[toronto353]

(Original post by DebatingGreg)
Yes, I'm doing Latin at school. Generally speaking, I much prefer learning Latin to a modern language, partly because you go at a much faster pace and therefore learn more on the structure of the language early on, but mainly because of the culture intertwined with it. I probably wouldn't dare read any Classical Literature if it hadn't been for Latin, nor took terrible interest in its philosophy.

Nice to meet a fellow classicist then. I was the same as you, but when learning Latin in school, I didn't care too much for the culture, but for how the language worked. There isn't a great deal to the structure of the language after a while really. GCSE covers a lot of the linguistics and A level just about covers all you need to know for a degree. I'm not into the philosophy too much, but I have read bits of Plato and Xenophon in Greek. What have you read then?

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

(Original post by xXedixXx)
I've tried Molson "Canadian" and Moosehead, and I have to say that I prefer Molson "Canadian". Both are nice but that's my personal preference, the opposite from you. :P

I'm older than you and I tend to the view that you develop a taste for ale over time. Lager is fine but eventually you just want rid of the gas. In which case you move from Canadian through Moosehead to beers like Maudite (in Quebec at least).

[toronto353]

(Original post by JPKC)
She's more anthropology centred, are you more interested in the bigger events (politics etc.)? Her Pompeii book was hilarious/a great accompaniment to visiting the place.

My interests lie (somewhat ironically in this place) in ancient drama particularly Greek tragedy. I'm also interested in the development of Greek lyric poetry. The politics is interesting, but only to an extent for me. I always preferred Roman politics to Greek politics.

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

(Original post by tehFrance)
Sarkozy 2012

Touché but seriously your guy, he ain't winnin' no election.

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

(Original post by toronto353)
My interests lie (somewhat ironically in this place) in ancient drama particularly Greek tragedy. I'm also interested in the development of Greek lyric poetry. The politics is interesting, but only to an extent for me. I always preferred Roman politics to Greek politics.

Haha. Confirms the stereotype of classicists amongst historians.

[toronto353]

(Original post by obi_adorno_kenobi)
Touché but seriously your guy, he ain't winnin' no election.

Agreed.

(Original post by obi_adorno_kenobi)
Haha. Confirms the stereotype of classicists amongst historians.

The field of classics is a huge field though and many interested in the history simply study ancient history. Classics is about the literature for me because I have been taught predominantly about the language, but for those taught about the history, the literature isn't as important.

[xXedixXx]

(Original post by obi_adorno_kenobi)
I'm older than you and I tend to the view that you develop a taste for ale over time. Lager is fine but eventually you just want rid of the gas. In which case you move from Canadian through Moosehead to beers like Maudite (in Quebec at least).

Well to an extent I agree with you, I prefer bitter to larger; but I thought ales were rather non-existent in North America?

[JPKC]

(Original post by toronto353)
My interests lie (somewhat ironically in this place) in ancient drama particularly Greek tragedy. I'm also interested in the development of Greek lyric poetry. The politics is interesting, but only to an extent for me. I always preferred Roman politics to Greek politics.

Coincidence that as I write I'm contemplating a paragraph on Antigone's opening scene for an essay. Any ideas on 'what themes the dialogue conveys'?

[tehFrance]

(Original post by obi_adorno_kenobi)
Touché but seriously your guy, he ain't winnin' no election.

He will win... otherwise I want my 'donations' back

[AntisthenesDogger]

(Original post by toronto353)
Agreed.




The field of classics is a huge field though and many interested in the history simply study ancient history. Classics is about the literature for me because I have been taught predominantly about the language, but for those taught about the history, the literature isn't as important.

I wouldn't really agree with that. At degree level, the addendum to the study is primarily literature. Earlier on you will have to learn about the historical axioms, in order to understand the culture in the prose.

I'm more a Hellenic classicist though, rather than Roman.

[toronto353]

(Original post by JPKC)
Coincidence that as I write I'm contemplating a paragraph on Antigone's opening scene for an essay. Any ideas on 'what themes the dialogue conveys'?

Civil disobedience; the right and laws of man vs. the right and laws of the gods; family duties vs. duties to the state; fulfilling what is owed to the dead and the hot-headedness of Antigone vs. the rationality of Ismene (quite a Sophoclean theme moderation vs. a lack of moderation - compare with Ajax and Trachiniae in particular).

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

(Original post by xXedixXx)
Well to an extent I agree with you, I prefer bitter to larger; but I thought ales were rather non-existent in North America?

