The Definition of Classical Literature Free Essay Example

Classical literature; what is it really? The definition of ‘classic’ is “an author or literary work of the first rank, especially one of demonstrably enduring quality. ” So can this mean that any author who works their way up to the Best Seller’s List or is a Newbury medal winner is a classic? Classical literary pieces are timeless and endlessly intriguing works of art. These works are found from any era of time, with any meaning or moral behind them. The philosophers and writers responsible for these stories are true geniuses of their time.

Classics are classics because they have stood up to the test of time without waver.

Well known, and renowned, people still refer their names and reference their texts hundreds of years after being written. These stories are still subject of debate on the true meaning and have infinitely different ideas of the symbolism expressed within them. The morals and artistic qualities as the time of the story, are still the same as they are today.

People of the modern age can still relate as to what the writer was feeling or trying to convey through his story. These stories are still relevant, and still manage to provoke the emotional responses of readers throughout the years.

As certain qualities make classics classic, these same qualities make them very important to education as well. Classical literature is important in schools and young adult education because it provides something to stimulate the brain and engage in intellectual conversations with one another; forcing the reader to think to comprehend what they are reading, instead of reading mindless fluff.

It cultures, youth so they can understand the importance and brilliance of past times, noble languages, artistic values, and allows them to appreciate finer works of art.

Classic literary education leads into the importance of classic literature on its own. When people are taught from a young age about classical literature, they are more refined and cultured. Classical literature is eye-opening in a way. Many people today walk with blinders on, it seems, blinded to the prevalent issues that arise in everyday life. Perhaps when they read a classic literary work that addresses an issue that exists in our world today, when that idea is in the back of their mind, they might then begin to see it in their everyday lives.

Walking down the street, they might realize racial tensions that still arise years after it was abolished. They might then see the poverty and suffering that is so prevalent. A classic parable can help to gently remove the blinders and give light to what is truly going on in the world. This type of literature also provides comparisons to how society had advanced itself through the years. The responses from the ancient cultures, to how society reacts today provides information to study.

The differences in the matters can let insight into how people have evolved intellectually. As this work discusses, classics are timeless and extremely important to education and life in general. They are works of art that have withstood the wear of time, seeding themselves in the minds of the people, teaching youth refined cultures, and giving light to the world’s matters. These works of art need to remain a part of school curriculum for as long as possible. Without them, a risk of letting kids grow up without intellectual stimulants and cultured languages arises.