Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: By means of literary, linguistic and comparative literary approaches, this study examines the literary structure of the alphabetical acrostic poems in the Psalms. First, a literary approach is used to analyze the form and content of each alphabetical acrostic poem to show that the literary structure of the poems is varied. Selected Psalms 9-10, 111 and 112 are translated from the Hebrew and compared to ancient Near Eastern languages especially Akkadian and Ugaritic. Second, by means of linguistic approaches, the literary structure of each poem is determined on both micro and macro levels using the researcher’s own translations of these psalms. Furthermore, a comparative literary approach is employed to compare the forms of ancient Near Eastern acrostics, in particular Akkadian, Egyptian and Ugaritic poems, to Hebrew acrostics. The analysis reveals both similarities with other ancient Near Eastern forms as well as the uniqueness of the Hebrew alphabetical acrostic poems. Both linguistic and literary insights are used to determine the relationship between the different forms. The findings suggest that the alphabetical acrostic poems were probably written around or after 1000 B.C.E. since the ancient Near Eastern poems were written before 1000 B.C.E. The unique 22-line form of the Hebrew alphabetical acrostics also indicates that Hebrew thought was distinct from what can be observed in other ancient Near Eastern texts. On the basis of this research, a conclusion is reached and suggestions for future research are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Deur literêre, linguistiese en vergelykende literêre benaderings ondersoek hierdie studie die literêre struktuur van die alfabetiese akrostiese gedigte in die Psalms. Eerstens word ‘n literêre benadering gebruik om die vorm en inhoud van elke alfabetiese lettervers te ontleed om aan te toon dat die literêre struktuur van die gedigte verskillend is. Die gekose Psalms 9-10, 111 en 112 word uit die Hebreeus vertaal en in vergelyking met die Ou-Nabye-Oosterse tale, veral Akkadiese en Ugarities, bespreek. Tweedens, deur linguistiese benaderings, word die literêre struktuur van elke gedig op beide mikro-en makro vlakke bepaal deur gebruik te maak van die navorser se eie vertalings van hierdie psalms. Verder, word ‘n vergelykende literêre benadering aangewend om die vorms van die Ou-Nabye- Oosterse akrostiese gedigte, in die besonder Akkadies, Egiptiese en Ugaritiese gedigte, met Hebreeuse akrostiese gedigte te vergelyk. Die ontleding toon die ooreenkomste met ander antieke Nabye- Oosterse vorms sowel as die uniekheid van die Hebreeuse alfabetiese akrostiese gedigte. Beide linguistiese en literêre insigte word gebruik om die verhouding tussen die verskillende vorms te bepaal. Die bevindinge dui daarop dat die alfabetiese akrostiese gedigte waarskynlik geskryf is rondom of later as 1000 vC, angesien die antieke Nabye-Oosterse gedigte voor 1000 vC geskryf is. Die unieke 22-reël vorm van die Hebreeuse alfabetiese akrostiese gedigte dui ook aan dat die Hebreeuse denke te onderskei is van wat in ander antieke Nabye-Oosterse tekste gereflekteer word. Gebaseer op hierdie navorsing, word tot ‘n gevolgtrekking gekom, en word voorstelle vir toekomstige navorsing gemaak.

This report examines Porphyry’s De antro nympharum and its eclectic mixture of philosophy, allegory, and mysticism in the form of a Homeric commentary. The paper situates Porphyry’s commentary in the broader tradition of Homeric interpretation with special attention to Stoic exegesis and Platonic views on poetry and myth. It also contextualizes Porphyry’s philosophy in terms of the mystery cults, particularly Mithraism, that had grown very popular by Porphyry’s time. The paper argues that Porphyry devised a practice of reading intended to promote a level of philosophical contemplation beyond the level of rational discourse, in keeping with the Neoplatonic philosophy of his teacher, Plotinus, and that this practice is especially evident in the De antro nympharum. / text

The focus of this thesis is on Xhosa oral and written poetry. The discussion in the thesis is based on the information from existing literature, the responses from the questionnaires and the interviews with some Xhosa iimbongi (person who sings praises) who have reflected on their personal experiences. In addition to this, S.E.K. Mqhayi is at the centre of discussion because as a prominent Xhosa imbongi he features in both the oral and the written world.

