Ascend - The Great Books Podcast

Why You Should Read the Greek Plays with Ascend

Jan 1, 2025
Dive into the world of Greek plays and discover their relevance in exploring human experiences and philosophical themes. Unravel key concepts like justice, love, fate, and divinity while learning about iconic works such as 'The Bacchae' and 'Prometheus Bound.' Explore the tragic journeys of characters like Antigone and how they reflect timeless dilemmas. Transition to the lighter side with a glimpse into the comedic genius of Aristophanes, making ancient wisdom feel strikingly modern.
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INSIGHT

Why Read Greek Plays?

  • Greek plays explore perennial questions about the human condition.
  • They offer insights into justice, virtue, love, fate, and divinity.
INSIGHT

Bridging Homer and Plato

  • Greek plays bridge the intellectual gap between Homer and Plato.
  • They explore Homeric themes with greater depth and grammatical precision.
ADVICE

Read Hesiod's *Theogony*

  • Read Hesiod's Theogony to understand the genesis of the cosmos and the gods.
  • It offers insights into Eros, Zeus, and the structure of reality.
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