@article{ART003210590},
author={Sungduk Yun},
title={Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature},
journal={Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University},
issn={1598-3021},
year={2025},
volume={82},
number={2},
pages={111-138},
doi={10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111}
TY - JOUR
AU - Sungduk Yun
TI - Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature
JO - Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
PY - 2025
VL - 82
IS - 2
PB - Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
SP - 111
EP - 138
SN - 1598-3021
AB - Sumerian dispute poems, a form of wisdom literaure, have traditionally been understood as having been written in verse, with narratives describing events that were inserted as needed. However, it is clear that the people of ancient West Asia had a different literary tradition of poetry or narrative compared to the modern period. Considering the nature of the groups that initiated the literary activity and the modes of their activity, professional scribes used cuneiform scripts to create written documents and they frequently used various lists, which contain a piece of information or image in a single line (or space). Such lists were quite similar to the verse form. In their narratives, they often employed poetic techniques to craft elevated prose. A direct examination of the dispute poems reveals an organic mix of poetry and narrative, with the latter appearing to describe events in chronological order or to emphasize certain points. There is also the possibility that the narrative in dispute poems had a political agenda, as certain historical figures are mentioned in the narratives. However, a shift in literary style was also observed, marked by a decline in poetic dialogue and a growing emphasis on narrative. After all, Sumerian dispute poems were in a constant state of flux between poetry and narrative.
KW - Dispute Literature;Sumerian;Poetry;Narrative;Literary Genre
DO - 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
ER -
Sungduk Yun. (2025). Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 82(2), 111-138.
Sungduk Yun. 2025, "Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature", Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, vol.82, no.2 pp.111-138. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
Sungduk Yun "Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 82.2 pp.111-138 (2025) : 111.
Sungduk Yun. Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature. 2025; 82(2), 111-138. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
Sungduk Yun. "Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 82, no.2 (2025) : 111-138.doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
Sungduk Yun. Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University, 82(2), 111-138. doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
Sungduk Yun. Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature. Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University. 2025; 82(2) 111-138. doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
Sungduk Yun. Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature. 2025; 82(2), 111-138. Available from: doi:10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
Sungduk Yun. "Poetry and Narrative in Sumerian Dispute Literature" Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University 82, no.2 (2025) : 111-138.doi: 10.17326/jhsnu.82.2.202505.111
