Classical literature includes ancient works that have stood the test of time and are still widely read today. Some well-known examples are Virgil's Aeneid, Homer's Odyssey, Dante's Inferno, and William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Whether you're a student or just an avid reader looking to delve into classical literature, you might be wondering where to start. Familiarizing yourself with a text before reading it, using reading strategies to improve comprehension, and finding ways to reflect on the text can help you understand a work of classical literature.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Familiarize yourself with the text
Step 1. Read the summaries of the work
You can find descriptions or summaries of classic works of literature online, or you can read the back cover of the book to get a basic idea of what the story is all about. Knowing a little about the plot, characters, and setting can make it easier for you to follow through and understand the reading when you begin.
Just make sure you don't replace reading the text with summaries. Remember that a summary is someone else's interpretation of the facts. Although this is objective, it may contain some biases regarding the character's motives and the possible meanings of the events
Step 2. Learn about the historical period of a book
Understanding the era in which a book was written can make it easier or more difficult to read. By researching the historical events that are described in the book or that influenced its writing, you can gain a better understanding of the novel's narrative.
You can gain a quick understanding of a particular time or the author's life experiences by doing an online search
Step 3. Consider flipping through a book
If reading seems too difficult, you can also flip through a book or a work of classical literature. Doing so will help you gain a basic understanding of the plot, characters, setting, and concepts.
- Read the first and last paragraphs of each chapter to get an idea of what happens on the inside pages.
- Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph to get an idea of what happens in that chapter.
Step 4. Ask questions
If you know of someone who has already read this work of classical literature, asking them some basic questions can help. You can ask the person to give you an elementary explanation of the following elements:
- characters (people and sometimes animals in a work of fiction)
- the setting (the place, time and culture in which a novel takes place)
- the plot (the things that happen in the course of the novel)
- the theme (the underlying concept, idea, or belief that is present throughout the novel)
- the conflict (a difficulty that creates tension in the novel)
- the climax (the inflection point at which the tension, which creates the conflict, cannot increase any further and must be resolved)
- the narrator (the one who tells the story, it can be a character in the story or someone else)
Method 2 of 3: Improve Comprehension
Step 1. Take into account the possibility of reading an annotated edition
Many classical texts were written with a vocabulary or historical context that can confuse contemporary readers. Reading an annotated version, including additional information and explanations, is an easy way to assimilate a text that would otherwise be complicated.
In addition to reading an annotated text, try to have a dictionary or reading guide handy when you read the book. These supplemental materials can help you understand difficult terms and confusing chapters
Step 2. Start reading and keep reading
Even if you have trouble with the text, it is important that you keep reading it if you want to understand it. After continuing to read for some time, you will begin to become familiar with the language, setting, and characters.
- If you come across a difficult passage that you don't understand, bookmark the page and skip it for now. You can return to this when you have a basic understanding of the text.
- Skip footnotes during the first reading, as they can slow you down.
- Note that difficult texts often need to be read more than once. After you've read a work of classical literature once, the second reading will be much easier and the concepts that seemed confusing to you will make more sense.
Step 3. Make comments in the margins of the text
If you are trying to gain a better understanding of difficult text, underlining passages may not be enough. Instead, try commenting in the margins to fully absorb the text. The following comments or notes can help you better understand the material:
- Summarize the accompanying passages.
- Make annotations about passages that relate to other passages earlier or later in the text.
- Write (and answer) questions about anything you may not have understood.
- Accept or reject what a passage says.
Step 4. Try to read and learn with a group
Some readers learn best when they work in a group context. Joining a book club or enrolling in a literature class at your local college can give you the opportunity to discuss a novel with other readers and hear valuable input from the instructor.
- You can find book clubs in the area where you live by searching online.
- If you are unable to enroll in a class at your local university, you may want to consider taking a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC). These courses are usually free or very inexpensive, and are usually taught through prestigious educational institutions.
Method 3 of 3: Reflect on What You Have Read
Step 1. Write a summary or several
After you finish reading the text or a chapter, commit to writing a short summary of all the important events that have occurred. Limit yourself to half a page or less, and be sure to address the main points of the plot, how those points affected each character, and how that chapter fits into the overall context of the book.
Write the chapter summaries without looking at the text or your notes. In this way, you will check your understanding of what you have read
Step 2. Tell someone what you have read
Telling someone about something you have learned is a good way to gain a better understanding. If you have a friend who also has an interest in classical literature, you might consider talking to him about the text.
Even if you haven't finished reading a text yet, you can benefit from describing what has happened so far in your own words
Step 3. Watch a film adaptation
For many readers, visualizing the characters, setting, and plot points of a book makes it easier to assimilate the narrative. While watching a movie shouldn't be a substitute for reading the book itself, it can help you understand the book better.
For example, if you read a Shakespeare play, then watch a film version of it. Although some versions use creative staging and may eliminate some dialogue, you will be able to see much of the text come to life
Step 4. Read reviews and critical reviews of the book online
When you finish reading the text, it can be helpful to know other people's conclusions and interpretations. Go online and see if websites like Spark Notes and Cliffs Notes have valuable information about the book in question. These sites often have information on topics, symbols, characters, and much more, which can help you analyze the book at a deeper level.
Advice
- If you don't understand a word the author uses, look it up in the dictionary. Your vocabulary will grow and you will be able to have a more comprehensive understanding of what you read.
- If you read the translation of a book, look up different translations (unless you read the book for a class that requires you to read a certain version). Some versions may seem easier than others, especially if you have to choose between an early 19th century translation and a modern one, for example.