist Period differ from the themes of the Romantic Period? (Hint: 2 answers)
1) Nature is treated with deep scientific and material interest in the Realist period, while in the Romantic period, nature is valued for its aesthetic function, in which it is often seen as a rich source of artistic inspiration.
2) The Realists emphasize individualism by examining how individuals make complicated moral choices within the context of a larger society, while in Romanticism, the individual is often celebrated for being rebellious and rejecting social conventions.
