Why read the classics? Well . . .
A new book-reading group from Penguin recommends the top ten classics that everyone should read. The reason to read them?
Why read classic works of literature? There are a myriad of reasons, just one of which is to catch the numerous references that appear in movies, television, politics, and throughout pop culture. In the above video, you can see a trailer for a short film we produced showing what happens to a hapless young suitor who hasn’t read our Essential Classics.
That was disappointing . . . read the classics so you can follow popular culture references (which pop culture artifact references Oedpius beyond the already known sleeping with mom or maybe tearing ones eyes out gag?). I would have had a lot more respect for the outside chance of impressing women or making people feel bad about themselves when you drop little literary bombs on a conversation.
Happily, I was pleased to find I had read all but The Inferno. But even then, I’ve bought several copies of The Divine Comedy’s various volumes over the years with serious, I mean serious, intent to read them. I feel good about that. And you know what? I don’t actually know any references from Dante (aside from the uncommitted cursed to chasing a blank banner — I like that one), so I may be missing a whole bunch of references in 24 or The Unit.
Speaking of 24, Season 7 of Jack Damnit Bauer is my current exercise motivation. Jack has been exposed to some weaponized bionanotechnocellulonucleo whoozeewhatsit and is, apparently, waiting to die, wishing he could lead a mission but knowing that that would endanger the mission and the men on it. He is already dead. Positively Shakespearean. Good night sweet prince.