The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt
- 1. The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt is a profound exploration of the impact of ancient philosophy on modern thought, framed around the discovery of a long-lost manuscript of Lucretius's poem, De Rerum Natura, during the Renaissance. Greenblatt eloquently describes how this rediscovery catalyzed a seismic shift in the intellectual landscape of Europe, challenging prevailing religious doctrines and fostering a new appreciation for humanism and the natural world. He intricately weaves together historical narrative, literary analysis, and personal reflection, illustrating how Lucretius's ideas about pleasure, the random nature of the universe, and the importance of empirical observation resonate even in contemporary society. The book not only highlights the significance of a singular text but also contemplates the broader implications of learning and the transformative power of ideas, arguing that the 'swerve' of the atom, a metaphor for chance, reflects the unexpected turns of history and thought that continue to shape our understanding of existence.
What is the subtitle of Stephen Greenblatt's book 'The Swerve'?
A) The Birth of the Renaissance
B) How the World Became Modern
C) A Tale of Two Books
D) The Lost Poem of Lucretius
- 2. Who is the central historical figure in 'The Swerve'?
A) Poggio Bracciolini
B) Niccolò Machiavelli
C) Lorenzo de' Medici
D) Francesco Petrarch
- 3. Who was the author of the philosophical poem 'De rerum natura'?
A) Lucretius
B) Cicero
C) Epicurus
D) Seneca
- 4. What is the English translation of 'De rerum natura'?
A) On the Nature of Things
B) On the Nature of the Universe
C) Concerning Natural Philosophy
D) The Way Things Are
- 5. What is the term Lucretius used for the unpredictable, slight deviation of atoms?
A) Logos
B) Eudaimonia
C) Aporia
D) Clinamen
- 6. What was the prevailing attitude of the medieval Church toward Epicurean philosophy?
A) It was considered heretical and dangerous.
B) It was largely ignored as irrelevant.
C) It was used as the basis for church doctrine.
D) It was embraced as compatible with Christian faith.
- 7. What literary prize did 'The Swerve' win in 2012?
A) The National Book Award
B) The Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction
C) The Man Booker Prize
D) The Bancroft Prize
- 8. According to Epicureanism, what are the gods like?
A) They are a single, all-powerful, personal god.
B) They are vengeful and must be constantly appeased.
C) They do not exist at all.
D) They are perfect, indifferent beings who do not intervene in human affairs.
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