How my Research has Allowed me to Shape and in Depth Interest on Greek Literature

Originally I planned on my research paper topic to be Greek mythology. As I followed along with the researching process and finding articles and such I came across a lot of reading about Greek literature; especially the teachings of the ancient Greeks. Further in depth I am able to understand the impact the Greeks truly have on us today; or, rather what their legacy is to us. Within Greek literature, a plethora of questions are asked- both rhetorical and literal. However, the ancient Greeks did not have all of the answers. In fact, they failed many times. Using literature and art, they were able to articulate these persisting questions in a very passionate manner.

I really enjoyed reading more about how much of an influence of Homer; the unknown poet, the greatest literary figure of ancient Greece, the father of artistic culture in antiquity, on cultures all over the world today. Although any and all biographical information about Homer has been lost, it is still popularly speculated that he is the author of the two earliest known works of Western literature (the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey".) Just the idea that a literary figure, whom we don't have any proof of ever existing, always having such a highly influential impact around the world is so intriguing to me.

I have yet to read the Odyssey, which is said to emphasize ideals of bravery and honor. I am excited to see for myself the influence it has on Greek culture an education as well as Greek literature. I am also excited to read more about the different types of literature i.e. tragedy, comedy, history, oratory, philosophy, etc. etc. Literature is such a broad topic and I am specifically interested in how Greek literature alone has had such an impact on not only our modern literature today, but roman literature, and others as well.

I think the most inspiring thing, allowing me to want to write my research paper on Greek literature and the influence it has on the rest of the world would have to be the meaning of Greek literature to the Greeks; our lives are fragile and too precious too waste.  We do not know who we are until we take the time to discover who we can be. Hidden within us is a self we have yet to become... And it is almost as if it is the literature that allowed them to truly express this meaning and find who they could really be. The hidden movement behind the literature is what so deeply catches my interest. And I am very excited to create my research paper on this topic!