Craig White's Literature Courses

Terms / Themes


Catalog


thanks to http://www.poetspress.org/catalog.shtml

Catalog or catalogue

Oxford English Dictionary. Catalogue 1.a. A list, register, or complete enumeration

2. Now usually distinguished from a mere list or enumeration, by systematic or methodical arrangement, alphabetical or other order, and often by the addition of brief particulars, descriptive, or aiding identification, indicative of locality, position, date, price, or the like.

3.a. A list of college or university graduates, alumni, or teachers

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 7th ed. Catalog [from Greek katalogos list] 1. archaic a list; register, enumeration of items. 2 a. A list of names, titles, or articles arranged methodically, often in alphabetical order . . . with prices for articles of merchandise. c. specifically, an official publication of a university or college giving regulations and announcements

 

[Catalogue of the devils in Hell in Milton’s Paradise Lost, 1667]

A multitude, like which the populous North
Pour'd never from her frozen loyns . . . . Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band
The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood
Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and forms
Excelling human, Princely Dignities,
And Powers that erst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now
Be no memorial, blotted out and raz'd
By their Rebellion, from the Books of Life. . . .
Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,
Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch. . .

First Moloch, horrid King besmear'd with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents tears . . .

Next Chemos, th' obscene dread of Moabs Sons,
. . . .

With these in troop
Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'd
Astarte, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns . . .

Thammuz came next behind,
 . . . Next came one
Who mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive Ark
Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off . . .

Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful Seat
Was fair Damascus, . . .

After these appear'd
A crew who under Names of old Renown,
Osiris, Isis, Orus and their Train
With monstrous shapes and sorceries . . .

Belial came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd
Fell not from Heaven . . .

 

Other examples:

Walt Whitman, "There Was a Child went Forth"

Martin Luther King, "I Have a Dream"