Literature: Development Throughout History

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Introduction
The Purpose of Literature and Writing
Mesopotamia and First Instances of Writing
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Egyptian Literature
Egyptian Funeral and Religious Texts
Chinese Literary History
Conclusion
References

Introduction

Literature stands among humanitys oldest artistic endeavors, emerging quickly after the invention of the written language. Compared to regular writing, historical records or other types of text, literature is created to relay a narrative, either realistic or fictional in nature. It is a creative work that favors the use of different phrases, capable of transferring across messages, meanings and ideas. Humans ability to write literature can be seen as a testament to their large creativity, a capacity to know, learn, remember and analyze large amounts of information. The knowledge of an author, their belief system, or their intended message all of it is captured through text and moved across the ages to other people. With the evolution of language and the written word, the capacity of people to create stories also changed and developed, being responsible for the creation of new literary genres, traditions and customs.

The history of literature is storied, spanning multiple centuries, civilizations and approaches, becoming a testament to the peoples universal drive to create. This work will attempt to examine the development of literature throughout history in many of its iterations. The purpose behind literature will be explored, as well as its significance in the lives of individuals. Ancient societies and their literary works will be made central to this discussion. By examining and analyzing works of old, it is possible to understand the modern literary scene and its complexity. Men, in all societies, sought to present messages to others as a form of communication, education, instruction or entertainment. The desire to share ones thoughts or entrust knowledge to others is the driving force behind much of literature.

The Purpose of Literature and Writing

The written word holds an important role for people and society as a whole. A variety of different separate civilizations inventing this concept can be seen as proof of its importance. Despite great variance in culture, history, background, territory and custom, writing was invented in many ancient societies after the creation of language. It is difficult to determine who precisely was the first to invent writing as it is understood by historians, and most sources agree that four different civilizations achieved this feat around the same time period. Egyptian hieroglyphics, early Chinese scrips, Mayan texts and southwest Asias cuneiform writing were all invented around the fourth millennium B.C. (Love & Wimsatt, 2019). These writing styles used different means to inscribe messages and evolved differently from each other. However, all of them undoubtedly fulfilled many needs of ancient societies.

Writing is a means of preserving meaning, of storing and re-using information that may become a part of peoples daily life. It is also a means to communicate, a tool of interaction and an exchange of ideas. In daily life, it can be utilized to provide instructions, keep track of financial considerations, and many other things. Similarly, literature is an offshoot of standard writing, one that accomplishes specific goals by existing. Comparatively, literature is more than simply writing or recording, being imbued with additional meaning or intent. Literature can entertain others, provide important life lessons, or tell cautionary tales. It is a tool of creation and a method of artistic expression, one which often pushes a persons language skills to their limits. In the constraints of society, literature persuades others, informs them about something, and gives the writer a capacity to express their ideas. There is no singular purpose in all writing, and the ideas that can be gained from it will vary wildly from interpretation to interpretation. It is vital to see writing as a creative process first and a public service second, compiling many different goals into a single piece of writing.

Mesopotamia and First Instances of Writing

Mesopotamia, undoubtedly, can be considered the cradle of human civilization, a starting point for many artistic and written endeavors. Previously placed in the Western Asia region, Mesopotamia played a crucial role in the development of modern human societies, being far more advanced than people may believe. People of this region were capable craftsmen and inventors, being responsible for the earliest human cities, irrigation canals, temples and feats of architecture. Sumerian cities even had their own toilet systems, owning to the need to maintain public hygiene. Their linguistic tradition was well-developed and vast, owing to a complex religious-centered belief systems. Sumerians worshipped many different gods, each of whom was connected to specific areas of Mesopotamia. The myths and legends of this civilization often talked about hero-kings, and the lives of gods, while also including the near-universal flood myth. Similarly, Mesopotamian languages were among the first to be written down via cuneiform tablets. By inscribing fresh clay tablets with carvings, the Sumerian people invented writing. In daily life, writing was an important tool, commonly used for the same purposes it is used today. Record-keeping, financial transactions, exchange of letters and other matters were all handled in written form. Similarly, the lives and historic feats of important people kings and heroes were recorded in writing as well.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

When discussing Sumerian literary works, it is impossible to understate the importance of The Epic of Gilgamesh. No other early works of Mesopotamian writing can be considered this vital to the history of literature. Despite its age, the epic is still studied for its literary value, its use of poetry, metaphor and storytelling capability. The work, recorded in a collection of clay tablets, is considered the oldest surviving piece of literature in the world. As it is found today, not all of the original tablets survived, and the text on some of the present ones is damaged. However, the piece still presents incredible value to history, archeology and literature. In its time, the text was also significant, warranting a number of adaptations and alternative versions.

The literary work itself can be seen as semi-fictional, containing both accounts of real historical events and fantastical depictions of otherworldly feats. The epic describes the life and rule of Gilgamesh, a ruler of the ancient city of Uruk (Love & Wimsatt, 2019). Gilgamesh was by no means the only significant king of Uruk, and many others were considered heroic figures by the Sumerians. However, only his feats were described by the epic, forever etching them into history and popular culture. His character in the epic is significant not only because of the mythical or superhuman qualities Gilgamesh presented but also because of the changes in the kings personality that occurred throughout the story. Beginning the story as a tyrant, the man-god develops and grows as a result of his experiences, becoming an admirable and respected ruler. Both the accounts of the fantastical battles Gilgamesh partook in and his journeys with his friend Enkidu can be seen as a foundation for the modern heroic story. Compared to a regular historical account of a rulers life, there is a clear moral and thematic throughline in the work, highlighting the importance of friendship, kindness, heroism and other positive qualities. In this way, the oldest surviving literary tale holds up as a tool for informing others, transferring ideas and creatively interpreting real-life events.

