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I study them, apparently. Ghavrel Send a noteboard - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM
Of course, there's a rather different definition going on there.

Legolas' post about Emma and Rebekah's challenge got me thinking that there are a lot of "classics" floating around out there that certain people (myself included) may never have given a chance. This will be true, regardless of what you consider a "classic" to be. I leaned a little too heavily on a man named Cliff during school to avoid getting too far out of my comfort zone. Also, making something "required" reading usually took away some of it's appeal for me.

Ah, I like to use required reading as a tool to make me read books I think I should. I'm strongly considering taking one of the required "great books" classes at my university (I tested out of enough things that I used another track to satisfy gen eds) just so I can finally nail down some good books I've been putting off. I have terrible self-discipline when it comes to reading old books.

How do you define a classic work or author?

Classic? One that has been historically recognized as important. Very different from literature, which I think has to do with themes of humanity. Most classics are literature, but the two aren't one and the same. And of course there is a lot of literature that does not fall into the realm of classics; I don't think anyone would call a late 20th century book a "classic," regardless of its quality.

What are your favorite classic works?

I unashamedly love Shakespeare, and I don't particularly care that everyone loves Shakespeare. He is wonderful. Milton is wonderful. So is Chaucer. Dante is good, but I think actually a little overrated (at least in the English. I have heard that the Italian is spectacular, but I wouldn't know). The Odyssey and the Iliad, at least in translation.

Can you tell I'm a fan of the epic? I actually probably read more poetry, but that doesn't seem to be what you're looking for.

And of course Vergil. Vergil, Vergil, Vergil. The Aeneid is an unqualified masterpiece. I adore Ovid's Metamorphoses as well. Most of the Greek tragedies are enjoyable, but I really ought to reserve judgment until I read them in the original.

If you had to suggest just one, which would it be and why? (please not, "because it's good" )

I hesitate to suggest the Aeneid, because it loses so much in translation. I know I sound like an elitist prick, but it's probably more true for that work than for any other I've read. Nevertheless, it's such a seminal work in the Western canon; countless novels reference it. The Iliad and the Odyssey are of course also influential, but more people are familiar with them.

What have you staunchly refused to read that might be considered a classic?

I haven't staunchly refused to read anything, but I've yet to manage to finish more than a chapter or two of an Austen. She's not a bad writer at all, but I find the depicted world absolutely mind-numbing.

Why don't you want to read it?

See above.

I considered myself relatively well read, until I started hanging out around here at least. I will answer the questions in the next post to get it started, despite what it might reveal about my literary experience (or lack thereof). Thanks!
"We feel safe when we read what we recognise, what does not challenge our way of thinking.... a steady acceptance of pre-arranged patterns leads to the inability to question what we are told."
~Camilla