La présente étude vise à apporter une première approche de l'oeuvre d'une figure encore peu connue de l'histoire littéraire, Armand Guibert (1906-1990), à la fois poète, critique, essayiste, et médiateur. Il s'agira plus précisément de mettre l'accent sur son travail de poète et sur une conception de l'écriture poétique plutôt originale fondée sur la notion de « réaction ». Durant l'entre-deux-guerres, alors que la plupart des écrivains et intellectuels de l'époque tentent de donner à l'écriture un véritable pouvoir sur le cour de l'Histoire, Guibert invite le poète à être « réactionnaire ». En 1937, il développe ainsi uneprise de position radicale pour la « Poésie d'abord », dans un recueil d'essais et d'articles critiques du même nom. Il appelle le poète à « réagir » aux événements tout en préservant son langage de tout asservissement. Cette conception de la poésie, oscillant entre la proclamation de sa suprématie, de son autonomie et celle de son influence sur l’humanité ne l'empêchera pas lui-même d'être au plus près des événements qui bouleverseront le XXe siècle. La première partie de cette étude aborde la notion de « réaction » d'un point de vue théorique en s'appuyant sur l'analyse de Poësie d'abord. La seconde partie examine la posture adoptée par Armand Guibert face à plusieurs événements cruciaux de l'Histoire : la Seconde Guerre Mondiale, la Libération et la période de la décolonisation. Dans un dernier temps, ce travail met l'accent sur la « réaction » poétique de Guibert à partir de l'analyse de ses propres recueils, et ce en tentant de mieux saisir toute sa place dans l'Histoire poétique du XXe siècle. / The current study aims to give an initial appreciation of the work of a still little known figure in literary history, namely Armand Guibert (1906-1990) who was at one and the same time a poet, critic, essayist and mediator. More precisely it is a case of stressing his work as a poet and a rather original concept of poetic writing based on the notion of “reaction”. During the period between the Wars, when most writers and intellectuals of the age were trying to give writing real influence over the course of history, Guibert invited the poet to be a “reactionary”. In 1937 he thus developed a radical stance in favour of Poësie d'abord, in a collection of essays and critical articles of the same name. He calls upon the poet to “react” to events, whilst preserving his language from any semblance of subservience. This concept of poetry, oscillating between the proclamation of its supremacy, its autonomy and its influence over humanity would not prevent him from himself being as close as possible to events that were to turn the twentieth century upside down. The first part of this study tackles the notion of “reaction” from a theoretical point of view, based on an analysis of Poësie d'abord. The second part examines the stanceadopted by Armand Guibert in the face of several crucial historical events: the Second World War, the Liberation and the period of decolonisation. Finally this work stresses the poetical “reaction” of Guibert based on an analysis of collections of his own work and, in so doing, to better define his place in the poetical history of the twentieth century.

O romantismo literário brasileiro conseguiu fabricar um modelo de índio civilizado despido de suas características reais, mas quase nada falou sobre as populações africanas, houve um longo silêncio sobre as etnias negras que povoavam o Brasil\" (ORTIZ, 2003: 19). Por isso, optamos por estudar analiticamente a obra Primeiras trovas burlescas de Getulino, do ex-escravo, escritor, abolicionista, jornalista e advogado Luiz Gama, levando em conta como o eu-lírico qualifica o negro, o mestiço, o mulato e o branco por meio de características ou de ações, e quais são os valores a atribuídos a esses grupos étnicos. Análise que nos lembra a importância da relação entre a mensagem e a imagem que se produz literariamente, já as qualificações (atributos e valores) apresentadas vêm ligadas à uma série de fatores dotados de significados próprio originando uma valorização humanitária peculiar, que leva em conta certas pretensões que podem ser sociais e históricas e desvelam acontecimentos e motivações que vão ao encontro de concepções que geram o que cita David Haberly: \"The multiracial character of Brazilian literary history, however, goes far beyond genetics. As we shall see, much of Brazil\'s literature has been preoccupied with an anguished search for a viable racial identity - a search that has been both personal and national in scope.\" (HABERLY, 1983: 2) / Literary Romanticism Brazilian managed to make a model of civilized Indian stripped of their actual characteristics. On the other hand, said nothing about the African population, there was a long silence on the ethnic black that filled the Brazil \"(Ortiz, 2003: 19), so we chose to study analytically the work Primeiras trovas burlescas de Getulino, of the former slave, writer abolitionist, journalist and lawyer Luiz Gama, taking into account how the I-lyric describes the black, mestizo and mulatto through features or activities, and what are the values assigned to them. Analysis reminds us of the importance of the relationship between the message and the image is produced literally, as the skills (attributes and values) presented are linked to a number of factors endowed with meaning itself leading to a recovery humanitarian peculiar, which takes into account certain claims which may be social, historical and uncover the events and motivations that are in harmony with concepts that generate citing David Haberly: \"The multiracial character of Brazilian literary history, however, goes far beyond genetics. As we shall see, much of Brazil\'s literature has been preoccupied with an anguished search for a viable racial identity - a search that has been both personal and national in scope. \"(Haberly, 1983: 2)

Li, Chit Ning. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 208-218). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