Egyptian Literature

The creation of early Egyptian writing, as mentioned previously, happened around the same time Mesopotamian writing emerged. It served common utility-centered purposes, such as naming specific people, locations or facilities in order to identify them. The ability to write to be preserved for a long time was seen as a demonstration of its divine nature and its connection with gods. Gradually, the application and use of writing in peoples lives expanded, culminating in the creation of offering lists. Much like many other customs and rituals of ancient Egyptian society, early works of writing were closely related to death and the afterlife. In particular, offering lists served as a way to commemorate a life of a person and help their life after death to be sufficiently prosperous (Lichtheim, 2019). Believing in the immortality of the human being, ancient Egyptians focused heavily on burial rites, funeral proceedings and worship of the dead. The offering lists decorated tombs of both rulers and common people, detailing all of the proper offerings the deceased person should receive. Depending on the wealth and status of an individual, it was possible to further extend the offering list made in their tomb, signifying their important position. Researchers propose that offering lists were precisely the type of writing that gradually evolved into literature (Lichtheim, 2019). Slowly changing in size and scope, these pieces of text started focusing more on the achievements and accomplishments of people instead of simply listing their names or titles (Lichtheim, 2019). This change laid the groundwork for the autobiographical genre and evolved with the eras to be described in both prose and poetry.

Egyptian Funeral and Religious Texts

When discussing the oldest significant works of literature, the Egyptian Pyramid texts can be discussed. Pyramid texts, owning to their name, are a collection of texts found within Egyptian pyramids, used as decorations for pharaohs tombs. As mentioned previously, afterlife rites and burials played a central role in Egyptian culture, making the process of decorating tombs extremely important. Pyramid texts were a part of such decorations, inscribed into the walls themselves instead of any paper or clay material. Various rituals and offerings to the Egyptian gods were inscribed into the walls, as well as specific instructions for proceedings. These can include utterances for pharaohs to rise from their tomb after death, ways for them to reach the heavens, and descriptions of their lives, among other things (Mercer, 2020). The texts held large significance for both the populace at the time and modern literary scholars. As a contemporary work, they partake in the worship of important rulers, uphold traditional Egyptian customs and serve a commemorative purpose for the dead. In modern understanding, they are also the earliest example of Egyptian literature and a clear example of how culture influences the development of the written language.

Chinese Literary History

The development of literary art in China has expansive and varied roots. Compared to places like Egypt and Mesopotamia, it becomes harder to discern which work of literature is definitively the first of its kind, given a large variety of surviving Chinese texts. The history of Chinese writing and literature itself extends through many millennia, serving utilitarian, professional and creative purposes. An interesting aspect of Chinese literature is its heavy focus on philosophical discussion, coupled with a wide variety of ideologies that influence it, including Confucianism, Daoism, and others. Some existing early works are historical or military records, others are transcripts of legal proceedings. Many books and pieces of literature have made a significant impact on Chinas state organization, the system of beliefs and values. In particular, ideas of self-cultivation, rituals, propriety and peace largely stemmed from The Five Classics a collection of prose and poetry from an early Chinese period (Asif & Bo Ling, 2018). The nation used writing as a tool to share common morals, educate the people and encourage virtuous or rule-abiding practices. To this end, Chinese literature presents itself as a definitive authority in promoting specific modes of conduct.

Conclusion

Throughout history, literature has developed and played many different roles. Depending on the society and its people, the language grew in its own unique ways in order to help people communicate between themselves or share specific ideas. In all cases, the growth of the literary field has a close connection to a civilizations traditions, history, culture and customs. For ancient Mesopotamians, the first instances of literature were a way to tell an engaging story and deliver an emotionally-driven moralistic message while also tying together the divine and the common. Regular writing, on the other hand, was used for far more mundane purposes and helped people live their day-to-day lives easier. In Egypt, writing also developed into a tool of the masses but was much more closely connected with death and the afterlife. The pyramid texts and early offering lists both worked as a method to pay respects to the people that passed away and also honored the Egyptian gods. Both religion and common practice intersect within Egyptian literature, offering a look into how the people of many centuries prior saw the world. In the case of Chinese literature, its effects on society were also profound. Putting aside the creative merits of poetry and prose. Chinas early works have had specific applications within society and a role to play in its organization. In order to promote morals and beliefs that were seen as beneficial to both society and its people, Chinese books highlighted the importance of rituals, proper conduct and respect. Furthermore, they also set specific bars of expectations for government officials or other important positions, fulfilling the regulatory role legislative works often have. As a whole, literature has had many different effects on the world around it, working to transform and enhance the human experience. Early works of writing are a mode of self-expression, a tool for education, and a piece of instruction combined, demonstrating the diversity of human thought.

References

Asif, M., & Bo Ling, Y. (2018). Belt and Road initiative: A spirit of Chinese cultural thought.International Journal of Business and Management, 13(12), 9. Web.

Lichtheim, M. (2019). Ancient Egyptian literature. University of California Press.

Love, A. C., & Wimsatt, W. (2019). Beyond the meme: Development and structure in cultural evolution. University of Minnesota Press.

Mercer, S. (2020). The Pyramid Texts. Global Grey.

Click Here To Order Now!