Week Two- Classical Literary Criticism Reflection

This week’s class focused on essentially the origins of western tradition and its’ roots in Greek criticism.  I thought that the part of the discussion that focused on Helen was interesting, because Helen really was a two timing hussy. She may be thought of to be more of a victim of male conquering, but I feel that she knew what she was doing. She was just a silly girl who would get caught up in the attention that hunky men in metal breastplates were giving her.  Having not seen ‘Troy’, I only had a vague memory of the story, but I found that this helped in refreshing my memory.

I also enjoyed the conversation on Plato.  I found it fascinating that Plato and Socrates were seemingly so against poetry.  It is cited that the thing that the find most offensive is mimesis (imitation or representation) in poetry, because “poetry cannot depict truth and teach morality and that it is irrational-based on inspiration, not knowledge” (7).  Socrates even recommends “that it be banished from the ideal society, except perhaps for poetry that praises the gods and avoids representing them in an unseemly fashion” (7).  What I got from it is that Plato was more concerned with substance and ethics over aesthetics.   Personally, I am fascinated by the beauty in eloquence, even if it is not necessarily substantial (or praising of any gods).  I do think that Plato is a wise man. He has made some great points, such as:

On the subject of Greek philosophers, I am constantly amazed at the impact they have had on the world and the way people think. The wisdom of so few people have trickled down and reached the masses.  Their way of thinking became the basis for so many modern ways of thinking.  The cave inspired one of the most insane movie franchises ever.  Plato and crew definitely had one of the greatest impacts on our society.  They have also inspired a really well done web comic.  

Word Count: 335

Works Cited

"Horrible Histories: Helen of Troy." YouTube. BBC, 6 June 2009. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VgEpl3qd8o>.

Leitch, Vincent B. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton &, 2010. Print.

Russell, Matt, and Nick Gibb. Dead Philosophers in Heaven -. Web. 04 Feb. 2011. <http://www.dead-philosophers.com/>.