📜English Literature – Before 1670 Unit 10 – Classical Influences on English Lit

Key Classical Works and Authors

• Homer's epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" established foundational themes and narrative structures in Western literature
  • "The Iliad" depicts the Trojan War and explores concepts of heroism, honor, and the human condition
  • "The Odyssey" follows Odysseus' journey home after the war, incorporating elements of adventure, loyalty, and personal growth
• Virgil's "The Aeneid" serves as a Roman epic that draws upon and expands Homeric themes
  • Tells the story of Aeneas, a Trojan hero who founds the Roman civilization
  • Incorporates themes of destiny, piety, and the importance of civic duty
• Ovid's "Metamorphoses" is a collection of mythological tales that showcase transformations and the power of love
  • Includes stories such as Apollo and Daphne, Pyramus and Thisbe, and Orpheus and Eurydice
  • Influenced later writers' use of allegory and symbolism
• Plato's dialogues, particularly "The Republic" and "Symposium," explore philosophical ideas and the nature of love
• Aristotle's works, such as "Poetics" and "Rhetoric," provide foundational principles for literary criticism and persuasive language

Mythological Themes and Motifs

• The hero's journey is a recurring narrative structure in classical literature that follows a protagonist's adventures and personal growth
  • Often includes stages such as the call to adventure, trials and challenges, and a return home with newfound knowledge or power
• Divine intervention and the role of gods in human affairs are prominent themes in classical works
  • Gods often manipulate events, provide assistance or hindrance to heroes, and represent forces of nature or human emotions
• Metamorphosis, or physical transformation, is a common motif used to illustrate change, punishment, or escape
  • Characters may be transformed into animals, plants, or inanimate objects as a result of divine intervention or strong emotions
• The power of fate and prophecy in shaping characters' destinies
  • Oracles, prophecies, and curses often drive the narrative and create a sense of inevitability
• The destructive nature of hubris, or excessive pride, as a character flaw that leads to downfall
  • Characters who challenge the gods or overestimate their own abilities often face severe consequences

Literary Forms and Genres

• Epic poetry tells grand, sweeping stories of heroic figures and their adventures
  • Characterized by long, narrative poems in elevated language and style
  • Often includes invocations to the Muses, extended similes, and catalogues of characters or events
• Tragedy explores themes of suffering, loss, and the consequences of characters' actions
  • Follows a protagonist's downfall, often due to a tragic flaw or error in judgment
  • Aims to evoke catharsis, a release of strong emotions, in the audience
• Comedy features humorous situations, witty dialogue, and often ends in a positive resolution
  • Includes elements of satire, irony, and mistaken identities
  • Frequently explores social and political issues through a lighthearted lens
• Lyric poetry expresses personal emotions and reflections
  • Encompasses various forms such as odes, elegies, and sonnets
  • Often accompanied by music and performed in public settings
• Pastoral literature depicts idealized rural life and the beauty of nature
  • Features shepherds, nymphs, and other rustic characters
  • Serves as a contrast to the complexities of urban life and political strife

Language and Style

• Classical authors employed elevated and formal language to convey a sense of grandeur and importance
  • Use of epic similes, extended metaphors, and vivid imagery to enhance the narrative
  • Frequent allusions to mythology, history, and other literary works to add depth and resonance
• Rhetorical devices, such as repetition, antithesis, and chiasmus, are used to create emphasis and memorable phrases
  • Repetition of words or phrases for emotional impact (anaphora)
  • Juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or words (antithesis)
  • Reversal of grammatical structures for effect (chiasmus)
• The use of meter and rhyme in poetry to create a sense of rhythm and musicality
  • Dactylic hexameter in epic poetry (Homer, Virgil)
  • Elegiac couplets in love poetry and elegies (Ovid)
• Dialogue and speeches are used to reveal character, advance the plot, and explore philosophical ideas
  • Socratic dialogue in Plato's works to probe complex concepts
  • Persuasive speeches in drama and epic poetry to sway characters' actions
• Irony, both verbal and situational, adds depth and complexity to the narrative
  • Verbal irony: saying the opposite of what is meant
  • Situational irony: outcomes that are contrary to expectations