This study aims to do a comparative analysis of the historical depiction of the Zulu kings namely: King Shaka, King Dingane, King Mpande and King Cetshwayo. In this study comparison is drawn between Dhlomo's historical novels and Nyembezi 's anthology of praise poetry. This research is based on Interpretive paradigm because it emphasizes a need for in-depth reading and analysis of the oral presentation. That is why qualitative research methodology has been employed because it has allowed the researcher to analytical skills on the content and interviews with community members. In the analysis of these books; the researcher read; interpreted, compared and contrasted the contents thereof. In the researchers comparative study; the researcher discovered that there are some similarities and differences of content in the historical novels and praise poetry writings. This research examined the publication (relevant to this study) written by other authors about Zulu kings (these as deemed relevant for this research). The study went on to verify authenticity around the contents of praise poetry regarding these kings. Structured interviews were arranged and conducted; wherein it emerged that most of king Shaka's, king Dingane's and king Mpande's history has somewhat faded from the interviewee's memories. A lot of information was gathered around king Cetshwayo. This study also revealed that most of Zulu king's history is somehow distorted.Theories of Post-Colonialism and Orality were greatly employed during this research. Post-Colonialism theory was deemed relevant because most of these writings were done after the Zulus had been robbed of their land. Since praise poetry is oral art; an oral historian had to be consulted to emphasize the rich heritage contained in orality or oral art. It clearly emerged from this research that there is a lot of deliberate distortions of Zulu kings' history. This distortion is not only by Whites but also some Black African writers who still continue distorting the kings' history. It is suggested that there be a revisitation and rewriting of the Zulu kings' history and this be done taking into consideration past writings and interviews with knowledgeable historians. A lot of knowledge is contained in this thesis that can be helpful to all and sundry interested in historical writings and other literary genres. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2008.

The thesis is a description and analysis of the oral style devices on four collections undertaken by G.Beutler, G. de Granda, F. Dougherty and G. Hersalek in Colombia. Themes and their transmitters are analysed. Oral features such as formulas, the uses of repetition and parallelism as well as variability are explored in individual chapters which are illustrated with Colombian texts. The thesis consists of an introduction to the theme of the Oral Spanish Balladry and its collections; a summarized description of the primary sources; an annotated transcription of our compilation of texts in the department of Boyaca and five chapters of analysis and description of oral style mechanisms. Charts showing the themes collected in Colombia and the number, gender and age of its repositories are included. Maps indicate the departments in Colombia where those themes were found. Graphs have the purpose to show a clearer perspective on the distribution of the Spanish Balladry in Colombia, thus, offering a guide for new researchers. This analysis shows that the Colombian transmitters have made use both of the oral style devices inherited from Spain as well as their own initiative that has produced innovations at different levels in this tradition. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

A vigorous oral tradition has existed throughout South African history, and in many ways represents our truly original contribution to world literature. Despite this, oral literature is largely absent from accounts of literary history in this country. While the particular oppressions of South African political life have contributed to the exclusion of oral forms, the suppression of the oral in favour of the printed text is a feature of literary studies worldwide, and appears to be related to the critical practices that have been dominant in universities and schools for most of this century. In this study I consider ways of recovering oral forms for literary debate, and offer what I consider to be more appropriate strategies of 'reading'. My aim is to re-establish a line of continuity in South African poetry and performance from the songs and stories of the Bushmen, through the praise poems of the African chiefdoms, to the development of Christianised oral forms, the adaptation of the oral tradition in 'Soweto' poetry of the 1970s, and the performance of poems on political platforms in the 1980s. Recovering oral poetry and performance genres for literary debate requires the development of an appropriate critical methodology. Through a consideration of advances in the study of orality, I aim to suggest ways of reading which grant credence to the specific strategies and performative energies of oral texts while locating the texts in the spaces and constrictions of their societies. A great many oral texts from the past survive only in printed, translated forms, however, and a key aspect of such a critical project is how - while acknowledging the particular difficulties involved - one 'uses' highly mediated and artificially stabilised print versions to suggest something of the dynamic nature of oral performance in South African historical and social life. This thesis also considers how texts address us across historical distances. I argue for maintaining a dialectic between the 'past significance' and 'present meaning' of the poems, songs and stories: for allowing the past to shape our reading while we remain aware that our recuperation of history is inevitably directed by present needs and ideologies. These ideas are explored through five chapters which consider, respectively, the songs and stories of the nineteenth-century /Xam Bushmen, the izibongo of Shaka, the hymns of the Messianic Zulu evangelist Isaiah Shembe, Ingoapele Madingoane's epic 'Soweto' poem "black trial", and the performance poetry of Mzwakhe Mbuli and Alfred Qabula in the 1980s. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

The focus of this thesis is on Xhosa oral and written poetry. The discussion in the thesis is based on the information from existing literature, the responses from the questionnaires and the interviews with some Xhosa iimbongi (person who sings praises) who have reflected on their personal experiences. In addition to this, S.E.K. Mqhayi is at the centre of discussion because as a prominent Xhosa imbongi he features in both the oral and the written world.