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/lit/ - Literature

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2408562 No.2408562 [Reply] [Original]

So my school (I'm 18 before you say anything) is running a University Challenge style competition, pupils vs. teachers.

I've been chosen basically as no-one else in my team knows anything about Literature, Philosophy etc.

I know a lot about very old literature (Greek and Roman Mythology, Homer, Ovid, Virgil etc.) and stuff like The Divine Comedy, Cantebury Tales and The Prince. And I know a fair amount about newer literature and philosophy, especially Existentialism, Modernism and Post-Modernism.

My problem lies in the mid section (roughly 1500-1850ish)

I know very little of the philosophical thoughts and changes through those times as well as really important authors like Shakespeare, Blake, Burns, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Wordsworth, Austen, Dickens etc.

How do I go about learning as much as I can without reading shitloads of books? Are there like "dummies guide to philosophy" that aren't either too basic or too lengthy?

TLDR: I need help learning everything.

>> No.2408576

well you got the reformation and the counter reformation which is a huge deal

and then 1700s onwards most philosophers started to walk away from god but still in some subtle (and not so subtle) ways use religion in their thought

>> No.2408578

>>2408576
>1700s onwards most philosophers started to walk away from god

Nope.

>> No.2408582

Don't worry so much man. It's not that big of a deal is it?

>> No.2408585

>>2408582

Not particularly, I mean the questions could be on anything. I'd like to know that kind of stuff anyway. Not just for the quiz.

>> No.2408597

>>2408576
>1700s onwards most philosophers started to walk away from god

and that's why the most influential philosopher of the 19th century was a Christian, right.

>> No.2408602

>>2408597

Nietzsche was Christian?

>> No.2408606
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2408606

>>2408602
>Nietzsche
>more influential than the man i'm referring to

hint: i'm clearly referring to Kierkegaard

>> No.2408607

Anyone got any ideas of stuff I can read to get a decent overview?

>> No.2408611

>>2408602
Even if he isn't the one being referred too. He wasn't an atheist. He scoffed at it.

>> No.2408612

From my understanding of University Challenge, you could sort of just read up on the dates that certain books/philosophical thoughts were published because the questions normally have dates in them.

Oh and if you get a quote and it's witty, it's Oscar Wilde.

>> No.2408619

>>2408578

They were more questioning, but still loosely religious I'd say.

>> No.2408627

>>2408619
here, i'll fix your sentence to be more accurate.


and then 1700s onwards most philosophers started to walk away from the church but still in many cases were very devout to their own specific beliefs in religion and god, and denied the requirement of organized religion.

>> No.2408637

>Be really into Kafka
>Have read all his stuff at least twice
>Know a fair amount about him as well

>Question comes up on UC where the answer is Kafka
>Don't get it right

Yeah, good luck,

>> No.2408640

>>2408627

Better yet.

>> No.2408656

Please respond.

>> No.2408687

Unrelated but what's up with Paxman's pronounciation of Don Quixote.

He pronounces is Don Kwixoht, Don Keehowtee, Don Keyyohtay