The hottest Classics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

That Mare is Mine!

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Narrative Traditions
  1. Iliad 23 is dedicated to honoring Patroklos through burial and funeral games, reflecting themes of heroism, politics, and narrative traditions.
  2. Funeral games in Greek narratives serve as settings to explore shared elite culture and establish identities through non-destructive competition.
  3. The funeral games in Iliad 23 provide a ritualized space for re-imagining politics, resolving conflicts, and showcasing Achilles' character growth.

Always Second Best (Or Worst)

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📚 Literature Classics Analysis Characterization Mythology Epic poetry
  1. Book 17 of the Iliad focuses on the characterization of Hektor, revealing his shortcomings as a warrior despite his reputation.
  2. The primary Trojan fighters like Hektor, Aeneas, and Sarpedon in the Iliad do not always live up to expectations on the battlefield, showcasing the complexities of warfare and heroism.
  3. Hektor's actions and interactions in book 17 highlight the themes of divine intervention, personal agency, and the inevitability of failure in the epic narrative.

Laying My Burdens Down

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Analysis Characters Themes
  1. Hektor imagines disarming to meet Achilles and make a truce, emphasizing pity and shame as softer moral norms.
  2. Hektor's longing for an equal relationship with Achilles shows a desire for a peaceful resolution, although their fate is driven by duty and rage.
  3. The interactions between Hektor, Achilles, and Patroklos create a complex web of emotional intensity and tragedy in the _Iliad_.

Dead and Gentle Forever

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
📚 Literature Classics Interpretation
  1. Briseis' lament in the Iliad provides insight into her character and serves as a foreshadowing of Achilles' fate.
  2. Briseis' evolving relationship with Achilles in the epic raises questions about the nature of their bond, revealing complexities and ambiguities.
  3. Briseis' character is instrumentalized in the Iliad to serve the narrative needs of Achilles, highlighting broader themes of women's agency and treatment in the story.
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Stop and Hear the Stories!

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎙 Podcasts Classics Literature Mythology
  1. The post discusses podcasts that delve into Homer, heroic patterns, and ancient literature, featuring engaging conversations and interpretations.
  2. There is a mention of various podcast appearances by the author, covering different aspects of Homer's works like the Iliad, Achilles, Paris, and their impact on modern culture.
  3. The author also references video content related to myths and explores the intersection of classic stories with contemporary media like movies.

Two perspectives on the liberal arts and the humanities

Heterodox STEM • 199 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🚌 Education Liberal Arts Humanities Literature Philosophy Classics
  1. Liberal arts education in the US may serve different purposes for elites and non-elites, with disparities in expectations and outcomes.
  2. Humanities education is seen as vital for a well-rounded education and understanding fundamental human questions and experiences.
  3. Reading classic literature may play a role in shaping perspectives and values, potentially reducing susceptibility to certain societal trends like 'wokeness'.

Dante's Medieval Transhumanist Fantasy

Banana Peel Pirouette • 118 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry Philosophy Classics Transhumanism Religion
  1. Dante's vision of heaven in 'Paradise' shares similarities with contemporary transhumanist ideas like digital immortality and superhuman knowledge.
  2. Both Dante's medieval perspective and modern transhumanist ideas emphasize the urgency of living to secure a better future, whether in heaven or in a digital afterlife.
  3. Dante and transhumanist engineers are committed rationalists but diverge in their approach to ideal futures, with bookish utopias focusing on intellectual bliss.

The Last Day of a Condemned Man—Reflections on Capital Punishment through Hugo, Dostoevsky, Camus, and Boethius

Vremya • 119 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
📚 Literature Classics Philosophy Ethics Social Issues Historical context
  1. Victor Hugo's novel, _The Last Day of a Condemned Man_, explores the deep emotional struggles of a man facing execution. It raises questions about the morality of the death penalty and encourages readers to empathize with those condemned.
  2. Albert Camus argues against capital punishment by challenging its effectiveness as a deterrent. He believes that improving living conditions and education could be better solutions for reducing crime.
  3. Dostoevsky and Boethius, both faced with potential execution, reflected on their experiences through writing and philosophy. They showed how facing death can lead to profound insights about life, justice, and the human condition.

Epic Narratives and their Local Sidekicks

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Narrative structure Ancient Texts
  1. Book 13 of the Iliad showcases lesser-known Homeric heroes like Idomeneus and Meriones, echoing the heroic pairs of other epics, highlighting the importance of these relationships in narrative structures.
  2. The pairing of heroes and their sidekicks allows audiences to see heroes in friendships, possibly providing commentary on characters who lack such relationships, like Hektor, showcasing a social and political deprivation.
  3. The rise of Idomeneus in Book 13 integrates Cretan myths into the Homeric narrative, demonstrating the Homeric strategy of incorporating local traditions and narrative patterns into epic storytelling.

