Why classical literature still resonates today
Published: 03:01 PM,Jan 19,2025 | EDITED : 07:01 PM,Jan 19,2025
As a millennial, the works of classical writers like Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, or Omar Khayyam seem to be nothing but tales of a long lost past. For succeeding generations like the Gen Zs, these must seem even more irrelevant to their world of the 21st century.
Yet, these classics remain important readings for everybody, not just literature graduates. Classics from any part of the world showcase enduring human emotions, reflect on strategies and philosophies that help us understand our world, and even point to ways in which we can make sense of our changing universe.
It is not only that a classical text is literally immortal. It is more that they say something to us, whoever we are and wherever we may be. Gilgamesh, the famous Mesopotamian epic poem, for example, exalts the virtues of human valour and pride of community when set against forces that threaten these values. This is similar to the Iliad, the famous Greek epic or the Mahabharata from India which similarly invoke a world of bravery against the powerful forces of enemies which come in numerous symbolic forms.
As we move beyond the prehistoric classics, even Shakespeare’s plays point to human foibles and errors – often called the fatal flaw – which is hubris or pride. At the core of his tragedies is the single fact that pride in humans inevitably leads to personal chaos. This is a lesson well learnt at any time or place.
Spirituality has lent itself its strength across geographical spaces. We think of Rumi, Kabir and Laozi, all of whom showed larger truths which could be understood through nature and even everyday life.
Central to this debate is whether any of these texts are relevant to the fast-paced world of social media, fake news and post truth. Perhaps the answer is that they are even more necessary today than at other times in literary history.
Think about it – when else did we need to know that, as humans, we need to be acutely aware of our limitations? In the age of Artificial Intelligence, this seems an important reminder.
What about the way we define good and evil and how transient these definitions can be? What is termed to be good at one time stops being so very soon. The debate of modernity and sustainability is a case in point. Development is good, but at what cost? Ancient texts have shown us that living with nature is important, not going against it.
A work becomes a classic if generations of readers come to it and get something new each time – something that seems relevant to their society and in their time. This is true of fables with timeless morals, folk tales that are similar across the world and point to deep seated human desires and needs, as well as fairy tales that point to human dreams and aspirations.
Whatever the genre, classical literature continues to speak to us in words that are beautiful and inspirational. That is why it is important to encourage younger readers to be introduced to these timeless tales.
Yet, these classics remain important readings for everybody, not just literature graduates. Classics from any part of the world showcase enduring human emotions, reflect on strategies and philosophies that help us understand our world, and even point to ways in which we can make sense of our changing universe.
It is not only that a classical text is literally immortal. It is more that they say something to us, whoever we are and wherever we may be. Gilgamesh, the famous Mesopotamian epic poem, for example, exalts the virtues of human valour and pride of community when set against forces that threaten these values. This is similar to the Iliad, the famous Greek epic or the Mahabharata from India which similarly invoke a world of bravery against the powerful forces of enemies which come in numerous symbolic forms.
As we move beyond the prehistoric classics, even Shakespeare’s plays point to human foibles and errors – often called the fatal flaw – which is hubris or pride. At the core of his tragedies is the single fact that pride in humans inevitably leads to personal chaos. This is a lesson well learnt at any time or place.
Spirituality has lent itself its strength across geographical spaces. We think of Rumi, Kabir and Laozi, all of whom showed larger truths which could be understood through nature and even everyday life.
Central to this debate is whether any of these texts are relevant to the fast-paced world of social media, fake news and post truth. Perhaps the answer is that they are even more necessary today than at other times in literary history.
Think about it – when else did we need to know that, as humans, we need to be acutely aware of our limitations? In the age of Artificial Intelligence, this seems an important reminder.
What about the way we define good and evil and how transient these definitions can be? What is termed to be good at one time stops being so very soon. The debate of modernity and sustainability is a case in point. Development is good, but at what cost? Ancient texts have shown us that living with nature is important, not going against it.
A work becomes a classic if generations of readers come to it and get something new each time – something that seems relevant to their society and in their time. This is true of fables with timeless morals, folk tales that are similar across the world and point to deep seated human desires and needs, as well as fairy tales that point to human dreams and aspirations.
Whatever the genre, classical literature continues to speak to us in words that are beautiful and inspirational. That is why it is important to encourage younger readers to be introduced to these timeless tales.