Beginning at a young age, I adored the written word. Stories are often told of me as a two year
old, sitting on the ground reading with a massive array of books surrounding me. As I refused to read without every book in my
possession within reach, I spent hours working my way through the collection—thus
rendering myself free from the labyrinth of books arranged before me.
Today, I find myself an English major, required to take an early British literature class that covers pieces dating back to the Middle Ages. While this may seem old, the start of Greek literature is much more impressive in its date. Greek classics such as Homer’s the Illiad and the Odyssey were written around 800 BC. The Greeks not only provided us literature that has surpassed the ages, but many contemporary classifications of literary genres stem back to their works. Examples of this would be lyrical poetry, odes, and tragedy (learn more). English classics may be my focus for the semester, but there’s no doubt that there will be Greek influence. I guess the only question now is how I’m going to fit all of my beloved books into a small, college apartment…
Today, I find myself an English major, required to take an early British literature class that covers pieces dating back to the Middle Ages. While this may seem old, the start of Greek literature is much more impressive in its date. Greek classics such as Homer’s the Illiad and the Odyssey were written around 800 BC. The Greeks not only provided us literature that has surpassed the ages, but many contemporary classifications of literary genres stem back to their works. Examples of this would be lyrical poetry, odes, and tragedy (learn more). English classics may be my focus for the semester, but there’s no doubt that there will be Greek influence. I guess the only question now is how I’m going to fit all of my beloved books into a small, college apartment…
It is impressive that so much of their culture has made its way down to the present day. Makes me wonder if any of our "modern classics" will do the same.
ReplyDeleteAh!! As a fellow bibliophile, this post makes me happy. :) It truly is amazing the way that Greece's literature has proved to survive the entropic test of time- the way George Bernard Shaw alludes to "Pygmalion," an Ancient Greek tale, in the very title of his play shows just how true that is. And who doesn't love Julie Andrews' representation in "My Fair Lady?" ...I might just have to do an analysis of all three now. :P
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