Romeo & Juliet :: Adam & Eve

Kvetch • 36 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
📚 Literature Classics Poetry Drama Analysis Themes
  1. Both Romeo and Juliet and Adam and Eve reflect the theme of tragic love, where love leads to rebellion and ultimately to their demise. Their stories show how intense love can bring both joy and sorrow.
  2. Adam and Juliet demonstrate agency, as they each make choices that have significant impacts. Eve's decision to share the forbidden fruit with Adam shows her desire for unity, while Juliet's willingness to forsake her identity for love shows her strength.
  3. The stories of Adam and Eve and Romeo and Juliet are intertwined through themes of innocence, beauty, and the consequences of disobedience. Both couples experience a loss of innocence that leads to tragic outcomes.

Dolon and Achilles; Dolon AS Achilles

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
📚 Literature Classics Analysis Interpretation
  1. Scholars have differing views on the importance of Iliad 10 in the epic, with some questioning its traditional basis and relevance to the main story.
  2. Book 10 of the Iliad offers important insights into the themes of politics, heroism, and community, showcasing contrasts between different characters like Dolon and Achilles.
  3. The opening lines of the Iliad set the tone for the epic, focusing on the rage of Achilles, which evolves the story into a narrative about his anger and its impact on his own people.

99 Homeric Problems

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 79 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
📚 Literature Classics Interpretation Transmission
  1. The Homeric epics have been interpreted differently over time, and understanding this is crucial when studying them.
  2. The 'Homeric Question' involves debates about the authorship, oral tradition, and the reception of the epics.
  3. The transmission models, stages for the epic, and reception models offer insights into the complex history of the Homeric texts and how they were perceived over time.

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.

Merely the Third To Kill Me

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
📚 Literature Classics Narrative Techniques Character analysis Prophecy Epic poetry
  1. Patroklos' death in the Iliad is a pivotal moment that redirects Achilles' rage towards Hektor and explores themes of hubris and fate.
  2. The use of apostrophe in Homer, like directly addressing characters, creates emotional impact and immersion for the audience.
  3. Hektor's role in Patroklos' death raises questions about heroism, fate, and the ambivalence towards excellence in warfare.

Falling Asleep after Sex and Other Cosmic Problems

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Gender Dynamics Epic poetry Interpretation
  1. The scene of Zeus being seduced by Hera in the Iliad offers insights into divine cosmos, power dynamics, and themes of desire and limitations.
  2. The interaction between Zeus and Hera reflects on themes of succession, desire, and the disruption of divine order in the broader context of the Trojan War narrative.
  3. Comparisons between the Iliadic scene and the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite highlight the serious undertones of desire and its impacts on gods and humans in cosmic narratives.

A Heroic Tale Curtailed

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
📚 Literature Classics Narrative Performance Mythology
  1. Homeric poetry's characteristic of digressions and narrative explorations provides context and content to a larger world, reflecting how human memory works.
  2. The intricate meanings in Homeric narratives are collaborative developments in a dynamic context between composer and audience, capitalizing on human memory and cognition.
  3. The story of Othryoneus seeking Kassandra's hand in book 13 of the Iliad reflects themes of war, glory, and futility, with details that resonate through familiar storytelling traditions.

House Sitting in Kiev—Or Why I Read

Vremya • 479 implied HN points • 02 Jul 21
📚 Literature Fiction Non-fiction Poetry Classics Reading Culture
  1. House sitting in Kiev gave me a chance to explore the city and enjoy time alone. It was during this time that I rekindled my love for reading.
  2. I realized that reading is about personal freedom and self-discovery. The books we choose help shape who we are.
  3. It's important to choose what we read for ourselves rather than letting others dictate it. Everyone should have the freedom to explore different ideas and authors, even if they can be controversial.

Homer's Parents, Country, and True Name

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
📚 Literature Classics Mythology Scholarship Ancient Greece Poetry
  1. Homer's parentage and birthplace were subjects of debate in antiquity, with various conflicting claims made about his lineage, including being the son of different figures or from different regions.
  2. Homer's name is believed to have origins linked to tense political situations, where he was named after being a hostage or because he provided inspired war advice.
  3. Homeric poems were not necessarily composed as complete works but were performed in parts by rhapsodes, later compiled and ordered by various individuals, including Pisistratus the tyrant of Athens.

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.

Tyranny and the Plot

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
📚 Literature Classics Epic poetry Storytelling Performance Mythology
  1. Book 8 of the Iliad focuses on Zeus shaping the plot through divine council and speeches, emphasizing the influence of Gods and Humans in the narrative.
  2. Zeus's control of the plot showcases his authority and highlights the consequences of opposing him, reflecting a theme of power dynamics and storytelling.
  3. Scholars propose book divisions in the Iliad align with potential performances, with Zeus's speeches marking key moments and guiding the understanding of the epic's plot.

(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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Translation: Addendum

Logos • 0 implied HN points • 08 Jul 20
📚 Literature Poetry Translation Analysis Literary Criticism Classics
  1. Feedback is very helpful when translating poetry. It can highlight mistakes and suggest better wording.
  2. Choosing the right words in translation is important for keeping the original meaning and feeling. Small changes, like using 'melodies' instead of 'music', can make a difference.
  3. Each translation can be unique, and comparing different versions gives new insights. It's good to learn from others to improve your work.

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.