If by "North America" you mean that rebellious bit with a penchant for electing bad politicians then sure. However, in Canada you can find ale in several places. It's not Yorkshire Bitter, but then neither is most Yorkshire Bitter these days. Quebec is the place to look for it.

[toronto353]

(Original post by AntisthenesDogger)
I wouldn't really agree with that. At degree level, the addendum to the study is primarily literature. Earlier on you will have to learn about the historical axioms, in order to understand the culture in the prose.

I'm more a Hellenic classicist though, rather than Roman.

I don't deal with prose though so the history isn't particularly needed. As I say, my interests are Greek drama and Greek lyric. For prose it is terribly important to know your history, but my experience from my degree is that it depends what you're interested in as to how critical the history is. I learn and research some of the context, but literature is my primary motivation.

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

(Original post by toronto353)
The field of classics is a huge field though and many interested in the history simply study ancient history. Classics is about the literature for me because I have been taught predominantly about the language, but for those taught about the history, the literature isn't as important.

It is indeed huge but so many classicists faff about with the literature! It's like they want to be English lit students but fancied being "edgy". Postmodern and all that.

[JPKC]

(Original post by toronto353)
Civil disobedience; the right and laws of man vs. the right and laws of the gods; family duties vs. duties to the state; fulfilling what is owed to the dead and the hot-headedness of Antigone vs. the rationality of Ismene (quite a Sophoclean theme moderation vs. a lack of moderation - compare with Ajax and Trachiniae in particular).

Probably bumped my mark up there, several of those wouldn't have occurred to me.

[AntisthenesDogger]

(Original post by JPKC)
Coincidence that as I write I'm contemplating a paragraph on Antigone's opening scene for an essay. Any ideas on 'what themes the dialogue conveys'?

Any ideas? It basically tells you.

Integrity of self virtue in the face of execution (Something promoted by philosophers of the day, especially Aristotle)

Adherence to the notion of the "Social contract" which is in motion with Antigone's rebuke of the law against burying the slain brother.

Apathetic nature of the "chorus" whom watch Antigone, knowing she begs only the wrath of Creon.

Just read the opening scene?

[toronto353]

(Original post by obi_adorno_kenobi)
It is indeed huge but so many classicists faff about with the literature! It's like they want to be English lit students but fancied being "edgy". Postmodern and all that.

For some reason I was never any good with English Literature, but classical literature clicks. I'm interested in the languages more than anything and then the texts. There are some overtly 'you know that I should have been studying English literature' classicists around, but I'm glad to say that I'm not one of them.

(Original post by JPKC)
Probably bumped my mark up there, several of those wouldn't have occurred to me.

You're welcome. Antigone is a great play. What are you studying then?

[toronto353]

(Original post by AntisthenesDogger)
Any ideas? It basically tells you.

Integrity of self virtue in the face of execution (Something promoted by philosophers of the day, especially Aristotle)

Adherence to the notion of the "Social contract" which is in motion with Antigone's rebuke of the law against burying the slain brother.

Apathetic nature of the "chorus" whom watch Antigone, knowing she begs only the wrath of Creon.

Just read the opening scene?

The chorus may not have been on stage during the opening scene though. The chorus may have entered after the 'prologue' (as much as I hate using the act division it comes in useful here) so your last point may not be entirely relevant.

[obi_adorno_kenobi]

(Original post by toronto353)
For some reason I was never any good with English Literature, but classical literature clicks. I'm interested in the languages more than anything and then the texts. There are some overtly 'you know that I should have been studying English literature' classicists around, but I'm glad to say that I'm not one of them.

I must admit that I find the classical world incredibly ... dull. But I'm a modernist (what socialist isn't) and a Marxian historian to boot, so I find it hard to wade through it all without finding it all a bit riven with the "great men of history" refrain of yesteryear. Mary Beard is awesome for what she has done in terms of making the ordinary accessible to lay audiences. Pity more classics wasn't like that.

[toronto353]

(Original post by obi_adorno_kenobi)
I must admit that I find the classical world incredibly ... dull. But I'm a modernist (what socialist isn't) and a Marxian historian to boot, so I find it hard to wade through it all without finding it all a bit riven with the "great men of history" refrain of yesteryear. Mary Beard is awesome for what she has done in terms of making the ordinary accessible to lay audiences. Pity more classics wasn't like that.

It is a shame that classics isn't more accessible. While there are translations, the language barrier is still a problem for some. Modern history is interesting as well, but I respect your opinion of the classical world even though I think that it is completely wrong.