There is a huge discrepancy connecting the traditional literature and the modern literature. The classical literature is marked by a specific format and definitions. Most of the classical literature work often adhere to a specific format incorporating rhythms and meters. In the ancient writing, for instance in the Greek literature, most of the Greek writers spoke about the motivational forces like they were separate entities which were not part of their personal consciousness.
Human motivation is often the major raw material in literature, both modern and ancient. The human literature criteria have evolved from being about humans as the main subjects of fate to writing about the stories of humans as the wills of the gods rather than the results of fate. Besides, the stories evolve around the wills of humans and the impact they have in their environments. Modern literature is nowadays based on the impact of writing in the contemporary world. Besides, the writers aim to bring to the fore the practical world in which we live in regarding the periodic changes which include the technological advances that influence how people think and whatever activities they handle.
The differences in language used in literature are based on the shifts in the languages which is often influenced by the cultural differences and the cultural attitudes which is exercised by the person who holds the power. However, on the contrary, the popular culture often incorporates the postmodernist fiction and in most cases it is the explicit fictional subjects. Most of the modern literature authors use fictional characters to explain or to pass a point across. In most cases, an issue concerns the whole society.
Disguise as a theme can also be used to give a comparison between traditional literature and modern literature. First of all, it is important to look into disguise from the perspective of Odyssey. It is vivid that in Odyssey, the gods of Greek literature more often than not assumed different forms so as to commune with the humans. For instance, Athena appeared on earth in many forms. For instance, in the form of a little girl to Telemachus and to Mentor. Proteus on the other hand assumes many forms as well. For instance, he can assume water or fire in order to escape from being captured. From these, we can deduce that these forms of disguise were in some way used to hide the real identity of the characters so that they can play a good part in other character’s lives (Sanneh). Additionally, some disguised themselves in order to escape from danger of some sort. This literature can be compared to the literature in Putin’s Syrian revenge article. In this article, we can deduce that Russia went to Syria in disguise so as to destroy the political infrastructure that had been put in place in order to stabilize the country. Putin sent his army into Syria pretending to be helping the Syrian government fight the rebels and ISIL. However, this was not the case because it had an ill intention. Therefore, we can tell that in the traditional literature, disguise was used in a positive way. This is contrary to the modern literature where disguise is usually used to spread harm.
Revenge is a strong motivator all through the article. Poseidon’s anger directed towards Odysseus stems out from his son’s desire to avenge the loss of his eye. In another instance of revenge, Helios coerces with Zeus to destroy Odysseus’ crew to avenge the loss of his cattle. In traditional literature, revenge has been directed from one character to another. This feeling of vengeance is as a result of accumulated hatred towards another character because of his or her actions. Traditional literature has influenced greatly the modern literature with the modern authors borrowing ideas from Greek literature and making a few modifications to the styles. In comparison to revenge as a theme, we can compare revenge in Odysseus with revenge in the article named Putin’s Syrian revenge. According to this article, the authors brings out the fact that Putin had his own agenda. His attacks seemed to be directed at Syrian and not the rebels and ISIL. There is a difference in the way the theme has been brought out in the two cases. Unlike the traditional literature, modern literature goes straight to the point since authors do not use figurative language (Lipman et al.).
Appearance vs. reality is yet another theme that can be used to bring out the difference or similarity between traditional literature and contemporary literature. Nonetheless, this factor closely relate to disguise. Athena appears as Mentes to Telemachus so that she can inform the prince about the problems being faced in the palace. Her appearance as Mentor plays a big role in protecting the prince for encounters with murderous suitors. However, in the article, faking it, we are told of a story of Don Drapper, who used his handsomeness in manipulating both women and men. He is therefore scared of the fact that he will be identified and additionally cries about young executives physically attacking him by picking meat off his ribs (Nussbaum). From this, we can see that the authors in the contemporary literature always tried to bring out the negative aspect of certain acts. For instance, the case of Don Drapper. Therefore, we can state that the difference between the authors in the traditional literature often tried to be positive in most aspects. This is contrary to the contemporary literature where the authors always brought about negativity in a theme because of the evil existing in the modern society.
Works Cited
Lipman, Masha et al. "Putin’S Syrian Revenge - The New Yorker". The New Yorker. N.p., 2015. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.
Sanneh, Kelefa. "Blessings In Disguise - The New Yorker". The New Yorker. N.p., 2014. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.
Nussbaum, Emily. "Faking It - The New Yorker". The New Yorker. N.p., 2013. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.
