3.01 Classics vs. Classical Literature

If you think collectively about all the English classes you've taken throughout school, you have probably read a good amount of literature. Maybe you've read some Edgar Allan Poe, Shakespeare, Aesop, Thomas Paine, or even Dante. You've probably read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Catcher in the Rye" and some excerpts from "The Bible" and maybe even "The Constitution."

So, have you ever considered who decides what we read in class and why? Of all the literature available, why does it seem like we sometimes read the same authors (or even pieces) repeatedly?

What makes something a classic? What's the difference between a classic piece of literature and classical literature? Are all classics worth studying? What about classical literature; is it worth our time today? These are the big questions we’ll consider in this module as we begin with classical literature, and throughout the course as engage in the active reading, analysis, and evaluation of various high-complexity texts.

Although the terms classic and classical are often used interchangeably, they actually refer to two distinct types of literature. While this may seem like a distinction without a difference, since we’re interested in the subtleties of language, it’s an important place to begin.

Consider this: some classical works are classics, but not all classics are classical.

Classical literature refers to the great masterpieces of Greek, Roman, and other ancient civilizations. The works of Homer, Ovid, and Sophocles are all examples of classical literature. The term isn't just limited to novels. It can also include epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy, pastoral, and other forms of writing. The study of these texts was once considered to be a necessity for students of the humanities.

Strictly speaking, Classical Literature refers to that which was written in the Classical Period, from 1200 BCE through 455 CE.

The Classical Period can further be divided into three main time periods:

1. The Homeric Period (1200 - 800 BCE)

As its name implies, the Homeric Period gave us the works of Homer, including The Iliad and The Odyssey.

2. Classical Greek Period (800 - 200 BCE)

The Classical Greep period includes writers and philosophers such as Aesop, Plato, and Sophocles, among others.

3. Classical Roman Period (200 BCE -455 CE) Playwrights of this time include the Roman comic dramatist Plautus, Ovid, Horace, and Virgil.

Classics, on the other hand, have a less formalized definition and the term is often used loosely. Classics can be hard to define, and thus the term has some ambiguity, but classics generally have common characteristics including a timeless and universal theme, and a memorable protagonist. Classics, while they are not confined to a specific historical period, have been judged to be of high quality over time.

While there is some overlap between the two, classical literature is generally seen as older and more historical, while classic literature is seen as having more universal appeal and significance.

Lombardi, Esther. "What's the Difference Between Classical and Classic Literature?" ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/what-is-classical-literature-739321.

3.01 Assessment:

Explain the difference between classical and classic literature.

Choose two pieces of classical literature and two classics that you’ve either read or with which you have some familiarity. In a well-developed paragraph explain the significance of each work and include your evaluation of its importance in the study of literature.