Modern Day Research Paper
The Modern-day Reflection Today one may ask why it is that students study dusty old pieces of clay, or scrolls with fading ink. About two and a half thousand years ago authors such as Aristophanes, Sophocles, Aristotle and many others wrote works that are still read today. What these people have yet to grasp is the importance of the influence of the culture, the language, the many lessons learned and have yet to establish connections to the modern-day world expressed in Greek literature. About two and a half thousand years ago Greek behavior and daily routines were often dependent on the state of their city-state. The behavior and routines are known as Greek culture. In Ancient Greece there were several city-states in which governed
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themselves, each city state generally had a king. Prior to the Peloponnesian war comedies were performed for the complete month of March. Though once the Peloponnesian war started “…, comedies were performed each afternoon, following the morning’s tragic tetralogy (a series of 3 tragedies and a satyr play)…” (Greek Comedy) Going to these performances were part of the religion, part of the culture. Many of the authors of Greek literature that are read today have won many contests. In ancient Greece there were contests regarding tragedies and comedies. Aristophanes for example won over 11 contests with his comedy Magnes. These contests were also part of the Greek culture! Learning ancient Greek culture is important because if one understands another’s culture one can then understand evolution of their own.
The Greek Language influences our language today; Greek words are the root for many English words.
Also the translation of Greek texts to English also adds a different dimension to all works of ancient Greek literature. An important aspect of the study of Greek literature is the study of the language. In The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles the understanding of the three different words for love is essential in understanding the three plays. The three Greek words for love are; eros meaning erotic love, philia meaning brotherly love, and agapé meaning spiritual/religious love. Our one word, love, embodies all three Greek words. In The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles each play embodies a different type of love. The first play Oedipus the King deals with eros , the second Oedipus at Colonus deals with agapé, and the third Antigone deals with philia. Imagine if the word love was used, then one may assume that Antigone was sexually attracted to her brother Polynieces, the text would be quite a disaster. Though because when Paul Roche translated the plays he made it clear the type of love discussed. Besides the effect of the language in translation of Greek literature, the effect on our language and world is important too. For example Philadelphia is known as “the city of brotherly love” note how philia, the Greek word for brotherly love can be derived from Philadelphia. Greek is one of the few bases of modern English language; this fact is evident in the translation of ancient Greek
literature. Themes in literature are everlasting among literature and life. In The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles everlasting themes include; Sophrosyne, the existence of fate, the effect of decisions, and the ignorance of truth. These themes are everlasting and teach people lessons regardless of the day and age. One should always realize that their decision will affect others. The truth though at times avoided remains the truth. One must know themselves and their surroundings, ALWAYS. In Lysistrata the question of the profanity of war is asked, the discussion of gender roles in society is present. These questions and discussions are still relevant and present. This evidently demonstrates how themes and lessons forever echo life regardless of the time period. The effect on the modern world includes the effect on literature and life. According to Aristotle The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles is the perfect model for all tragedies. In studying The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles one learns the basic model for a tragedy in which influences authors today as they write a tragedy. Today authors when writing tragedies aim at catharsis and contain the six elements of drama noted by Aristotle. The six elements include; multiple fates in the plot, a character that has some tragic flaw though is part of the daily culture, the thought/theme, diction, music, and the spectacle. Not only is studying Greek literature influential in modern-day text, it is influential in modern-day behavior and society. In ancient Greece as part of daily rituals there would be libations poured to the gods, today people pour libations to their “hommies” or to their relatives that have past unaware of the ancient ritual they are performing. In Lysistrata the war of sexes was present just as today the war is still existent. Those are just some of the ways that Greek literature has affected modern-day behavior and society.
Evidently the study of Greek literature is important because of the influence due to the culture, language, lessons, and relation to present times expressed. Who would have thought dusty pieces of clay and scrolls with fading ink could influence society in such drastic ways. Thus exemplifying the importance of reading Greek literature.
Work Cited
James Corcoran. Greek Comedy worksheet. 2012. Print.
Sophocles, and Paul Roche. The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles. Plume, 1996. Print.
Aristophanes. Lysistrata. Project Gutenberg. Online.
themselves, each city state generally had a king. Prior to the Peloponnesian war comedies were performed for the complete month of March. Though once the Peloponnesian war started “…, comedies were performed each afternoon, following the morning’s tragic tetralogy (a series of 3 tragedies and a satyr play)…” (Greek Comedy) Going to these performances were part of the religion, part of the culture. Many of the authors of Greek literature that are read today have won many contests. In ancient Greece there were contests regarding tragedies and comedies. Aristophanes for example won over 11 contests with his comedy Magnes. These contests were also part of the Greek culture! Learning ancient Greek culture is important because if one understands another’s culture one can then understand evolution of their own.
The Greek Language influences our language today; Greek words are the root for many English words.
Also the translation of Greek texts to English also adds a different dimension to all works of ancient Greek literature. An important aspect of the study of Greek literature is the study of the language. In The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles the understanding of the three different words for love is essential in understanding the three plays. The three Greek words for love are; eros meaning erotic love, philia meaning brotherly love, and agapé meaning spiritual/religious love. Our one word, love, embodies all three Greek words. In The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles each play embodies a different type of love. The first play Oedipus the King deals with eros , the second Oedipus at Colonus deals with agapé, and the third Antigone deals with philia. Imagine if the word love was used, then one may assume that Antigone was sexually attracted to her brother Polynieces, the text would be quite a disaster. Though because when Paul Roche translated the plays he made it clear the type of love discussed. Besides the effect of the language in translation of Greek literature, the effect on our language and world is important too. For example Philadelphia is known as “the city of brotherly love” note how philia, the Greek word for brotherly love can be derived from Philadelphia. Greek is one of the few bases of modern English language; this fact is evident in the translation of ancient Greek
literature. Themes in literature are everlasting among literature and life. In The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles everlasting themes include; Sophrosyne, the existence of fate, the effect of decisions, and the ignorance of truth. These themes are everlasting and teach people lessons regardless of the day and age. One should always realize that their decision will affect others. The truth though at times avoided remains the truth. One must know themselves and their surroundings, ALWAYS. In Lysistrata the question of the profanity of war is asked, the discussion of gender roles in society is present. These questions and discussions are still relevant and present. This evidently demonstrates how themes and lessons forever echo life regardless of the time period. The effect on the modern world includes the effect on literature and life. According to Aristotle The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles is the perfect model for all tragedies. In studying The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles one learns the basic model for a tragedy in which influences authors today as they write a tragedy. Today authors when writing tragedies aim at catharsis and contain the six elements of drama noted by Aristotle. The six elements include; multiple fates in the plot, a character that has some tragic flaw though is part of the daily culture, the thought/theme, diction, music, and the spectacle. Not only is studying Greek literature influential in modern-day text, it is influential in modern-day behavior and society. In ancient Greece as part of daily rituals there would be libations poured to the gods, today people pour libations to their “hommies” or to their relatives that have past unaware of the ancient ritual they are performing. In Lysistrata the war of sexes was present just as today the war is still existent. Those are just some of the ways that Greek literature has affected modern-day behavior and society.
Evidently the study of Greek literature is important because of the influence due to the culture, language, lessons, and relation to present times expressed. Who would have thought dusty pieces of clay and scrolls with fading ink could influence society in such drastic ways. Thus exemplifying the importance of reading Greek literature.
Work Cited
James Corcoran. Greek Comedy worksheet. 2012. Print.
Sophocles, and Paul Roche. The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles. Plume, 1996. Print.
Aristophanes. Lysistrata. Project Gutenberg. Online.