3 ms·

While the Euripides is an excellent counterpoint, you’re not acknowledging the clear rhetorical turn that started with the western novel (or shakespeare, I gues

• coldtea 8y ago
  That's the thing. While we don't deny the "clear rhetorical turn that started with the western novel (or shakespeare)", I (and I think the parent) believe that this turn was in fact a return (to what e.g. ancient Greek, Chinese, etc literature did: talk about feelings) and not some wholly new direction.
  • drb91 8y ago
    Greek literature doesn’t have THAT much feelings. There’s nothing remotely in the realm of Hamlet in all of ancient greek lit to my knowledge. Calling it a return is a massive stretch of the Euripides example—I always viewed his works more like sitcoms than having any realistic human characters.
    • deleted 8y ago
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    • chongli 8y ago
      Try Cassandra from the tragedy Agamemnon by Aeschylus. Her psychological torment from having her true predictions go unheeded is every bit as relatable as Hamlet's suffering for very similar reasons. She is an incredibly sympathetic person, not at all a sitcom character.
      • drb91 8y ago
        I’ll have to check it out! There’s also Sappho, although I’m much less surprised poetry is personal.