Introduction
Ancient Greek literature refers to the kind of literature that was written in the language of Ancient Greece from the time of the earliest texts to the time of the rise of the empire of Byzantine. The period of Greek literature stretches from the time of Homer to the time of the rise of Alexander the Great (Highet p.2). Mycenaean was the earliest Greek writings written on clay tablets using the Linear B syllabus. The Greek literature was well defined into literary genres that had an essential proper organization with both metrics and dialect. The ancient Greek literature involved epic poetry, lyric poetry, and drama that developed around the theater culture in Greece. Drama works were written in Attic dialect because it was developed in Athens. The greatest achievement of the ancient Greek literature was the development of Greek philosophers. A number of Greek philosophers such as Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle emerged and influenced the Western society. The influence of Ancient Greek Literature on Western literature has continuously grown over time.
Main body
The golden ancient Greek literature is most concentrated in the Asia Minor and the Greek Isles that ended nearly 2500 years ago, but it influence can still be felt in the current world. The western culture owes much to ancient myths and traditions (Littleton p. 600). In centuries, the only way to pass information was through storytelling making it the only way to pass information to generation but in aiding the memory of information the poet, legends and religious information was made into verse other would memories the and this make the information passed to generations. The Greek literature has continued to develop making the most common norm in the world use to transfer information from one generation to another.
The poem of the recent century has been developed into the plays where the poet memories some lines and present them in form a chorus or a poem. In the eight century, a poet preserve the information in writing making it making it the popular of spreading the information to the people around the world. The pioneer of literary is believed to be Homer, and his heroic poem of the Iliad and the Odyssey are the most popular work of this skilled poet. In the current world, the poem has become more sophisticated in that it can be done in a play. In the early years of the fifth century, the theater, culture and the literature began to blossom in that great advances was made in the art and science of literature. The Greek literature was affected because several distinct varieties of dramatic poetry can into being hence distorting the current literature.
The sophisticated methods of passing information were developed and therefore in the comic plays there’s a well elaborated character, plot, production techniques and character development was introduced (Powell p.383).
Considering the two type’s tragic play and the comic plays they are very different in content. The tragic plays was not sad at all but dealt with various complex, and they are earnestly dramatic again it deal with topics such as psychology, morality and philosophy. Comic play in the other is bawdily with raucous jokes, and its intention is to provoke laughter to the audience. Despite being humorous and light the comic play can be used to express serious and genuine social and political existence. The two types of play have benefited from innovations that have been introduced in the development of literature (Littleton p. 600). The contribution of playwright Aeschylus was very great, and it is still remembered as the Father of tragedy.
The playwright introduced the idea of multiple actors on the stage and also he also pioneered the use of costumes and the visual effect such as scenery and painting. Aeschylus was the first Greek dramatic followed by several powerful and talented playwrights that include the famous Sophocles and Euripides. Sophocles plays have featured strongly in the modern character majorly on the moral concerns and Euripides wrote some chilling psychological drama of classical Greece. In today playwright, Aristophanes is regarded as the best comic playwright he mixes the comedy with sincere and honest ideas. The world of philosophy has awakened because of the playwright in oration, polished rhetoric, logic and the study of science and mathematics has been encouraged through literature (Powell p.383). For instance, a playwright know as Aristotle text deal most with natural science, physics, meteorology, astronomy, sleeping pattern, raising animals and other popular topics. The books and dialogs of philosopher Socrates try to explain the philosophy and thought of his tutor and develop this idea further.
Conclusion
The Ancient Greek’s literature still has influence in the modern life in both thought and traditions (Highet p.2). The influences of Greek literature range from the histories to romance novels, and thriller movies to poetry all this has its roots in the Greek traditions. The themes of ancient plays are still popular in the modern literature still owe the techniques and style of Greek literature.
Work Cited
Littleton, Scott C. Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology: Vol. 6. Tarrytown, New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2005. Print.
Powell, John. Dictionary of Literary Influences: The Twentieth Century, 1914-2000. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2004. Internet resource
Highet, Gilbert. The Classical Tradition: Greek And Roman Influences On Western Literature New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
