Every human endeavor depends on commonly shared terms, concepts, and categories that make the work easier and more efficient. Studying and talking about the humanities-the great works of art, literature, history, philosophy, and music of the Western tradition-are no different. This handbook provides students with the most basic and general definitions of the terms and ideas that are used in introductory humanities, literature, and Western civilization courses. It is hoped that the students' experience with their other class texts, whether primary or secondary, and with their instructor's lectures and other class materials will be enhanced by having this guide at hand to provide definitions of useful terms and concepts.