Ghavrel is Ghavrel is Ghavrel

*MySmiley*

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The Classics - general discussion / survey StormCrow - 30/09/2010 03:52:53 PM 1631 Views
My own answers. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 04:38:33 PM 1232 Views
I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment Lordling - 30/09/2010 07:20:02 PM 1132 Views
Re: I'm trying to read a bit of Shakespeare at the moment StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:14:23 PM 1146 Views
Get a copy with annotations! Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:56:12 PM 1078 Views
Re: My own answers. Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:02:08 PM 1267 Views
Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:23:51 PM 1246 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:06 PM 1469 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:07:20 PM 1196 Views
Re: Powdered Soup! Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:10:32 PM 1336 Views
Well, have you seen any of the Austen TV/movie adaptations, then? Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:25:58 PM 1184 Views
Oh yes. I even made the mistake of purchasing the new Pride and Prejudice for her. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:10:05 AM 1194 Views
They are much, much worse than powder soup. Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:07 PM 1080 Views
Well, since they're made of paper... StormCrow - 30/09/2010 10:09:41 PM 1152 Views
Re: My own answers. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:35:36 PM 1199 Views
Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 05/10/2010 08:05:56 PM 1248 Views
Re: Cliff's notes StormCrow - 05/10/2010 09:21:06 PM 1433 Views
Re: Cliff's notes Seriana Sedai - 06/10/2010 01:40:38 AM 1260 Views
It's cool. StormCrow - 06/10/2010 04:42:13 PM 1323 Views
A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 05:33:35 PM 1187 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 06:46:02 PM 1199 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Tom - 30/09/2010 10:57:23 PM 1235 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:39:16 PM 1008 Views
Camilla, that's just because you're an atheist. Tom - 01/10/2010 09:37:34 PM 1093 Views
Yes. Camilla - 01/10/2010 09:51:32 PM 1090 Views
Re: A classic is really any book with enduring value. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:20:51 AM 1261 Views
I really need to read Kundera. I've heard nothing but praise for Unbearable Lightness. *NM* Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:46:18 PM 643 Views
I could post you over a copy to borrow. Rebekah - 30/09/2010 08:58:08 PM 1011 Views
That is very kind, but I have far too much to do to read non-school books, unfortunately. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:53:23 PM 1087 Views
It is good. *NM* Camilla - 30/09/2010 09:34:47 PM 494 Views
Haven't read any other Kundera, but yes, that one is very enjoyable. *NM* Legolas - 30/09/2010 09:50:30 PM 631 Views
I found his other books to be pale copies of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. *NM* Tom - 30/09/2010 10:51:55 PM 677 Views
totally problematic classics temeraire - 30/09/2010 08:07:22 PM 1204 Views
Re: totally problematic classics StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:26:46 PM 1101 Views
I study them, apparently. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 08:44:40 PM 1276 Views
I wish I could do that. StormCrow - 30/09/2010 09:49:57 PM 1175 Views
Less fun than you'd think. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:52:10 PM 1049 Views
More admiration of your discipline than assuming you were having fun with it. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 12:31:06 AM 1202 Views
Re: The Classics - general discussion / survey .. edited. Camilla - 30/09/2010 08:58:14 PM 1264 Views
I knew you would have a rather lengthy list. I was worried until the edit came through. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:26:34 AM 1269 Views
Good survey. Legolas - 30/09/2010 10:23:18 PM 1256 Views
Agreed. edited Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:37:48 PM 1214 Views
But but but Milton is beautiful Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:46:06 PM 1131 Views
Sometimes. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:47:28 PM 1160 Views
Maybe I was unclear. Ghavrel - 30/09/2010 10:55:22 PM 1168 Views
Re: Maybe I was unclear. Camilla - 30/09/2010 10:57:41 PM 1039 Views
I'm glad you approve on the whole. Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:12:00 PM 1240 Views
I generally do. Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:19:05 PM 1172 Views
Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:40:24 PM 1327 Views
Re: Excellent. Might as well include a Hooft poem anyway, in case anyone's interested... Camilla - 30/09/2010 11:43:20 PM 1184 Views
Dickens StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:42:42 PM 1134 Views
Re: I generally do. BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:54:11 PM 1222 Views
Oh, and link to the Flecker poem: Legolas - 30/09/2010 11:42:30 PM 1063 Views
Re: Good survey. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:52:27 AM 1325 Views
My classics nossy - 30/09/2010 10:54:56 PM 1127 Views
Re: My classics StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:01:24 AM 1213 Views
Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 30/09/2010 11:30:41 PM 1293 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:18:58 AM 1146 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 01/10/2010 05:20:10 AM 1210 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee StormCrow - 01/10/2010 02:05:35 PM 1187 Views
Re: Ah Cliff, I bow to thee BlackAdder - 02/10/2010 04:07:10 AM 1163 Views
Ha, we weren't that far off after all. StormCrow - 04/10/2010 08:11:39 PM 1092 Views
I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Larry - 01/10/2010 12:36:17 AM 1282 Views
O'Connor is wonderful. But I am not sure many can appreciate her. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 02:50:54 AM 962 Views
I agree, thus the "confound" part in there Larry - 01/10/2010 02:53:26 AM 1033 Views
I figured as much. Ghavrel - 01/10/2010 03:08:26 AM 1057 Views
I expected you to have quite a few as well. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 03:25:06 AM 1144 Views
Re: I will not list 300+ books here, I promise Novo - 02/10/2010 11:23:37 AM 1194 Views
Criminy, I thought I was done with essay questions years ago. Mndrew - 01/10/2010 01:39:56 AM 1164 Views
Glad to bring back the school days. StormCrow - 01/10/2010 01:49:48 PM 1224 Views
Re: Glad to bring back the school days. Mndrew - 02/10/2010 05:32:47 AM 1007 Views
not sure but I don't believe in instant classics random thoughts - 02/10/2010 05:22:07 AM 1188 Views
the bf and I are going to do a "Paradise Lost" book club... ajah - 02/10/2010 08:29:38 AM 1330 Views
Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. Rebekah - 02/10/2010 11:40:48 AM 1207 Views
Re: Mm, Doré's engravings are gorgeous. ajah - 02/10/2010 09:42:37 PM 1202 Views
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