Philosophical and Cultural Concepts

• The idea of arete, or virtue and excellence, as a central goal in classical thought
  • Emphasis on moral and intellectual development
  • Pursuit of honor, glory, and a lasting legacy
• The concept of the golden mean, or balance and moderation, as a guiding principle
  • Avoidance of extremes and excess
  • Importance of self-control and harmony
• The role of fate and the gods in human life and the tension between free will and divine intervention
  • Acceptance of one's destiny while striving for greatness
  • Reverence for the gods and the consequences of defying them
• The importance of hospitality and guest-friendship (xenia) in ancient Greek society
  • Proper treatment of guests and strangers as a sacred duty
  • Reciprocal relationships between hosts and guests
• The concept of catharsis, or emotional purification, as a function of tragedy
  • Purgation of pity and fear through the audience's identification with the characters
  • Resulting in a sense of cleansing and renewal

Adaptation and Reinterpretation

• Classical myths and stories have been adapted and retold throughout literary history
  • Reinterpretations often reflect the values and concerns of the adapting culture
  • Allows for new perspectives and insights into timeless themes
• Medieval writers often allegorized classical texts to fit Christian moral and spiritual frameworks
  • Ovid's "Metamorphoses" interpreted as moral exempla
  • Virgil's "Aeneid" seen as a precursor to Christian values
• Renaissance authors drew upon classical models for inspiration and imitation
  • Shakespeare's use of Ovidian themes and narratives in his plays
  • Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" as an epic inspired by classical conventions
• Translation and vernacular adaptations made classical works accessible to wider audiences
  • Chaucer's "Troilus and Criseyde" as a Middle English adaptation of Boccaccio's "Il Filostrato"
  • Chapman's English translation of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey"
• Modern and postmodern writers continue to engage with classical literature, often subverting or questioning traditional interpretations
  • James Joyce's "Ulysses" as a modernist retelling of Homer's "Odyssey"
  • Margaret Atwood's "Penelopiad" as a feminist perspective on the Odyssey story

Impact on Renaissance Literature

• The rediscovery of classical texts during the Renaissance led to a renewed interest in ancient literature and culture
  • Increased availability of Greek and Latin works through translations and printed editions
  • Humanist education emphasized the study of classical languages and literature
• Classical themes, motifs, and genres were incorporated into Renaissance literature
  • Revival of epic poetry, pastoral romance, and mythological allusions
  • Use of classical figures as exemplars of virtue, wisdom, and artistic excellence
• Renaissance writers sought to emulate and surpass their classical models
  • Concept of imitatio, or creative imitation, as a means of learning from and building upon earlier works
  • Desire to create a vernacular literature that could rival the classics
• Classical ideas of beauty, proportion, and harmony influenced Renaissance art and architecture
  • Vitruvian principles of symmetry and balance in design
  • Representation of classical gods, heroes, and scenes in painting and sculpture
• The revival of classical learning contributed to the development of humanism and individualism
  • Emphasis on human potential, reason, and the value of worldly experience
  • Questioning of traditional authorities and the promotion of intellectual inquiry

Legacy and Modern Relevance

• Classical literature continues to shape modern storytelling and narrative structures
  • The hero's journey as a template for contemporary fiction and film
  • Mythological archetypes and symbols in popular culture
• Themes and conflicts explored in classical works remain relevant to the human experience
  • The nature of love, loyalty, and betrayal
  • The struggle between individual desires and societal expectations
  • The consequences of pride, ambition, and hubris
• Classical allusions and references enrich modern literature and create a shared cultural language
  • T.S. Eliot's use of classical mythology in "The Waste Land"
  • Donna Tartt's "The Secret History" and its engagement with Greek philosophy and tragedy
• Adaptations and retellings of classical stories allow for new interpretations and cultural critiques
  • Madeline Miller's "Circe" as a feminist retelling of the Odyssey from the perspective of the witch Circe
  • Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series, which introduces Greek mythology to young adult readers
• The study of classical literature fosters critical thinking, cultural awareness, and an appreciation for the enduring power of storytelling
  • Encourages readers to engage with complex ideas and universal human experiences
  • Provides a foundation for understanding the development of Western literature and thought