It is very difficult to define what classical literature is, according to dictionary.com, 'classic' can be defined as: of the first or highest
quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work.
I think it is fair to say that all literature defined as being a classic is of the highest quality, otherwise, they would not have such renownd. Age is also an important factor in defining a classic, they are mostly relatively old, and have 'stood the test of time'. In the fact that they are old, they are representitive of the time period and they give us an insight to the beliefs, customs and values of the time. Despite their age, classics still are read today, and can still be applicable to our society and culture.
Classical literature also has a general, often international appeal. This is because the comments made about one society can be applied to multiple cultures, although different pieces of literature are held in different regard, depending on the societies' values, morals, customs and beliefs. The language of Classics are often eloquent and descriptive, however is easy enough for other cultures to comprehend. It is important to understad that although all the examples that are mentioned here are English Literature, other cultures have their own acclaimed pieces of writing, and these are just as popular and influencial as their English counterparts. For example, War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy is a very well know piece of Russian Literature.
Throughout my research I chose to focus on three English writers from three different time periods.
William Shakespeare:
William Shakespeare was an author throughout the Elizabethan period. He wrote in detail about the function of society and culture that existed, revealing flaws and developing characters that acted outside the boundaries of a society, particularly those in the role of women, as his society functioned in a patriarchally based way.
Midsummer Night's Dream laughs at the absurdity of love, and the confusion it causes. Hamlet exposed greed and lust as a key feature of human
behaviour and culture, and Twelfth Night highlights the dominance of human spirit, meaning how humans rulethe world, having supreme control over everything to an extent where it is ridiculous.
Jane Austen:
Jane Austen was also an author in a patriarchal period of time (the Georgian period). This is reflected in the way that Austen had to publish her novels
anonymously to be taken seriously. In Austen's novel Emma, she is making a comment on the extreme importance of manners and behaviour in her society, and in her writing she is mocking its significance.
Charles Dickens:
Charles Dickens was a very popular writer in the Victorian time. As a young boy, Dickens grew up in poverty, and so when his writing increased his wealth, he tried to make a difference to their lives of those less fortunate that him. He did this through his writing, trying to make an impression on his readers, trying to convince them to donate to charity and care for the poor, and to change their greedy and malicious ways. An example of where he did this was his novel A Christmas carol. Not only is Ebenezer Scrooge's reform in character an marvelous story, it represents is also the change that Dickens wanted for the world that he lived in. In fact, for his time, Charles Dickens was a forward thinker, dreaming of social security
and equality instead of the segregated class system that was prominent in the time.
quality, class, or rank: a classic piece of work.
I think it is fair to say that all literature defined as being a classic is of the highest quality, otherwise, they would not have such renownd. Age is also an important factor in defining a classic, they are mostly relatively old, and have 'stood the test of time'. In the fact that they are old, they are representitive of the time period and they give us an insight to the beliefs, customs and values of the time. Despite their age, classics still are read today, and can still be applicable to our society and culture.
Classical literature also has a general, often international appeal. This is because the comments made about one society can be applied to multiple cultures, although different pieces of literature are held in different regard, depending on the societies' values, morals, customs and beliefs. The language of Classics are often eloquent and descriptive, however is easy enough for other cultures to comprehend. It is important to understad that although all the examples that are mentioned here are English Literature, other cultures have their own acclaimed pieces of writing, and these are just as popular and influencial as their English counterparts. For example, War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy is a very well know piece of Russian Literature.
Throughout my research I chose to focus on three English writers from three different time periods.
William Shakespeare:
William Shakespeare was an author throughout the Elizabethan period. He wrote in detail about the function of society and culture that existed, revealing flaws and developing characters that acted outside the boundaries of a society, particularly those in the role of women, as his society functioned in a patriarchally based way.
Midsummer Night's Dream laughs at the absurdity of love, and the confusion it causes. Hamlet exposed greed and lust as a key feature of human
behaviour and culture, and Twelfth Night highlights the dominance of human spirit, meaning how humans rulethe world, having supreme control over everything to an extent where it is ridiculous.
Jane Austen:
Jane Austen was also an author in a patriarchal period of time (the Georgian period). This is reflected in the way that Austen had to publish her novels
anonymously to be taken seriously. In Austen's novel Emma, she is making a comment on the extreme importance of manners and behaviour in her society, and in her writing she is mocking its significance.
Charles Dickens:
Charles Dickens was a very popular writer in the Victorian time. As a young boy, Dickens grew up in poverty, and so when his writing increased his wealth, he tried to make a difference to their lives of those less fortunate that him. He did this through his writing, trying to make an impression on his readers, trying to convince them to donate to charity and care for the poor, and to change their greedy and malicious ways. An example of where he did this was his novel A Christmas carol. Not only is Ebenezer Scrooge's reform in character an marvelous story, it represents is also the change that Dickens wanted for the world that he lived in. In fact, for his time, Charles Dickens was a forward thinker, dreaming of social security
and equality instead of the segregated class system that was prominent in the time.