The hottest Classics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

All the (Epic) Rage: Free Tools for Reading Homer's Iliad

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
📚 Literature Classics Translation Tools Resources
  1. Translations of Homer's work can be creations of their own, offering unique insights and serving different audiences.
  2. Studying and understanding Homeric language and meaning requires repetition, reflection, and discussion with others.
  3. Online tools like the Scaife Viewer and the Homer Multitext Project provide valuable resources for studying Homer's works, offering lexicons, manuscripts, and commentaries.

(Re-)Starting the Trojan War

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 23 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Mythology Scholarship Narrative Traditions
  1. Book 3 of the Iliad provides examples of Homeric style through delays in the fighting and unconventional scenes.
  2. The dominant theme of the third book of the Iliad is the past, showcasing how the narrative weaves together different stories and traditions.
  3. Helen's role in creating a visual narrative sets the stage for the action in the Iliad, showing the interplay of characters and suffering in the Trojan War.

Time, Feet, and Serious Wounds

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
📚 Literature Classics Themes Analysis Narrative Traditions Characters
  1. Book 11 of the Iliad involves a day full of battle, highlighting themes of conflict, heroism, and the role of gods in ancient literature.
  2. The plot of Book 11 includes scenes such as the conflict renewed by Zeus, Achilles' response to the suffering of others, and Nestor's persuasive speech to urge Achilles back to war.
  3. The foot wound of Diomedes in Book 11 reflects a tradition of the Trojan War, introduces elements of myth and realism, and positions the Iliad as critically engaging with the epic tradition.

The Plight of Zoomers: An Empty Tradition

Trantor Publishing • 139 implied HN points • 06 Dec 22
📚 Literature Classics
  1. Understanding the meaning of a text requires cultural context and background knowledge.
  2. Classic literary works like Ancient Greek Literature and Shakespeare may become inaccessible or forgotten by younger generations.
  3. The transmission of traditional cultural knowledge to the Zoomer generation seems to be lacking, raising questions about what will be preserved for the future.

Divine Plots and Human Plans

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
📚 Literature Classics Themes Analysis Decisions Epic
  1. Book 7 of the Iliad can be divided into scenes involving divine intervention, a pivotal duel between Hektor and Ajax, and political assemblies leading to a temporary truce.
  2. Major themes in Book 7 include the complexities of gods and humans, heroism, and politics in Homeric storytelling.
  3. Homeric heroes struggle between fate and free will, with divine intervention affecting decisions and actions, providing insights into human psychology and the limits of knowledge.
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The Newest Song?

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
📚 Literature Classics Writing Public Engagement Subscription Model
  1. Painful Signs is a new Substack created by Joel Christensen to share longer essays and older idea renewals, focusing on ancient Greece and Rome, particularly the _Iliad_.
  2. The site will have both free and paid subscriptions, with free subscribers having access to shorter posts and paid subscribers gaining access to longer posts and the archive.
  3. All funds generated from paid subscriptions will be donated to non-profit organizations that support the study of the ancient world and prioritize public engagement, with annual statements about the fund allocation.

A Mosaic of Moments

Joe Tourville • 4 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
📚 Literature Classics Authors Introspection Reflection Prose
  1. Reading classics like 'Notes from Underground' can offer new insights with each reread as the reader ages.
  2. Literature can bridge the past and present, impacting the reader with timeless narratives and vivid imagery.
  3. Books like 'Notes from Underground' serve as reflections of society, inviting readers to ponder on universal themes and personal echoes.

When Antiquity Trained the Future

The Classical Futurist • 2 HN points • 03 Apr 23
🚌 Education History Philosophy Classics Literature Politics
  1. The Founding Fathers of the United States looked to Greek and Roman texts for models of virtue and practical wisdom.
  2. Studying history, particularly the Greek and Roman civilizations, offers valuable insights into governance, society, and human nature.
  3. Classics provide a self-contained simulation to explore questions about civilization and offer a unique perspective not fully captured by modern social sciences.

Litera chewer

the rohn report • 19 implied HN points • 01 Sep 20
📚 Literature Myths Storytelling Classics Culture
  1. Literature has been a form of entertainment and storytelling that dates back to ancient times, from oral recitations around campfires to written works like Homer's Odyssey, influencing cultures for thousands of years.
  2. Our modern means of content creation like social media with limited characters and emojis may lack the depth and richness of traditional literature and storytelling.
  3. Literature is seen as a powerful and transformative element of human culture, providing illumination for readers and catharsis for writers, considered one of humanity's greatest accomplishments.

GRANTED: Making small talk less painful, plus my favorite books to read this fall

Granted • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 16
📚 Literature Books Authors Reading Conversations Classics
  1. 1. Danish schools have a tradition where students share problems and help each other each week, showing empathy and happiness.
  2. 2. Hiring people who have faced failure can lead to success in bold endeavors, as seen in Amazon's strategy for its grocery delivery service.
  3. 3. Putting on a 'happy mask' at work can be draining, and being told to be happy doesn't necessarily make people feel upbeat.

Brief thoughts on Joyce's Ulysses

Facsimile No. 2 • 0 implied HN points • 17 Jan 21
📚 Literature Classics Analysis Critique Ranking Novel
  1. Reading Joyce's Ulysses can be challenging due to its cryptic writing and dense text but offers moments of beautiful prose that make the struggle worth it
  2. The episodes of Joyce's Ulysses range in style and difficulty, with each offering unique and sometimes obscure insights into the characters and narrative
  3. The novel delves into the subconscious of the characters in a psychedelic way, presenting a mix of sublime and occasionally disgusting experiences

Recapping Christmas 2023's Banner Year in Streaming

The Entertainment Strategy Guy • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Streaming Entertainment Classics Holiday
  1. Christmas films' ratings increased in 2023 compared to previous years, benefiting from the shift to streaming.
  2. Beloved Christmas classics like 'Home Alone' and 'Elf' saw high viewership in 2023.
  3. There was an absence of new Netflix family films in the top charts, suggesting a potential strategic change may be needed.